Investigation of the early history of the moon. The project will address outstanding questions related to the early evolution of planets in the solar system, including the earth, by investigating major events that took place on the moon, where the record of early history is preserved exceptionally well. It will test major models describing the chemical evolution of both the moon and earth.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE210100044
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$905,654.00
Summary
Ultra-precise dating in Earth, planetary and archaeological science. An advanced facility incorporating next generation, multi-collector mass spectrometer and ultra-clean gas line systems, capable of ultra-precise dating of Earth, planetary and archaeological material. This joint Melbourne-Curtin facility seeks to generate ultra-precise age data from ever smaller and younger samples, such as minute particles from space return missions and tiny inclusions in diamonds. The facility is expected to ....Ultra-precise dating in Earth, planetary and archaeological science. An advanced facility incorporating next generation, multi-collector mass spectrometer and ultra-clean gas line systems, capable of ultra-precise dating of Earth, planetary and archaeological material. This joint Melbourne-Curtin facility seeks to generate ultra-precise age data from ever smaller and younger samples, such as minute particles from space return missions and tiny inclusions in diamonds. The facility is expected to revolutionise noble gas dating techniques, resulting in new knowledge on solar system genesis, hominid evolution, indigenous migrations, palaeo-climate change, natural hazards and ore deposit formation, while further enhancing Australia’s international leadership and competitive advantage in the discipline.
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The history of accretion in our Solar System. This project aims to determine precise timing of formation and primary melting of asteroids of various compositions, and to trace the stellar sources and mixing processes that caused the compositional diversity of asteroids and planets in our Solar System. This can be attained by comprehensive study of achondrites, meteorites derived from asteroids that were once partially melted. Using the world’s foremost facilities for cosmochemical research in Au ....The history of accretion in our Solar System. This project aims to determine precise timing of formation and primary melting of asteroids of various compositions, and to trace the stellar sources and mixing processes that caused the compositional diversity of asteroids and planets in our Solar System. This can be attained by comprehensive study of achondrites, meteorites derived from asteroids that were once partially melted. Using the world’s foremost facilities for cosmochemical research in Australia and the United States of America, the processes leading to the formation of planets will be explored. This project is intended to advance fundamental knowledge of the environment in which planets emerge and evolve, and the place of our Solar System among planetary systems in the Galaxy.Read moreRead less
Bromine isotopic evolution of the Earth and solar system. A world first capability of innovative isotopic tracing within the earth and solar system materials will be developed. Insights into how planets are formed and the transport of materials and heat within them will be tracked through the application of the naturally occurring isotopes of Bromine.
Consequences of extraterrestrial impacts on the biosphere and geosphere. This project will investigate whether high-velocity meteorite impacts can account for the Earth's mass extinctions and whether meteorite impacts and mass extinctions were synchronous. This work will help scientists understand the long-term climatic and biologic effects of massive injections of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Experimental investigation of the fractionation of non-traditional stable isotopes by planetary processes. New analytical methods enable small differences in the isotopic ratios of many metals to be measured, but our understanding of the causes is rudimentary. This project will determine experimentally what geological processes would change the isotopic ratios of some common metals.
Analysis of asteroid samples returned by Hayabusa 2 and Osiris-REx . This year sees the highly anticipated return of the Hayabusa2 spacecraft to Woomera carrying samples of the asteroid Ryugu. This is only the fifth extraterrestrial sample return mission in history. The research team has been invited to participate in the preliminary examination which will take place in Japan in early 2021. The investigators have developed unique analytical skills that allow measurement of small amounts of rock ....Analysis of asteroid samples returned by Hayabusa 2 and Osiris-REx . This year sees the highly anticipated return of the Hayabusa2 spacecraft to Woomera carrying samples of the asteroid Ryugu. This is only the fifth extraterrestrial sample return mission in history. The research team has been invited to participate in the preliminary examination which will take place in Japan in early 2021. The investigators have developed unique analytical skills that allow measurement of small amounts of rock for oxygen isotope compositions at unprecedented precision. This project aims to characterise a suite of carbonaceous chondrites, which appear to be the best match to Ryugu, and therefore will provide the exemplar data to understand the provenance of Ryugu, and place it in the context of solar system materials.
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Nanoscale repositories of the geological record of Earth and other planets. Rhenium-Osmium (Re-Os) dating is used widely to infer Earth's evolution, but most samples are hydrated, with consequent mobility of Re, which is problematic for interpretation of isotope results. This project will solve this problem by determining the effects of hydration on Re and Os. Further, our knowledge of the mobility of Re and related elements will allow us to recognise rocks that once interacted with water, even ....Nanoscale repositories of the geological record of Earth and other planets. Rhenium-Osmium (Re-Os) dating is used widely to infer Earth's evolution, but most samples are hydrated, with consequent mobility of Re, which is problematic for interpretation of isotope results. This project will solve this problem by determining the effects of hydration on Re and Os. Further, our knowledge of the mobility of Re and related elements will allow us to recognise rocks that once interacted with water, even after that water has gone, providing a tool to read the record of Earth's earliest oceans. Our new methods will enable Re-Os dating with clarity and confidence, with profound implications for understanding of Earth and extra-terrestrial planetary evolution.Read moreRead less