High-temperature events in the protoplanetary disk: Formation conditions of chondrules and refractory inclusions

Lead Research Organisation: University of Manchester
Department Name: Earth Atmospheric and Env Sciences

Abstract

Chondrite meteorites contain an ancient record of the formation of the solar system. Two important
components of chondrites, chondrules and refractory inclusions, were formed in the protoplanetary
disk environment in the earliest stages of solar system history. Chondrules and some refractory
inclusions underwent brief high-temperature heating episodes that resulted in melting followed by
rapid cooling. Thermal histories are interpreted from chemical and isotopic studies of natural
samples, as well as laboratory studies of analog compositions: typical peak temperatures are around
1500 C and typical cooling rates are in the range of tens to hundreds of degrees per hour. Even
though it is clear that these high-temperature events affected large volumes of disk material, there
is much debate about the heating mechanism. Several different models exist, including heating by
direct radiation from the protosun, heating in shock fronts produced in a variety of settings within
the disk, and impacts between planetesimals. In order to refine and assess the different models, we
need to determine robust constraints on the heating process from chondrules and refractory
inclusions themselves. New astronomical observations of extrasolar planets and protoplanetary
disks such as HLTauri (see reference below) are giving us exciting new insights into the formation of
planetary systems, and studies of chondrites provide direct samples of these environments.
This PhD project will combine observations of chondrules and refractory inclusions in chondrites
with experimental studies designed to reproduce textures, mineral assemblages, mineral
compositions and isotopic effects. The objective is to determine constraints on the chondruleforming
mechanism that can be used as input parameters for chondrule formation models. Previous
experiments have placed broad constraints on the heating process, but there are still many
unanswered questions. From observations at the sub-millimetre scale, we can make inferences
about processes that operated on a scale of thousands of kilometres (see figure). Experiments will
be carried out in a one-atmosphere furnace with programmable temperature control. Studies of natural samples and experimental run products will use microbeam analytical techniques including
scanning electron microscopy, electron microprobe analysis, Raman spectroscopy and secondary ion
mass spectrometry.

Studentship Projects

Project Reference Relationship Related To Start End Student Name
ST/N504166/1 30/09/2015 30/03/2021
1990357 Studentship ST/N504166/1 30/09/2017 29/09/2021 Aimee Smith
ST/R504944/1 30/09/2017 29/09/2021
1990357 Studentship ST/R504944/1 30/09/2017 29/09/2021 Aimee Smith
 
Description Bluedot 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Our outreach group atteneded the Bluedot festival where we engage memebers of the public with meteorites and tell them all about the research we do. Many people compliment our stall and leave us good reviews in our comment box.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018,2019
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wLqJpDboVQ&t=57s
 
Description Bradford Media and Science Museum Outreach Event 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact • Gave short talks and demonstrations to school students over a full day at the Bradford Media and Science Museum. The event was aimed to give the students a taste of space and meteorite science and then engage with them on whether they would like to continue with their education at University
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Dragonfly Day- STEM Networking 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Took part in a speed networking event in which you talked to girls studying for GCSEs about different STEM careers.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018,2019
 
Description Girls Night Out at Jodrell Bank 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Help out on an outreach stall at the Girls Night Out event at Jodrell Bank which aims to get girls into science. Our stall helped them learn about space science and how to get involved. I also talked to girls about my career path and gave them insight into studying at University.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018,2019
 
Description Manchester Schools Visit 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Pupils in either lower or upper 6th from 4 schools from the Greater Manchester region visited my institution and were taught about meteorites, general geology and given an experience of what coming to University to study would be like
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Manchester Science Festival at Manchester Museum 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact School students and the general public attended the Manchester Science Festival over a few days at the Manchester Museum. I helped run a stall where visitors where introduced to meteorite samples and space science and were encouraged to engage in a meteorite hunt activity and get involved in discussions with the researchers.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017,2018,2019
 
Description Outreach Event at Manchester Museum 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Helped run a meteorite workshop and meteorite hunt activity for an evening of science engagement with the visitors of the Manchester museum
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Royal Society Summer Exhibition- Living on the Moon 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Helped out at a public engagement stall organised with numerous other UK Universities. Communicated science with regards to technology that could help us live on the Moon in the future. The event was attended by hundreds of people over several days ranging from school groups to interested members of the public
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://royalsociety.org/science-events-and-lectures/2019/summer-science-exhibition/
 
Description School Visit (Girvan Primary- Glasgow) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Went to 2 primary 6 classes (~60 pupils total) in a primary school to give a presentation about the Solar System and then a hands on activities with meteorites. The pupils were very engaged with the topic and asked lots of interesting questions. The teachers really appreciated the extra support on a topic they knew little about.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description School Visit (St Joesph's primary) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Went to visit a reception and year 1 class in a primary school to give a talk about the Solar System and help them with their "Borrow the Moon pack". The pupils were very engaged with the talk and activities and asked lots of questions about the subject. The teachers were really impressed and asked for me to go back to the school in the future,
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Science X Outreach Event at the Trafford Centre 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Engaged with the shoppers visiting the Trafford Centre in Manchester and showed them meteorite samples, taught them about space science and got them to engage in a meteorite hunt activity
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017,2018,2019
 
Description The Brilliant Club 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact I'm a PhD tutor for the charity called The Brilliant Club. This involves me going into schools with a large number of pupils from under represented backgrounds and delivering University style tutorials to pupils in KS3 for 7 weeks which aims to show them what Univeristy learning is like. They have to research topics, write academic style essays, reference and critically think. Schools which take part in this programme have had an increase in the number of students that apply to go to highly selective Universities.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019,2020
URL https://thebrilliantclub.org/
 
Description The Cosmic Cast 
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 Public/other audiences
Results and Impact I took part in the Cosmic Cast podcast during International Women in Science Day. I discussed, along with other speakers, about my route into science and how being a women has effected me along the way. We had a great discussion and aimed to inspire girls and other women to pursue science.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxauf1FTXaY
 
Description University Community Festival at the Manchester Museum 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Visitors to the Manchester Museum were encouraged to engage with meteorite samples, space science and a meteorite hunt activity as part of the University Community Festival to encourage a wider audience to get engaged with science
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017,2018