Understanding Origins at the Open University (UO@OU)
Lead Research Organisation:
The Open University
Department Name: Physical Sciences
Abstract
Our research project is called Understanding Origins at the Open University; the origins that we wish to study are those of the Solar System, and how it evolved to allow life to arise. We already know a lot about how the Solar System came into being. The Sun and planets formed from a turbulent cloud of dust and gas about 4570 million years ago. The cloud collapsed, and as it flattened to a spinning disk, dust and gas spiralled inwards. The core of the disk became extremely hot, forming the Sun, and the leftover dust and gas formed the planets of our Solar System. Closest to the Sun are the small rocky planets, further away are the outer giant planets of gas and ice, separated by the Asteroid Belt: millions of objects made of rock,metal and organics. Collisions between asteroids cause fragments to be thrown out from the Asteroid Belt; occasionally falling to Earth as meteorites, or causing larger, more devastating impacts. In the outer Solar System, the temperature was sufficiently cold to allow water to solidify to ice. Comets (bodies of ice and dust mixed with organic compounds) are the left-over building blocks of the outer planets. If we know all this about our Solar System, what is there still to learn? We plan to study in detail certain aspects of Solar System history - what was the original dust made from that produced comets? What types of organic compounds were present? How have they been changed by collisions and radiation from the Sun and other stars? How has the ice been altered? We want to know about asteroids - how many small ones are there? what are their shapes, spin rates,and physical structures and how do they evolve?. Answers to these questions will help us understand better the chances of the Earth being hit by one - and maybe help us plan what to do about it. What are asteroids made from? Some asteroids got so hot that they melted and separated into bodies with metal cores and rocky crusts - how do they relate to asteroids that were never molten? Why are some unmelted meteorites rich in metal, whilst others are just rock? All these questions will help us understand the original cloud of gas and dust within which the planets formed, and which also contained the building blocks of life. Could life have got going on any other planets as well as Earth? What about Mars? Its crust was once cut by rivers and glaciers, but is now dry and dusty. The rivers produced minerals that can be seen by from satellites that orbit Mars. We also have rocks from Mars on Earth - chunks broken from the planet by asteroids hitting the surface. We can analyse the constituent minerals and learn about the water that produced some of them. We can also look for signatures of past biological activity has altered the rocks. But how do we start to answer these questions? In our laboratories, we use sensitive equipment to analyse meteorites that have come from the Asteroid Belt and from Mars. We study dust collected from high in the Earth's atmosphere and directly from a comet during a space mission. We do experiments to mimic some of the processes that asteroids and comets have suffered (e.g., being hit in collisions), and we use computers to make models of how asteroids and comets are affected by heat and by the Sun's radiation. We also collect data using instruments mounted on telescopes, and on spacecraft orbiting Mars. We build our own instruments to fly on space missions, and are constantly trying to make them smaller and lighter. We also explore ways in which some of the instruments can be used on Earth, for medical or security purposes. One of the most important benefits of our research is that it helps to train and inspire students to become the next generation of scientists and engineers. We also enjoy telling as many people as possible about the work that we do, and what we have learned from it about our origins.
Organisations
Publications
Galluzzi V
(2016)
Geology of the Victoria quadrangle (H02), Mercury
in Journal of Maps
GARDNER-VANDY K
(2011)
Petrology and geochemistry of the Northwest Africa 3368 eucrite
in Meteoritics & Planetary Science
Gardner-Vandy K
(2012)
The Tafassasset primitive achondrite: Insights into initial stages of planetary differentiation
in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Ghail R
(2011)
EnVision: taking the pulse of our twin planet
in Experimental Astronomy
Giesting P
(2015)
Igneous and shock processes affecting chassignite amphibole evaluated using chlorine/water partitioning and hydrogen isotopes
in Meteoritics & Planetary Science
Gilmour I
(2013)
A high-resolution nonmarine record of an early Danian hyperthermal event, Boltysh crater, Ukraine
in Geology
Gnos E
(2013)
The Wabar impact craters, Saudi Arabia, revisited
in Meteoritics & Planetary Science
Gowen R
(2011)
Penetrators for in situ subsurface investigations of Europa
in Advances in Space Research
Grady M. M.
(2014)
The Jbilet Winselwan Carbonaceous Chondrite 2. Light Element Geochemistry: Strengthening the Link Between CM and CO Meteorites?
in 77th Annual Meeting of the Meteoritical Society
Grady M. M.
(2014)
The Mantle, Crust and Atmosphere of Mars as Illuminated by the Light Element Geochemistry of NWA 7034
in 45th Annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference
Greenwood R
(2012)
Oxygen isotope variation in primitive achondrites: The influence of primordial, asteroidal and terrestrial processes
in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Gross J
(2013)
Petrography, mineral chemistry, and crystallization history of olivine-phyric shergottite NWA 6234: A new melt composition
in Meteoritics & Planetary Science
Grün E
(2012)
Active Cosmic Dust Collector
in Planetary and Space Science
HAACK H
(2012)
Maribo-A new CM fall from Denmark
in Meteoritics & Planetary Science
Hallis L
(2012)
Hydrogen isotope analyses of alteration phases in the nakhlite martian meteorites
in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Hallis L
(2014)
Trace-element modelling of mare basalt parental melts: Implications for a heterogeneous lunar mantle
in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Harris A
(2013)
The European Union funded NEOShield project: A global approach to near-Earth object impact threat mitigation
in Acta Astronautica
Herd C
(2013)
An igneous-textured clast in the Peace River meteorite: insights into accretion and metamorphism of asteroids in the early solar system
in Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences
Hewins R
(2014)
The Paris meteorite, the least altered CM chondrite so far
in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Hillier J
(2012)
Impact ionization mass spectra of anorthite cosmic dust analogue particles
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets
Holmes J
(2015)
Analysing the consistency of martian methane observations by investigation of global methane transport
in Icarus
Hsieh H
(2014)
SEARCH FOR THE RETURN OF ACTIVITY IN ACTIVE ASTEROID 176P/LINEAR
in The Astronomical Journal
Ivanova M
(2013)
Experimental simulation of oxygen isotopic exchange in olivine and implication for the formation of metamorphosed carbonaceous chondrites
in Meteoritics & Planetary Science
Jacobs G. M.
(2016)
Investigating the History of Proto-Breccia Clasts in Martian Regolith Breccia Northwest Africa 7034
in 47th Annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference
JANOTS E
(2011)
Jiddat al Harasis 422: A ureilite with an extremely high degree of shock melting
in Meteoritics & Planetary Science
JANOTS E
(2012)
Jiddat al Harasis 556: A howardite impact melt breccia with an H chondrite component
in Meteoritics & Planetary Science
Jenniskens P
(2014)
Fall, recovery, and characterization of the Novato L6 chondrite breccia
in Meteoritics & Planetary Science
Jenniskens P
(2012)
Radar-enabled recovery of the Sutter's Mill meteorite, a carbonaceous chondrite regolith breccia.
in Science (New York, N.Y.)
Johnson D
(2013)
Analysis of a prehistoric Egyptian iron bead with implications for the use and perception of meteorite iron in ancient Egypt
in Meteoritics & Planetary Science
Kapitulcinová D
(2014)
The Interlayer Regions of Sheet Silicates as a Favorable Habitat for Endolithic Microorganisms
in Geomicrobiology Journal
Kaufmann E
(2015)
Penetration of solar radiation into pure and Mars-dust contaminated snow
in Icarus
Klose M
(2016)
Dust Devil Sediment Transport: From Lab to Field to Global Impact
in Space Science Reviews
Kossacki K
(2015)
Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko: Hardening of the sub-surface layer
in Icarus
Kömle NI
(2011)
In situ methods for measuring thermal properties and heat flux on planetary bodies.
in Planetary and space science
Lee M
(2013)
The oxygen isotope evolution of parent body aqueous solutions as recorded by multiple carbonate generations in the Lonewolf Nunataks 94101 CM2 carbonaceous chondrite
in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Lewis S
(2016)
The solsticial pause on Mars: 1. A planetary wave reanalysis
in Icarus
Lorenz R
(2014)
Silence on Shangri-La: Attenuation of Huygens acoustic signals suggests surface volatiles
in Planetary and Space Science
Lowry S
(2012)
The nucleus of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko A new shape model and thermophysical analysis???
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Mason J
(2014)
The retrieval of optical properties from terrestrial dust devil vortices
in Icarus
Mason J
(2013)
Radiative transfer modelling of dust devils
in Icarus
Massironi M
(2014)
Lateral ramps and strike-slip kinematics on Mercury
in Geological Society, London, Special Publications
McCubbin F
(2015)
Magmatic volatiles (H, C, N, F, S, Cl) in the lunar mantle, crust, and regolith: Abundances, distributions, processes, and reservoirs
in American Mineralogist
Melwani Daswani M
(2016)
Alteration minerals, fluids, and gases on early Mars: Predictions from 1-D flow geochemical modeling of mineral assemblages in meteorite ALH 84001
in Meteoritics & Planetary Science
Metzger S
(2011)
In situ measurements of particle load and transport in dust devils
in Icarus
METZLER K
(2011)
The L3-6 chondritic regolith breccia Northwest Africa (NWA) 869: (I) Petrology, chemistry, oxygen isotopes, and Ar-Ar age determinations
in Meteoritics & Planetary Science
Michel P
(2016)
Science case for the Asteroid Impact Mission (AIM): A component of the Asteroid Impact & Deflection Assessment (AIDA) mission
in Advances in Space Research
Michikami T
(2016)
Fragment shapes in impact experiments ranging from cratering to catastrophic disruption
in Icarus
Michikami T
(2014)
Impact cratering experiments in brittle targets with variable thickness: Implications for deep pit craters on Mars
in Planetary and Space Science
Miljkovic K
(2011)
Ejecta fragmentation in impacts into gypsum and water ice
in Icarus
Miljkovic K
(2012)
Models of dust around Europa and Ganymede
in Planetary and Space Science
Description | We have analysed interplanetary dust particles, tracing their origins back to comets. The research, along with work on meteorites and asteroid modelling, has had direct input to the Rosetta mission. Similarly, work on hydrous alteration of martian meteorites has influenced interpretation of data from martian space missions, and has contributed to a better understanding of how microorganisms interact with rocks, and the traces they leave behind. |
Exploitation Route | We have developed an instrument that is capable of determining the composition (elemental and isotopic) of gases. This has applications in many different fields, including health, security and defence. We have also worked on the effects of radiation on different materials, working in partnership with industry to develop new detectors that are more radiation resistant. Again, the applications of these detectors are manifold. The research is continuing with additional funds from non-RC funds, including medical charities and space agencies. |
Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Education,Electronics,Energy,Environment,Healthcare,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections,Security and Diplomacy |
URL | http://www.open.ac.uk/science/physical-science/planetary-space-sciences |
Description | (1) Public engagement Numerous lectures, talks and school visits. PhD students become STEM ambassadors. (2) Instrument development and applications Additional funding from non-RC sources support development of spaceflight instrumentation for application in medical and defence areas |
First Year Of Impact | 2011 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Education,Healthcare |
Impact Types | Cultural,Societal,Economic |
Description | STERLIM |
Amount | € 300,000 (EUR) |
Organisation | European Space Agency |
Sector | Public |
Country | France |
Start | 10/2015 |
End | 09/2017 |
Description | Conversation pieces |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The OU was one of the first universities to support the daily news blog The Conversation (https://theconversation.com/uk). The site has the tag-line "Academic rigour, journalistic flair": academic specialists write the articles, which are edited for readability. This is the opposite from most news sites, in which journalists write the articles, relying on specialists to provide a quote. Five of the CoIs on the CG have written 61 articles in the past two years, which have been read a total of 1.5 million times; an additional 4 PDRA and 3 PhD students have written a further 13 articles, attracting 380,000 views. Every article is accompanied by the text 'X receives funding from the STFC'. One of the CoIs (Grady) has a column on the site, which is syndicated to the US and Australian editions of the news site, gaining a wider coverage for the articles. At the current rate of growth of the site, it is anticipated that there is likely to be at least one article per week from CG staff, their PDRA and students, gaining a global coverage for their research. Updated in March 2017: the PI alone has had more than a million reads of her articles |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014,2015,2016 |
URL | https://theconversation.com/uk |
Description | Public Lectures |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | The PI, MMG, has given between about 30 public lectures, talks and school visits each year since forever. Following the successful Rosetta mission, she has given around 50 such presentations a year, leading to animated discussions about comets and other extraterrestrial bodies, the value of space exploration as an incentive for studying science and engineering, technological developments and spin outs from space missions and the cost of space exploration when weighed against other calls on the public purse. At almost every lecture, MMG receives additional invitations to give talks. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017 |
Description | Royal Society Summer Exhibition |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Royal Society Summer Exhibition takes place over 7 days in central London. In 2014, we led a consortium of institutions to produce an exhibit about comets and the Rosetta mission, and also were a partner in an exhibition about GAIA. In 2015, we again led a consortium exhibition about Rosetta and comets. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014,2016 |