Investigating the Solar System with Isotope Cosmochemistry
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: Earth Atmospheric and Env Sciences
Abstract
We focus on the prehistory, formation and evolution of our solar system, to understand whether planets like our Earth, capable of supporting life, are common. To do this we pioneer new technology and apply it to samples of extraterrestrial material, notably samples from space missions and meteorites, (fragments of planets and asteroids that reach the Earth). Our solar system formed by collapse of a cloud of dust and gas in interstellar space. We can find out what our sun's parent cloud was like by studying presolar grains - particles of dust from the cloud that have been preserved inside meteorites. Each grain formed around a dying star, so they reveal the history of the galaxy before our sun formed and how the elements of our everyday world were made in previous generations of stars. They also experienced shocks from exploding stars as they floated through galactic space. Comparing these grains with those entering the solar system today (returned by the Stardust mission) will let us to see how galactic dust has changed over the last 5 billion years. We also study our sun's birth place through traces of radioactive decay preserved in meteorites. The decay occurred so quickly that radioactive material must have been made shortly before the sun began to form, so the sources - massive stars - must have died nearby relatively recently. From these traces we learn how the stars made material and how it was mixed into their surroundings. This radioactive decay in the early solar system also lets us measure the time between events as asteroids and planets formed. In meteorites we have snapshots of stages in the life of the first asteroids that tell us how long it took them to grow, heat up, form cores and rocky mantles, and cool. Material that the Stardust mission returned will tell us if comets played a major role in providing our Earth with volatiles. Volatiles (things that condense at low temperature, like water) are essential for life, and meteorites let us understand how they behaved on the first asteroids. The sun's mass dominates the solar system, so it defines the bulk composition. The Genesis mission returned a solar wind sample, allowing us to measure this composition and so tell where the Earth's varies. This will also help us understand how our planet grew in its current form. We know planets incorporated volatiles into their interiors - on Earth and Mars volcanoes have released massive amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere. But when rocks are heated or melted as a planet forms they ought to lose volatiles very quickly, so why do planetary interiors contain any volatiles at all? There are two ideas. Some people think volatiles dissolved into a molten planetary surface from a massive early atmosphere that had been captured by gravity, others that volatiles trapped in the material from which the planet was built could not escape easily. Neon can act as a fingerprint that will allow us to identify the culprit, once we have understood the neon composition trapped in meteorites. The story wasn't complete once planets were assembled. Terrestrial planets like our Earth have been affected by many processes since they formed. These processes can be studied through the traces they have left on samples such as meteorites from Mars and the Moon. By studying martian meteorites we can understand the timing of fluid flows on the martian surface and what sort of environment these fluids had come from. In particular, we can compare them with terrestrial fluids and seek evidence of the effects of life. By looking at lunar samples we can supplement the information gained from the Apollo missions and better understand the massive cratering events and volcanic processes that shaped the familiar face of the full Moon.
Publications
Mohapatra R
(2009)
Noble gas and nitrogen isotopic components in Oceanic Island Basalts
in Chemical Geology
Murphy D
(2010)
In search of a hidden long-term isolated sub-chondritic 142Nd/144Nd reservoir in the deep mantle: Implications for the Nd isotope systematics of the Earth
in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Pujol M
(2011)
Chondritic-like xenon trapped in Archean rocks: A possible signature of the ancient atmosphere
in Earth and Planetary Science Letters
ROBINSON K
(2012)
Basaltic fragments in lunar feldspathic meteorites: Connecting sample analyses to orbital remote sensing
in Meteoritics & Planetary Science
Rost D.
(2011)
ANALYSIS OF SECTIONED AEROGEL TRACKS OF COMET WILD 2 PARTICLES WITH C60-TOF-SIMS
in METEORITICS & PLANETARY SCIENCE
Schönbächler M
(2010)
Heterogeneous accretion and the moderately volatile element budget of Earth.
in Science (New York, N.Y.)
Sears D
(2009)
Mass-independent fractionation of oxygen isotopes in the mesostasis of a chondrule from the Semarkona LL3.0 ordinary chondrite
in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Shearer C
(2010)
Non-basaltic asteroidal magmatism during the earliest stages of solar system evolution: A view from Antarctic achondrites Graves Nunatak 06128 and 06129
in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Smith A
(2011)
Lunar Net-a proposal in response to an ESA M3 call in 2010 for a medium sized mission
in Experimental Astronomy
Spring N.
(2011)
THE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF PHASE Q TO PYRIDINE: ARE CI CHONDRITES UNIQUE?
in METEORITICS & PLANETARY SCIENCE
Spring N.
(2010)
ISOTOPE STUDY OF INTERPLANETARY DUST PARTICLES FROM FIVE DUST COLLECTIONS
in METEORITICS & PLANETARY SCIENCE
Spring N. H.
(2012)
A COMPARATIVE NANOSIMS AND RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY STUDY OF 26 INTERPLANETARY DUST PARTICLES (IDPS).
in METEORITICS & PLANETARY SCIENCE
Spring N. H.
(2011)
CARBON RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY: NATURAL AND EXPERIMENTALLY-INDUCED VARIATIONS IN IDPS
in METEORITICS & PLANETARY SCIENCE
Strashnov I
(2013)
81 Kr-Kr cosmic ray exposure ages of individual chondrules from Allegan
in Meteoritics & Planetary Science
Strashnov I
(2011)
RIMSKI-A RESONANCE IONIZATION MASS SPECTROMETER FOR DETERMINATION OF KRYPTON ISOTOPE RATIOS OF EXTRATERRESTRIAL SAMPLES
in METEORITICS & PLANETARY SCIENCE
Strashnov I
(2009)
Hyperfine structure induced isotopic effects in krypton resonance ionization mass spectrometry
in Optics Communications
Strashnov I
(2014)
Resonance ionisation mass spectrometry of krypton and its applications in planetary science
in Hyperfine Interactions
Strashnov I
(2013)
Times of impacts that deliver samples of Vesta to Earth derived from ultrasensitive 81Kr-Kr cosmic ray exposure age analysis of Eucrites
in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Strashnov I
(2011)
A resonance ionization time of flight mass spectrometer with a cryogenic sample concentrator for isotopic analysis of krypton from extraterrestrial samples
in Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry
Strashnov I
(2009)
Controlling isotopic effects in the resonance ionisation mass spectrometry of krypton
in Applied Physics B
Strashnov I
(2009)
Tunable VUV light generation for resonance ionization mass spectrometry of Krypton
in Optics Communications
Strashnov I.
(2011)
ULTRASENSITIVE DETERMINATION OF
81Kr-Kr COSMIC RAY EXPOSURE AGES OF EUCRITES AND BUNBURRA ROCKHOLE
in METEORITICS & PLANETARY SCIENCE
Sumino H
(2010)
Seawater-derived noble gases and halogens preserved in exhumed mantle wedge peridotite
in Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Theis K
(2013)
Palladium-silver chronology of IAB iron meteorites
in Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Theis K. J.
(2012)
PALLADIUM-SILVER ISOTOPE SYSTEMATICS OF THE ORDINARY CHONDRITE ALLEGAN (H5) AND THE ACAPULCOITE DHOFAR 125
in METEORITICS & PLANETARY SCIENCE
Turner G
(2013)
Short lived 36Cl and its decay products 36Ar and 36S in the early solar system
in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Turner G.
(2011)
EVIDENCE FOR EXTINCT
36Cl FROM EXCESS
36Ar IN ALLENDE SODALITE
in METEORITICS & PLANETARY SCIENCE
Vollmer C
(2014)
Fluid-induced organic synthesis in the solar nebula recorded in extraterrestrial dust from meteorites.
in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Vollmer C.
(2012)
GENTLE ABERRATION-CORRECTED STEM ANALYSIS OF
15N- AND D-HOTSPOTS IN CHONDRITIC SAMPLES.
in METEORITICS & PLANETARY SCIENCE
Weider S
(2011)
Planetary X-ray fluorescence analogue laboratory experiments and an elemental abundance algorithm for C1XS
in Planetary and Space Science
Weider S
(2012)
The Chandrayaan-1 X-ray Spectrometer: First results
in Planetary and Space Science
Williams N. H.
(2012)
POTENTIAL NUCLEOSYNTHETIC SOURCES OF THE TITANIUM ISOTOPE VARIATIONS IN SOLAR SYSTEM MATERIALS.
in METEORITICS & PLANETARY SCIENCE
Xue Z
(2012)
A new methodology for precise cadmium isotope analyses of seawater.
in Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry
Zega T
(2010)
Mineral associations and character of isotopically anomalous organic material in the Tagish Lake carbonaceous chondrite
in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Description | Our research programme specialises in developing new analytical instrumentation to address scientific problems that cannot be addressed elsewhere. As a consequence we have developed the world's most sensitive instruments for analysing xenon and krypton as well as time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometers with unique properties. These have been applied to address the questions of volatile abundances in samples returned by the NASA space missions Genesis and Stardust as well wider questions on the formation of interplanetary dust particles, presolar grains and primitive planetary bodies in the early solar system. |
Exploitation Route | The technologies and analytical techniques have been applied to other areas of scientific research such as nuclear forensics. The scientific outcomes have informed other research groups around the world and our own, leading to on-going research programmes. |
Sectors | Education,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
URL | http://www.seaes.manchester.ac.uk/our-research/research-areas/pes/isotope-geochemistry-and-cosmochemistry/ |
Description | STFC quota PhD studentships |
Amount | £134,396 (GBP) |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2010 |
End | 08/2014 |
Description | UKCAN |
Organisation | Imperial College London |
Department | Department of Earth Science & Engineering |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Contributed expertise and instrument time |
Collaborator Contribution | Joint scientific research and shared scientific samples, collaboration on instruments and programmes |
Impact | Publications, collaborative analytical programmes on important scientific samples, raising significant funding from home institutions for analytical instruments for the work. |
Start Year | 2006 |
Description | UKCAN |
Organisation | Natural History Museum |
Department | Meteorites |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Contributed expertise and instrument time |
Collaborator Contribution | Joint scientific research and shared scientific samples, collaboration on instruments and programmes |
Impact | Publications, collaborative analytical programmes on important scientific samples, raising significant funding from home institutions for analytical instruments for the work. |
Start Year | 2006 |
Description | UKCAN |
Organisation | Open University |
Department | Planetary and Space Sciences Research Institute |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Contributed expertise and instrument time |
Collaborator Contribution | Joint scientific research and shared scientific samples, collaboration on instruments and programmes |
Impact | Publications, collaborative analytical programmes on important scientific samples, raising significant funding from home institutions for analytical instruments for the work. |
Start Year | 2006 |
Description | Blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Created a blog to disseminate the results and excitement of our research to the public Requested use of our published materials on other science blogs |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011,2012,2013 |
Description | CREST judges |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | School pupils developed projects which were judged and discussed Repeated invitations to participate in annual events. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012 |
Description | Course for industry |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | 60 members of industry and Universities in the North-West attended a short course and discussion meeting on inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry strengthened links between University blue skies research and local industry |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
Description | Courses for the public |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | General courses for the public on introductions to the sciences run by the University Public members who have joined astronomical societies |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009,2010,2011,2012 |
Description | Day Schools |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Approx 50 pupils attended a day school run by members of the research group to give a hands no introduction to space science Repeat events and follow up |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008,2009,2010 |
Description | MS@Manchester |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Workshop Facilitator |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Contributor to MS@Manchester, an umbrella organisation to foster interaction between University reearch and UK industry High profile one day meetings with sponsorship and participation from industry |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010,2011,2012 |
Description | Public lectures |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Numerous public lectures (approx 30 in 6 years) by many different members of the research group to amateur Astronomical Societies, science festivals, schools etc Greater public and school child awareness of research area |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013 |
Description | Radio interviews |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Local radio interviews describing research Repeated requests for subsequent interviews |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012 |
Description | STEM Ambassadors |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | 6 group members are STEM Ambassadors taking part in outreach events such as 'Meet the Scientist' requests for repeat events |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012 |
Description | Science Fairs |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Participation by large numbers of people to 'Meet the Scientist' and look at meteorite and lunar samples. repeated requests for further participation |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008,2009,2010,2011,2012 |
Description | Stargazing Live 2013, 2014, 2015 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Workshop Facilitator |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Put on demonstrations and engagement activities for the public and school children as part of the BBC Stargazing Live series of programmes. 2013 - BBC Stargazing Live Major exhibit by research group and appearance on stage in 4 presentations on solar system science. 3000 visitors. 2014 - Stargazing Live/Saturday Science 2300 visitors 2015 - Stargazing Live/PI: Platform for Investigation Engagement with the public |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011,2012,2013 |