Tag

Cosmochemistry

All articles tagged with #cosmochemistry

science6 months ago•7 min saved

How the Moon's Impact May Have Enabled Earth's Life

Research suggests that the impact that created the Moon also delivered significant carbonaceous material to Earth, contributing to its habitability. Simulations indicate that Theia, the impactor, likely contained a high proportion of volatile-rich carbonaceous chondrites, which may have played a crucial role in Earth's development as a life-supporting planet. The study highlights the importance of giant planet migrations, especially Jupiter's, in shaping the distribution of materials in the early Solar System and influencing Earth's composition.

via ScienceAlert|

#cosmochemistry #earth #moon

science-and-space1 year ago•4 min saved

"Revealing the Lunar Hydrosphere: A Game-Changer for Understanding Water's History on the Moon"

New research led by Western University postdoctoral fellow Tara Hayden reveals that the early lunar crust contained more water than previously thought, challenging the long-held belief that the Moon was "bone dry." The discovery of the water-bearing mineral apatite in a lunar meteorite sample suggests that the Moon's early crust was enriched in water over 4 billion years ago, providing valuable insights into lunar history and the origin of water in the Solar System. These findings have significant implications for future lunar exploration, particularly as NASA's Artemis missions prepare for launch.

via SciTechDaily|

#artemis-missions #cosmochemistry #lunar-crust

science-and-technology2 years ago•4 min saved

Unexpected Discoveries Found in Early Analysis of Bennu Sample, According to French Cosmochemist

French cosmochemist Guy Libourel and his team at the Valbonne lab in France are analyzing 100 milligrams of tiny grains from NASA's OSIRIS-REx sample return mission to the asteroid Bennu. The analysis has revealed surprises, including the presence of iron oxide, sulfides, manganese, magnesium, and silicate serpentines that indicate the presence of water on Bennu. The samples, which date back 4.567 billion years, are being analyzed using a newly improvised method of cathodoluminescence, allowing researchers to study the mineralogy in detail. The pristine nature of the samples, preserved in nitrogen, provides a unique opportunity to understand the primitive character of Bennu.

via Forbes|

#bennu #cosmochemistry #nasa

space-science2 years ago•3 min saved

Stardust Unveiled: Astronomers Find Cosmic Traces on Nearby Asteroid

Researchers analyzing a sample returned from the asteroid Ryugu have discovered tiny grains of stardust, which originated from distant stars and drifted through space for millions or billions of years. The presence of this stardust in the sample could provide valuable insights into the formation of the solar system. The grains have different isotopic signatures than the material from our own solar system, indicating contributions from various types of stars, including supernovae. This discovery highlights the richness of the universe and the role these materials played in the development of life on Earth.

via NPR|

#asteroid #cosmochemistry #solar-system