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At least 37 records · Page 2

Isotopic, Chemical and Mineralogical Investigations of Extraterrestrial Materials

The principal aim of our work was to improve our understanding of the earliest evolutionary period of our solar system (i.e. the first tens of millions of years). We have studied its chronology by using short and long term chronometers (based on extinct and long lived radioactive nuclei), explored the bearing of short lived nuclei on planetary heating and differentiation, and the addition of 'exotic' nuclei to solar system matter to help constrain models of nucleosynthesis. Our basic tool is high precision Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry (TIMS). Over the years we have developed clean chemical separation procedures for many elements. The chemical elements most relevant to our investigations are Cr, Ni, Rb, Sr, Sm, Nd, Pb, and U, for which highly efficient measurement techniques by TIMS have been developed and have been in use in our laboratory for many years. We have explored the Mn-53 Cr-53 system (T (Mn-53) = 3.7 Ma) and have found it to be a powerful tool to obtain relative ages of meteorite formation and, more general, of early solar system processes with a time resolution of approx. 1 Ma. By measuring the Mn-Cr system in many meteorite types (chondrites, basaltic achondrites, angrites, pallasites, etc.) we have found that this condition is indeed met for most meteorite families.

Lugmair, Guenter W.↗

Presolar Grains in CM2 Chondrites

New abundance determinations for presolar diamond, SiC, and graphite in CM2 chondrites are presented and used to infer initial abundances in primitive solar-system material. Modifications of initial abundances reflect early-solar-system processes. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Huss, G. R.↗

Lunar and Planetary Surface Dynamics and Early History

The research described by this annual research report covers the following subjects: A) Early solar system processes and time scales using I-Xe chronometry; B) I-Xe studies of individual chondrules; C) Additional Ongoing Projects.

Hohenberg, Charles M.↗

Chlorine Isotopes: As a Possible Tracer of Fluid/Bio-Activities on Mars and a Progress Report on Chlorine Isotope Analysis by TIMs

Significantly large mass fractionations between chlorine isotopes (Cl-35, Cl-37) have been reported for terrestrial materials including both geological samples and laboratory materials. Also, the chlorine isotopic composition can be used as a tracer for early solar system processes. Moreover, chlorine is ubiquitous on the Martian surface. Typical chlorine abundances in Gusev soils are approx.0.5 %. The global surface average chlorine abundance also is approx.0.5 %. Striking variations among outcrop rocks at Meridiani were reported with some chlorine abundances as high as approx.2%. Characterizing conditions under which chlorine isotopic fractionation may occur is clearly of interest to planetary science. Thus, we have initiated development of a chlorine isotopic analysis technique using TIMS at NASA-JSC. We present here a progress report on the current status of development at JSC and discuss the possible application of chlorine isotopic analysis to Martian meteorites in a search for fluid- and possibly biological activity on Mars.

Nakamura, N.↗

Stable Chlorine Isotopes and Elemental Chlorine by Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry and Ion Chromatography; Martian Meteorites, Carbonaceous Chondrites and Standard Rocks

Recently significantly large mass fractionation of stable chlorine isotopes has been reported for terrestrial and lunar samples [1,2]. In addition, in view of possible early solar system processes [3] and also potential perchlorate-related fluid/microbial activities on the Martian surface [4,5], a large chlorine isotopic fractionation might be expected for some types of planetary materials. Due to analytical difficulties of isotopic and elemental analyses, however, current chlorine analyses for planetary materials are controversial among different laboratories, particularly between IRMS (gas source mass spectrometry) and TIMS (Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry) groups [i.e. 1,6,7] for isotopic analyses, as well as between those doing pyrohydrolysis and other groups [i.e. 6,8]. Additional careful investigations of Cl isotope and elemental abundances are required to confirm real chlorine isotope and elemental variations for planetary materials. We have developed a TIMS technique combined with HF-leaching/ion chromatography at NASA JSC that is applicable to analysis of small amounts of meteoritic and planetary materials. We present here results for several standard rocks and meteorites, including Martian meteorites.

Nakamura, N.↗

Microstructures of Hibonite From an ALH A77307 (CO3.0) CAI: Evidence for Evaporative Loss of Calcium

Hibonite is a comparatively rare, primary phase found in some CAIs from different chondrite groups and is also common in Wark-Lovering rims [1]. Hibonite is predicted to be one of the earliest refractory phases to form by equilibrium condensation from a cooling gas of solar composition [2] and, therefore, can be a potential recorder of very early solar system processes. In this study, we describe the microstructures of hibonite from one CAI in ALH A77307 (CO3.0) using FIB/TEM techniques in order to reconstruct its formational history.

Han, Jangmi↗

A Novel Hybrid Ultramicrotomy/FIB-SEM Technique: Preparation of Serial Electron-Transparent Thin Sections of a Hayabusa Grain

The Japanese space agency's (JAXA) Hayabusa mission returned the first particulate samples (typically <100micron) from the surface of an asteroid (25143 Itokawa). These precious samples provide important insights into early Solar System processes, but their sizes pose tremendous challenges to coordinated analysis using a variety of nano- and micro-beam techniques. The ability to glean maximal information from individual particles has become increasingly important and depends critically on sample preparation. We developed a hybrid technique combining traditional ultramicrotomy with focused ion beam (FIB) techniques, allowing for more thorough in situ investigations of grain surfaces and interiors. Using this method, we increase the number of FIB-prepared sections that can be recovered from a particle with dimensions on the order of tens of microns. These sections can be subsequently analyzed using a variety of analytical techniques. Particle RA-QD02-0211 is a approx. 40×40×20 micron particle from Itokawa containing olivine and Fe sulfides. It was embedded in low viscosity epoxy and partly sectioned to a depth of approx 10 micron; sections are placed on Cu grids with thin amorphous films for transmission electron microscope (TEM) analyses. With the sample surface partly exposed, the epoxy bullet is trimmed to a height of approx. 5mm to accommodate the allowable dimensions for FIB work (FEI Quanta 600 3D dual beam FIB-SEM). Using a diamond trim knife, the epoxy surrounding the grain is removed on 3 sides (to within a few microns of the grain); the depth of material removed extends well below the bottom of the particle. The sample is attached to an SEM pin mount, the epoxy coated with conductive paint, and the entire assembly coated with approx. 40nm of carbon to eliminate sample charging during FIB work. A protective carbon cap is placed according to the plan for the 15 FIB sections. The central 'spine' of the cap runs perpendicular to the front of the sample, and the 'ribs' protruding from either side run parallel. Each rib indicates the location of a planned FIB section, and the spine contains the final two planned sections. We use a cap with a 4 micron-wide spine and 2micron-wide ribs that have ≳3.5 micron of space between them (narrower cuts result in too much re-deposition of material inside the trenches). Using a 30kV, 3nA ion-beam we expose the front surface of the grain and commence milling trenches between sections. Rather than using the typical C-cut to prepare the sample for lift-out, an L-cut is used instead, leaving the sample connected by an interior tab. tab. Sections are lifted out, attached to TEM grids and thinned to electron transparency. TEM analyses show that our hybrid technique preserves both interior and edge features, including surface modifications from exposure to the space environment, such as damaged rims that form in response to solar wind implantation effects and adhering grains. In addition, the FIB sections provide larger areas that are free of fractures and chatter effects in comparison to the microtome thin sections, thus enabling more accurate measurements of solar flare particle track densities that are used to determine the surface exposure age of the particles.

Berger, Eve L.↗

The Potassium Isotope Composition of Aggregate Material From Asteroid Bennu

NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission re-turned material from asteroid Bennu on September 24, 2023, marking the first time a U.S. mission has delivered asteroid samples to Earth, and the largest asteroid sample return to date. Due to the pristine nature of these primitive carbonaceous-rich samples, they allow us a rare opportunity to study our solar system’s formation to a degree not previously possible. Isotopes of moderately volatile elements (MVEs) have been recently developed as robust tracers for tracking different volatilization events within our Solar System. Of the MVEs, K has gained significant interest in recent years due to its ideal chemical and physical properties combined with technique improvements. Due to this, several recent studies have investigated the K isotope systematics within bulk chondrites and found an isotopic dichotomy be-tween the carbonaceous and non-carbonaceous chondrites (Figure 1), likely reflecting their different reservoirs which formed in the inner and outer protoplanetary disk respectively. Furthermore, systematic K isotope variations across the different carbonaceous chondrite groups and correlations with mass independent isotope systems such as Cr, Ti, and Ni, have also been observed. As a result, establishing the K isotope composition of bulk Bennu can be used to test the mission hypothesis that “Bennu’s parent asteroid accreted in the outer protoplanetary disk, beyond Jupiter, as recorded by distinct isotopic anomalies in a variety of elements” . In addition to early solar system processes, K isotopes can also be fractionated by space weathering as shown by comparisons between mature and immature lunar regolith. The degree of K isotope fractionation caused by space weathering correlates with the regolith maturity index and is an order of magnitude larger than what is observed in bulk meteorite samples which have not undergone strong space weathering processes. As such, the K isotope systematics of Bennu samples could provide an independent assessment of regolith maturity of the asteroid surface, helping to directly test the mission hypothesis that “Space weathering changed the chemistry and mineralogy of optically active surfaces” . In order to test both this hypothesis, and the hypothesis relating to Bennu’s accretion location, we aim to conduct high-precision K isotope analysis on bulk Bennu aggregates.

K Wang↗

Electromagnetic heating of minor planets in the early solar system

Electromagnetic processes occurring in the primordial solar system are likely to have significantly affected planetary evolution. In particular, electrical coupling of the kinetic energy of a dense T-Tauri-like solar wind into the interior of the smaller planets could have been a major driver of thermal metamorphism. Accordingly a grid of asteroid models of various sizes and solar distances was constructed using dc transverse magnetic induction theory. Plausible parameterizations with no requirement for a high environmental temperature led to complete melting for Vesta with no melting for Pallas and Ceres. High temperatures were reached in the Pallas model, perhaps implying nonmelting thermal metamorphosis as a cause of its anomalous spectrum. A reversal of this temperature sequence seems implausible, suggesting that the Ceres-Pallas-Vesta dichotomy is a natural outcome of the induction mechanism. Highly localized heating is expected to arise due to an instability in the temperature-controlled current distribution. Localized metamorphosis resulting from this effect may be relevant to the production and evolution of pallasites, the large presumed metal component of S object spectra, and the formation of the lunar magma ocean.

Herbert, F.↗

Microcrystals and Amorphous Material in Comets and Primitive Meteorites: Keys to Understanding Processes in the Early Solar System

Comets, fine-grained matrices of chondrites, and chondritic interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) are each composed of both crystalline and amorphous silicates. The primitive solar nebula, in which comets and asteroids accreted, was formed from the collapsed core of a Giant Molecular Cloud, that, in turn, condensed from materials present in the interstellar medium (ISM). Despite observations that reveal the presence of crystalline magnesium silicate minerals in the shells of very high mass-loss-rate stars [1,2], typical silicate grains in the ISM are most likely to be amorphous, given their relatively long residence time in such a high radiation environment. An upper limit of ~3% crystalline grains can be derived from their non-detection in spectra of ISM solids [3]. If the vast majority of grains that enter the primitive solar nebula are amorphous, then the observation of crystalline dust in comets and primitive chondrite matrices indicates the action of specific processes required to transform the amorphous starting materials into the crystals that are observed.

Nuth, J. A.↗

Accretionary processes in the early solar system - An experimental approach.

Results are given of an experiment to determine the range of silicate particle velocities over which accretion occurs. It was shown that micrometer-size silicate flakes do not accrete during impacts in the velocity range of 1.5 to 9.5 km/sec. Silicate accretion took place only between particles whose orbits were similar. Over at least part of the velocity range in which silicate accretion was efficient, metal particles would have rebounded without accreting. This suggests that if both metal and silicate were present during accretion, fractionation of one with respect to the other would have occurred.

Kerridge, J. F.↗

Corundum-Hibonite Inclusions and the Environments of High Temperature Processing in the Early Solar System

Calcium, Aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs) are composed of the suite of minerals predicted to be the first to condense from a cooling gas of solar composition [1]. Yet, the first phase to condense, corundum, is rare in CAIs, having mostly reacted to form hibonite followed by other phases at lower temperatures. Many CAIs show evidence of complex post-formational histories, including condensation, evaporation, and melting [e.g. 2, 3]. However, the nature of these thermal events and the nebular environments in which they took place are poorly constrained. Some corundum and corundum-hibonite grains appear to have survived or avoided these complex CAI reprocessing events. Such ultra-refractory CAIs may provide a clearer record of the O isotopic composition of the Sun and the evolution of the O isotopic composition of the planet-forming region [4-6]. Here we present in situ O and Mg isotopic analyses of two corundum/hibonite inclusions that record differing formation histories.

Needham, A. W.↗

Stable Chlorine Isotope Study: Application to Early Solar System Materials

A significantly large mass fractionation between two stable chlorine isotopes is expected during planetary processes In addition, in view of the isotopic heterogeneity of other light elements, the chlorine isotopes can potentially be used as a tracer for the origins and evolutionary processes of early solar system materials. Due to analytical difficulties, however, current chlorine isotope studies on planetary materials are quite controversial among IRMS (gas source mass spectrometry) and/or TIMS (Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry) groups [i.e. 1-3]. Although a cross-calibration of IRMS and TIMS indicates that both techniques are sufficiently consistent with each other [4], some authors have claimed that the Cl-37/Cl-35 ratio of geological samples obtained by TIMS technique are, in general, misleadingly too high and variable compared to those of IRMS [3]. For example, almost no differences of Cl isotope composition were observed among mantle materials and carbonaceous meteorites by [3]. On the other hand, according to more recent IRMS work [2], significant Cl isotope variations are confirmed for mantle materials. Therefore, additional careful investigation of Cl isotope analyses are now required to confirm real chlorine isotope variations for planetary materials including carbonaceous chondrites [5]. A significantly large mass fractionation between two stable chlorine isotopes is expected during planetary processes In addition, in view of the isotopic heterogeneity of other light elements, the chlorine isotopes can potentially be used as a tracer for the origins and evolutionary processes of early solar system materials. Due to analytical difficulties, however, current chlorine isotope studies on planetary materials are quite controversial among IRMS (gas source mass spectrometry) and/or TIMS (Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry) groups [i.e. 1-3]. Although a cross-calibration of IRMS and TIMS indicates that both techniques are sufficiently consistent with each other [4], some authors have claimed that the 37Cl/35Cl ratio of geological samples obtained by TIMS technique are, in general, misleadingly too high and variable compared to those of IRMS [3]. For eample, almost no differences of Cl isotope composition were observed among mantle materials and carbonaceous meteorites by [3]. On the other hand, according to more recent IRMS work [2], significant Cl isotope variations are confirmed for mantle materials. Therefore, additional careful investigation of Cl isotope analyses are now required to confirm real chlorine isotope variations for planetary materials including carbonaceous chondrites [5]. In order to clarify the stable chlorine isotope features of early solar system materials, we have initiated development of the TIMS technique at NASA JSC applicable to analysis of small amounts of meteoritic and planetary materials. We report here the current status of chlorine isotope analysis at NASA JSC.

Mala,ira. M/↗

Development of Machine Learning Algorithms to Segment and Study Images of Astromaterial Samples

Introduction: Micrometer-scale chemical analyses of chondritic meteorites and mission-returned asteroid samples can reveal details of the physical and chemical processes operating in the early solar system, including processes that gave rise to planets, moons, and minor bodies. These primitive astromaterials are comprised of chondrules, calcium- and aluminum-rich inclusions (CAI), and many other silicates, oxides, metals, sulfides, and fine-grained materials. The chemical and mineralogical complexity of these samples, vast populations of different components, and heterogeneity across mm to km scales, all limit our understanding of the origin and evolution of these materials. Here, we describe recent efforts to use machine learning techniques to automate the segmentation of chemical maps of chondritic meteorites, designed to aid studies of asteroid samples returned by spacecraft. By automating the task of segmentation it will become possible to rapidly analyze and interpret the sizes, shapes, mineralogy, chemistry, and other properties of every chondrule, calcium- and aluminum-rich inclusion (CAI) and other clast within and between asteroid samples. Sample return missions significantly accelerate and heighten the need to develop such new data analysis techniques, and associated data repositories. Techniques: Neural networks require abundant training data, i.e. images which have been segmented by a human user. We have manually segmented data available from previous petrologic and chemical work at NASA Johnson Space Center and the American Museum of Natural History [1-4]. These data were derived from energy- and wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS, WDS) mapping of samples from many chondrite groups. The Deeplabv3+ [5] neural network architecture was trained on human-labeled masks and used to create machine-labeled masks. Several different algorithms were investigated, with inputs ranging from common RGB image formats through to hyperspectral datasets, with raw data comprising greyscale maps of Mg, Ca, and Al, with or without Si, Fe, Ti for both EDS and WDS data, and extending to other elements in EDS only. Each greyscale image was paired with a binary mask for each labelled particle type. Results: The trained algorithms can segment (Fig 1), classify, and measure the dimensions of thousands of particles in chemical maps of a standard 1-inch round petrographic section in seconds to minutes, rather than many hours needed by a human. Accuracy of the algorithms varied from chondrite to chondrite and across particle types. Further results and details of the algorithms will be presented at the workshop. Future directions: Machine learning has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of complex particle populations contained within primitive astromaterial, with segmentation being a critical first step. Example applications include better understanding of particle transport, nebular reservoirs, parent body accretion, and a deeper understanding of the relationships between particle populations and bulk rock elemental and isotopic compositions. In addition to benefits that machine learning can bring to individual researchers, building a community data repository of thousands to millions of particles across hundreds of samples will open up many other possibilities. For example, with a large enough dataset it will be possible to search for exceptionally closely matching particles across disparate samples. Such a capability would enable a single CAI from OSIRISREx or Hayabusa/II samples to be matched to chondritic CAIs that exhibit near-identical size, texture, and mineralogy, down to the level of similar core phenocrysts, zonation, and rim sequences. Such comparative analyses will help to disentangle precursor chemistry, chronology, gas/dust reservoirs during heating, and accretion. Such an endeavor would be impossible without machine learning and a large community data repository of astromaterial chemical/mineralogic maps.

Machine Learning↗

Meteorites and the early solar system

Chondrite classification, primordial matter composition and early solar system chemical processes, discussing cosmic gas condensation and refractory element fractionation

Anders, E.↗

Recent researches into solid bodies and magnetic fields in the solar system; Proceedings of the Topical Meeting and Symposium, Ottawa, Canada, May 16-June 2, 1982

Topics discussed include the magnetic history of the early solar system, impact processes in solid bodies (e.g., meteoroids and asteroids), and topics related to cometary missions. The section devoted to cometary missions lays particular stress on missions to Comet Halley; attention is given to such aspects of these missions as the investigation of hypervelocity impact on the Giotto Halley mission dust shield, the detection of energetic cometary and solar particles by the EPONA instrument on the Giotto mission, the dust hazard near Comet Halley in regard to the Vega project, and cometary ephemerides for spacecraft flyby missions.

Vette, J. I.↗

NASA's Near-Earth Object Office

Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) are scientifically interesting remnants of the early solar system formation process, accessible resources for the raw materials necessary for colonizing the inner solar system in the next century, and objects that can threaten life on Earth.

Near Earth Objects Comets Asteroids↗