The cosmic carbon observatory
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Glasgow
Department Name: School of Geographical & Earth Sciences
Abstract
This research programme seeks to understand key processes during the early history of the Solar System including the construction and destruction of planetary bodies, and delivery of some of the key ingredients for life to Earth, including carbon and water.
One focus of this project is on 'carbonaceous' asteroids that are made of rocks that are rich in water and organic matter. If enough fragments of these asteroids had fallen to the Earth early in its history, they could have introduced sufficient water and organic matter to help life to start. In recognition of their scientific importance, two carbonaceous asteroids, named Bennu and Ryugu, are currently being studied by spacecraft sent by NASA and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, respectively. These spacecraft have collected samples to deliver to Earth; Hayabusa2 successfully delivered ~5 g of Ryugu in December 2020. We will study these samples to understand how much water the asteroid now contains. One theory is that less water is present now than when the asteroid formed, and was lost as the asteroid was heated from the inside. We will try to answer this question by analysing samples from Ryugu, and interpreting them using information from experiments. These experiments will simulate the effects of heating of the asteroid's interior, and irradiation of Ryugu's surface by hydrogen and helium from the Sun (called the solar wind).
In another project we will investigate how the same process of solar wind irradiation could have added water to otherwise completely dry mineral grains within the disk of dust within which the Solar System was born. We will also evaluate how much of the water that has been created by this process may provide an accessible resource on the surfaces of airless worlds. This work will use extraterrestrial materials that have been exposed to the solar wind on the surfaces of asteroids and the Moon. Alongside this work, experiments will mimic the effects of solar wind on mineral grains. The amount of water in both sets of samples will be measured using a new and very powerful technique called atom probe tomography; this technique enables scientists to see the locations of atoms of various types and water molecules within a sample and in three dimensions.
The formation, compaction and aqueous evolution of carbonaceous asteroids, as well as how many of them were present initially in the proto-Solar System, is a hotly debated topic. Clues to the diversity of processes at work within these primitive bodies can be understood by exploring the microstructure and texture of meteorites and samples returned from these bodies. Using a multi-dimensional correlative approach underpinned by big data principles, we will group these materials by their texture and in so doing understand the dominant processes at work on primitive asteroids, and constrain how many there were.
In order to send fragments to Earth, the carbonaceous asteroids must have experienced collisions. There is also evidence of a much more violent event in the early history of the Solar System that led to the breakup of a body the size of Mercury or Mars. Fragments of this planet-size body have fallen to Earth as the ureilite meteorites. These rocks are very special as they contain minerals rich in carbon, including diamonds, that come from deep inside the planet. The chemical composition of these minerals and the rocks within which they occur can tell us much about the carbon cycle of this doomed planet, and how other planets including Earth formed and evolved.
The Cosmic Carbon Observatory will leverage cutting edge correlative micro to atomic scale analysis of precious extraterrestrial materials and thereby transform our understanding of crucial carbon-driven processes in the Solar System.
One focus of this project is on 'carbonaceous' asteroids that are made of rocks that are rich in water and organic matter. If enough fragments of these asteroids had fallen to the Earth early in its history, they could have introduced sufficient water and organic matter to help life to start. In recognition of their scientific importance, two carbonaceous asteroids, named Bennu and Ryugu, are currently being studied by spacecraft sent by NASA and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, respectively. These spacecraft have collected samples to deliver to Earth; Hayabusa2 successfully delivered ~5 g of Ryugu in December 2020. We will study these samples to understand how much water the asteroid now contains. One theory is that less water is present now than when the asteroid formed, and was lost as the asteroid was heated from the inside. We will try to answer this question by analysing samples from Ryugu, and interpreting them using information from experiments. These experiments will simulate the effects of heating of the asteroid's interior, and irradiation of Ryugu's surface by hydrogen and helium from the Sun (called the solar wind).
In another project we will investigate how the same process of solar wind irradiation could have added water to otherwise completely dry mineral grains within the disk of dust within which the Solar System was born. We will also evaluate how much of the water that has been created by this process may provide an accessible resource on the surfaces of airless worlds. This work will use extraterrestrial materials that have been exposed to the solar wind on the surfaces of asteroids and the Moon. Alongside this work, experiments will mimic the effects of solar wind on mineral grains. The amount of water in both sets of samples will be measured using a new and very powerful technique called atom probe tomography; this technique enables scientists to see the locations of atoms of various types and water molecules within a sample and in three dimensions.
The formation, compaction and aqueous evolution of carbonaceous asteroids, as well as how many of them were present initially in the proto-Solar System, is a hotly debated topic. Clues to the diversity of processes at work within these primitive bodies can be understood by exploring the microstructure and texture of meteorites and samples returned from these bodies. Using a multi-dimensional correlative approach underpinned by big data principles, we will group these materials by their texture and in so doing understand the dominant processes at work on primitive asteroids, and constrain how many there were.
In order to send fragments to Earth, the carbonaceous asteroids must have experienced collisions. There is also evidence of a much more violent event in the early history of the Solar System that led to the breakup of a body the size of Mercury or Mars. Fragments of this planet-size body have fallen to Earth as the ureilite meteorites. These rocks are very special as they contain minerals rich in carbon, including diamonds, that come from deep inside the planet. The chemical composition of these minerals and the rocks within which they occur can tell us much about the carbon cycle of this doomed planet, and how other planets including Earth formed and evolved.
The Cosmic Carbon Observatory will leverage cutting edge correlative micro to atomic scale analysis of precious extraterrestrial materials and thereby transform our understanding of crucial carbon-driven processes in the Solar System.
Organisations
- University of Glasgow (Lead Research Organisation)
- Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (Collaboration)
- Natural History Museum (Project Partner)
- Helmholtz Centre Dresden-Rossendorf (Project Partner)
- Purdue University (Project Partner)
- University of Sydney (Project Partner)
- Cameca (France) (Project Partner)
- University of Oxford (Project Partner)
- Kyushu University (Project Partner)
- University of Strathclyde (Project Partner)
- Oxford Instruments (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
Publications
Lee M. R.
(2023)
A Xenolith-Bearing Xenolith in the Cold Bokkeveld CM Carbonaceous Chondrite: A Window into Three Generations of Primitive Asteroids
in 54th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference
Floyd C. J.
(2022)
The CIS Method: A Proposed Standardised Protocol for Measuring and Reporting Sizes of Chondrules and Other Chondritic Objects
in 85th Annual Meeting of The Meteoritical Society
Floyd C. J.
(2022)
A New Record of Chondrule Sizes Within the Carbonaceous CM Chondrites and Implications for Understanding the CM-CO Chondrite Clan
in 85th Annual Meeting of The Meteoritical Society
Clog M
(2024)
Clumped isotope and ?17O measurements of carbonates in CM carbonaceous chondrites: new insights into parent body thermal and fluid evolution
in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Martell J
(2024)
Combined Neutron and X-Ray Tomography-A Versatile and Non-Destructive Tool in Planetary Geosciences
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets
Floyd C. J.
(2023)
CM Chondrite Chondrules and Their Relationship to Petrologic Subtype
in LPI Contributions
Suttle M
(2022)
The Winchcombe meteorite-A regolith breccia from a rubble pile CM chondrite asteroid
in Meteoritics & Planetary Science
Lee M. R.
(2023)
OLIVINE-PLAGIOCLASE XENOLITHS IN MULTIPLE CM CARBONACEOUS CHONDRITES
in METEORITICS & PLANETARY SCIENCE
Jenkins L
(2023)
Winchcombe: An example of rapid terrestrial alteration of a CM chondrite
in Meteoritics & Planetary Science
Daly L
(2024)
Brecciation at the grain scale within the lithologies of the Winchcombe Mighei-like carbonaceous chondrite
in Meteoritics & Planetary Science
Clog M.
(2022)
TEMPERATURES OF CARBONATE FORMATION IN CM CARBONACEOUS CHONDRITES: NEW CONSTRAINTS FROM CLUMPED ISOTOPE THERMOMETRY
in METEORITICS & PLANETARY SCIENCE
Lee M. R.
(2023)
MICROMETEORITE SPACE WEATHERING OF COLD BOKKEVELD (CM2)
in METEORITICS & PLANETARY SCIENCE
Lee M
(2023)
Extended time scales of carbonaceous chondrite aqueous alteration evidenced by a xenolith in L a P az Icefield 02239 ( CM2 )
in Meteoritics & Planetary Science
Lee M
(2023)
The water content of CM carbonaceous chondrite falls and finds, and their susceptibility to terrestrial contamination
in Meteoritics & Planetary Science
Noguchi T
(2023)
A dehydrated space-weathered skin cloaking the hydrated interior of Ryugu.
in Nature astronomy
King AJ
(2022)
The Winchcombe meteorite, a unique and pristine witness from the outer solar system.
in Science advances
Description | Member of UKSA SEAC |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Description | MetSoc Early Career Fund |
Amount | $1,400 (USD) |
Organisation | Meteoritical Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United States |
Start | 07/2023 |
End | 08/2023 |
Description | Small Grants |
Amount | £1,500 (GBP) |
Organisation | Scottish Alliance for Geoscience, Environment and Society (SAGES) |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2023 |
End | 07/2023 |
Description | The UK Fireball Alliance - building an all-sky UK meteor observatory |
Amount | £147,117 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ST/Y004817/1 |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2023 |
End | 08/2025 |
Description | Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) |
Organisation | Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency |
Country | Japan |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Analysis of samples supplied by the collaborating organisation (JAXA) |
Collaborator Contribution | JAXA collected samples that are being analysed within the Cosmic Carbon Observatory project from asteroid Ryugu. We requested pieces of the asteroid from JAXA via a peer-reviewed process, and our application was successful. |
Impact | We do not yet have any outcomes as the analytical work is currently underway |
Start Year | 2023 |
Description | BBC Scotland's The Nine |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | I appeared on two live TV broadcasts for BBC Scotland's The Nine show as an expert commentator for the arrival of samples from Asteroid Bennu from NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Explorathon |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | We ran a stall as part of the Glasgow portion of the UK wide Explorathon festival. The stall focussed on educating the public on how to identify meteorites, how meteorites form, and what are the best practices for when you think you find a meteorite. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Girls into Geoscience workshop |
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 | Workshop focussed on educating high-school students from across Scotland on how to identify meteorites, use petrographic microscopes, and understand the different components of chondrites and what those components mean. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Media activity around the launch of the USA space plane |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | I appeared on BBC news TV and BBC scotland and regional radio stations to speak about the launch of the USA space plane. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |