The cambridge cosmochemistry symposium

This article is a critical summary of the solar-system aspects of a meeting held in August 1972. The purpose of the meeting was to review work done sonce the 1967 Paris meeting on the Origin of the Elements.The principal topics discussed were element abundances; the structure and composition of comets, of the terrestrial and the outer planets, of the Moon, of exospheric dust, and of meteorites; planetary atmospheres; evidence for a protosolar magnetic field from remanent meteorite magnetism, abiotic synthesis of organic molecules; nucleosynthesis; solar cosmic rays; and meteorite ages.The principal results were these: There have been a number of significant changes in the estimated solar abundances—especially D, He, B, and Fe. A great deal of progress has been made in our understanding of the temperature and pressure conditions in the protosolar nebula during planetary formation, and of the condensation of solids in it. It is believed that the bulk chemistry of the terrestrial planets is now understood on the basis of equilibrium (slow) cooling of the nebula. Their atmospheres are consistent with this model, and that of Jupiter, with inhomogeneous accretion. The structure of Jupiter is also better understood. There is disagreement on the deep structure and composition of the Moon, though of course an enormous amount has been learned, especially about the surface layers. Not so much progress has been made in understanding comets.     

The Leonard Award Address Presented 1998 July 27, Dublin,Ireland: On the difficulties of making Earth-like planets

Abstract— Here I discuss the series of events that led to the formation and evolution of our planet to examine why the Earth is unique in the solar system. A multitude of factors are involved: These begin with the initial size and angular momentum of the fragment that separated from a molecular cloud; such random factors are crucial in determining whether a planetary system or a double star develops from the resulting nebula. Another requirement is that there must be an adequate concentration of heavy elements to provide the 2% “rock” and “ice” components of the original nebula. An essential step in forming rocky planets in the inner nebula is the loss of gas and depletion of volatile elements, due to early solar activity that is linked to the mass of the central star. The lifetime of the gaseous nebula controls the formation of gas giants. In our system, fine timing was needed to form the gas giant, Jupiter, before the gas in the nebula was depleted. Although Uranus and Neptune eventually formed cores large enough to capture gas, they missed out and ended as ice giants. The early formation of Jupiter is responsible for the existence of the asteroid belt (and our supply of meteorites) and the small size of Mars, whereas the gas giant now acts as a gravitational shield for the terrestrial planets. The Earth and the other inner planets accreted long after the giant planets, from volatile-depleted planetesimals that were probably already differentiated into metallic cores and silicate mantles in a gas-free, inner nebula. The accumulation of the Earth from such planetesimals was essentially a stochastic process, accounting for the differences among the four rocky inner planets—including the startling contrast between those two apparent twins, Earth and Venus. Impact history and accretion of a few more or less planetesimals were apparently crucial. The origin of the Moon by a single massive impact with a body larger than Mars accounts for the obliquity (and its stability) and spin of the Earth, in addition to explaining the angular momentum, orbital characteristics, and unique composition of the Moon. Plate tectonics (unique among the terrestrial planets) led to the development of the continental crust on the Earth, an essential platform for the evolution of Homo sapiens. Random major impacts have punctuated the geological record, accentuating the directionless course of evolution. Thus a massive asteroidal impact terminated the Cretaceous Period, resulted in the extinction of at least 70% of species living at that time, and led to the rise of mammals. This sequence of events that resulted in the formation and evolution of our planet were thus unique within our system. The individual nature of the eight planets is repeated among the 60-odd satellites—no two appear identical. This survey of our solar system raises the question whether the random sequence of events that led to the formation of the Earth are likely to be repeated in detail elsewhere. Preliminary evidence from the “new planets” is not reassuring. The discovery of other planetary systems has removed the previous belief that they would consist of a central star surrounded by an inner zone of rocky planets and an outer zone of giant planets beyond a few astronomical units (AU). Jupiter-sized bodies in close orbits around other stars probably formed in a similar manner to our giant planets at several astronomical units from their parent star and, subsequently, migrated inwards becoming stranded in close but stable orbits as “hot Jupiters”, when the nebula gas was depleted. Such events would prevent the formation of terrestrial-type planets in such systems.     

ELEMENTAL ABUNDANCES IN STONE METEORITES

Abundances of Na, Al, Sc, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co and Cu have been measured by instrumental neutron activation analyses of 103 chondrites and 17 achondrites. In many cases, analyses were made of replicate samples from the same meteorite. Various sources of error in the method, including sampling errors, are discussed in detail. Examination of the patterns of coherence of the elements we have determined suggests that we can perceive effects of fractionation during condensation from the solar nebula of matter parental to chondrites. Such effects seem to be exhibited both in the abundances of lithophilic elements, perhaps being related to varied temperatures of accretion and in the abundances of those elements which would be affected by metal-silicate fractionation in the solar nebula. Atomic abundances relative to Si vary little in carbonaceous chondrites, suggesting that efficient mixing processes operated on these meteorites prior to or during their formation. We suggest that at present, no single class of carbonaceous chondrites is clearly more primitive than another. Carbonaceous and unequilibrated ordinary chondrites may represent aggregates of material accreted from the solar nebula at relatively low temperatures, as many recent discussions of these meteorites would suggest. Our data support a model of equilibration and minor mobilization of non-volatile elements within small domains of chondrites after accretion. Such a model would be consistent with the petrologic types of Van Schmus and Wood (1967). Achondrites do not exhibit simple regularities in lithophilic elemental abundances as do chondrites. Models for the origins of achondrites surely must include effects of magmatic fractionation, but we do not at present have enough information to assess the plausibility of such models.     

系外类地行星的内部结构及大气成分研究进展

系外类地行星是目前搜寻地外生命的主要目标.随着观测仪器的发展,现在已经能探测到低于10个地球质量的系外行星.该文简要回顾了系外类地行星的形成与演化,介绍了当前研究它们内部结构的模型和方法,以及由此得出的类地行星质量-半径关系.同时,对应不同的行星初始物质成分,讨论了各种可能的大气结构.最后介绍了未来的空间任务在相关方面的工作.     

The formation of iron,stone, and mixed planetesimals in the early solar system

The interaction of dust grains with each other in a finite-temperature solar nebula are examined, taking into account the important fact that such grains would carry net steady-state charges like those of grains in interstellar clouds. This charge is given by the well-known Spitzer relation. It provides a screening mechanism that operates during accretion and results in bodies of differing compositions depending on the local temperature in the nebula. In a typical nebula, it is found that planetesimals of 0.1–10²-cm size form in a time of order 10⁶–10⁷ years. These planetesimals are of iron and stone and mixed composition in the inner solar system, but of mixed composition only in the outer solar system. The predictions of this type of charged-dust accretion can be compared to known data on meteorites and the composition of the planets.     

Outline of a theory of planet formation in binary systems

A theory is presented for determining regions where planets may form in binary star systems. Planet formation by accretion is assumed possible if mean planetesimal collision velocities do not exceed a critical value. Collision velocities are increased by perturbations due to the companion star, treated by secular perturbation theory. Collision velocities are damped by aerodynamic drag within the solar nebula, taken as the linear case of Cameron and Pine.A general feature of planetary systems in binary stars is the existence of two zones. The inner zone has enough damping to permit unimpeded growth by accretion; in the outer zone, growth proceeds to a limited diameter, beyond which damping is insufficient. It is shown that the asteroids could not have failed to coalesce due to Jupiter perturbations in the primitive solar nebula. Binary star systems with semimajor axis < 30AU are not likely to have planets; these include Alpha Centauri and 70 Ophiuchi. Systems possibly possessing planets include Eta Cassiopeiae, 40 Eridani, and Σ 2398. Epsilon Eridani is a marginal case.     

Did iron meteorites form in the asteroid belt?—Evidence from thermodynamic models

The major iron meteorite groups are defined essentially by their Ga, Ge, and Ni contents. It now seems clear that the differences between their abundances of Ga and Ge were produced by the process of condensation and accretion in the primordial solar nebula. The simplest interpretation of the Ni abundance, and its variations between the groups, is also that it was fixed during condensation and accretion; more particularly, it reflects the oxidation state of the nebula during condensation and accretion. The abundance patterns of 17 other trace elements have been examined and are consistent with this model. It is believed to be the simplest model published and most consistent with analogous calculations for the chondrites. If it is correct, then the iron meteorite groups formed over a very wide range of pressures, 10^?4 to 10^?8 atm. Such a range could only be found in a restricted region of the nebula, such as the asteroid belt, if a complex accretion sequence inside a protoplanet occurred. More likely, the iron meteorites were formed in widely dispersed regions of the nebula and only one group formed in the asteroid belt, probably group IIIAB. Groups IAB and IIAB formed nearer the Sun, and group IVA formed much further out, say, beyond the orbit of Jupiter.     

Gas capture and rare gas retention by accreting planets in the solar nebula

In this paper, the physico-chemical effects of the nebula gas on the planets are reviewed from a standpoint of planetary formation in the solar nebula.The proto-Earth growing in the nebula was surrounded by a primordial atmosphere with a solar chemical composition and solar isotopic composition. When the mass of the proto-Earth was greater than 0.3 times the present Earth mass, the surface was molten because of the blanketing effect of the atmosphere. Therefore, the primordial rare gasses contained in the primordial atmosphere dissolved into the molten Earth material without fractionation and in particular the dissolved neon is expected to be conserved in the present Earth material. Hence, if dissolved neon with a solar isotopic ratio is discovered in the Earth material, it will indicate that the Earth was formed in the nebula and that the dissolved rare gases were one of the sources which degassed to form the present atmosphere.     

Differentiation processes in FeO‐rich asteroids revealed by the achondrite Lewis Cliff 88763

Olivine‐dominated (70–80 modal %) achondrite meteorite Lewis Cliff (LEW) 88763 originated from metamorphism and limited partial melting of a FeO‐rich parent body. The meteorite experienced some alteration on Earth, evident from subchondritic Re/Os, and redistribution of rhenium within the sample. LEW 88763 is texturally similar to winonaites, has a Δ¹⁷O value of ?1.19 ± 0.10‰, and low bulk‐rock Mg/(Mg+Fe) (0.39), similar to the FeO‐rich cumulate achondrite Northwest Africa (NWA) 6693. The similar bulk‐rock major‐, minor‐, and trace‐element abundances of LEW 88763, relative to some carbonaceous chondrites, including ratios of Pd/Os, Pt/Os, Ir/Os, and ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os (0.1262), implies a FeO‐ and volatile‐rich precursor composition. Lack of fractionation of the rare earth elements, but a factor of approximately two lower highly siderophile element abundances in LEW 88763, compared with chondrites, implies limited loss of Fe‐Ni‐S melts during metamorphism and anatexis. These results support the generation of high Fe/Mg, sulfide, and/or metal‐rich partial melts from FeO‐rich parent bodies during partial melting. In detail, however, LEW 88763 cannot be a parent composition to any other meteorite sample, due to highly limited silicate melt loss (0 to <<5%). As such, LEW 88763 represents the least‐modified FeO‐rich achondrite source composition recognized to date and is distinct from all other meteorites. LEW 88763 should be reclassified as an anomalous achondrite that experienced limited Fe,Ni‐FeS melt loss. Lewis Cliff 88763, combined with a growing collection of FeO‐rich meteorites, such as brachinites, brachinite‐like achondrites, the Graves Nunataks (GRA) 06128/9 meteorites, NWA 6693, and Tafassasset, has important implications for understanding the initiation of planetary differentiation. Specifically, regardless of precursor compositions, partial melting and differentiation processes appear to be similar on asteroidal bodies spanning a range of initial oxidation states and volatile contents.     

Origin of water in the inner Solar System: A kinetic Monte Carlo study of water adsorption on forsterite

The origin of water in the inner Solar System is not well understood. It is believed that temperatures were too high in the accretion disk in the region of the terrestrial planets for hydrous phases to be thermodynamically stable. Suggested sources of water include direct adsorption of hydrogen from the nebula into magma oceans after the terrestrial planets formed, and delivery of asteroidal or cometary material from beyond the zone of the terrestrial planets. We explore a new idea, direct adsorption of water onto grains prior to planetary accretion. This hypothesis is motivated by the observation that the accretion disk from which our planetary system formed was composed of solid grains bathed in a gas dominated by hydrogen, helium, and oxygen. Some of that hydrogen and oxygen combined to make water vapor. We examine quantitatively adsorption of water onto grains in the inner Solar System accretion disk by exploring the adsorption dynamics of water molecules onto forsterite surfaces via kinetic Monte Carlo simulations. We conclude that many Earth oceans of water could be adsorbed.     

Compositional constraints on giant planet formation

Using Ockham's razor as a guide, we have tried to find the simplest model for the formation of giant planets that can explain current observations of atmospheric composition. While this “top-down” approach is far from sufficient to define such models, it establishes a set of boundary conditions whose satisfaction is necessary. Using Jupiter as the prototype, we find that a simple model for giant planet formation that begins with a solar nebula of uniform composition and relies on accretion of low temperature icy planetesimals plus collapse of surrounding solar nebula gas supplies that satisfaction. We compare the resulting predictions of elemental abundances and isotope ratios in the atmospheres of the other giants with those from contrasting models and suggest some key measurements to make further progress.     

The future of Genesis science

Solar abundances are important to planetary science since the prevalent model assumes that the composition of the solar photosphere is that of the solar nebula from which planetary materials formed. Thus, solar abundances are a baseline for planetary science. Previously, solar abundances have only been available through spectroscopy or by proxy (CI). The Genesis spacecraft collected and returned samples of the solar wind for laboratory analyses. Elemental and isotopic abundances in solar wind from Genesis samples have been successfully measured despite the crash of the re‐entry capsule. Here we present science rationales for a set of 12 important (and feasible postcrash) Science and Measurement Objectives as goals for the future (Table 1). We also review progress in Genesis sample analyses since the last major review (Burnett 2013 ). Considerable progress has been made toward understanding elemental fractionation during the extraction of the solar wind from the photosphere, a necessary step in determining true solar abundances from solar wind composition. The suitability of Genesis collectors for specific analyses is also assessed. Thus far, the prevalent model remains viable despite large isotopic variations in a number of volatile elements, but its validity and limitations can be further checked by several Objectives.     

Meteoritical and dynamical constraints on the growth mechanisms and formation times of asteroids and Jupiter

Thermal models and radiometric ages for meteorites show that the peak temperatures inside their parent bodies were closely linked to their accretion times. Most iron meteorites come from bodies that accreted <0.5 Myr after CAIs formed and were melted by ²⁶Al and ⁶⁰Fe, probably inside 2 AU. Rare carbon-rich differentiated meteorites like ureilites probably also come from bodies that formed <1 Myr after CAIs, but in the outer part of the asteroid belt. Chondrite groups accreted intermittently from diverse batches of chondrules and other materials over a 4 Myr period starting 1 Myr after CAI formation when planetary embryos may already have formed at ∼1 AU. Meteorite evidence precludes accretion of late-forming chondrites on the surface of early-formed bodies; instead chondritic and non-chondritic meteorites probably formed in separate planetesimals. Maximum metamorphic temperatures in chondrite groups are correlated with mean chondrule age, as expected if ²⁶Al and ⁶⁰Fe were the predominant heat sources. Because late-forming bodies could not accrete close to large, early-formed bodies, planetesimal formation may have spread across the nebula from regions where the differentiated bodies formed. Dynamical models suggest that the asteroids could not have accreted in the main belt if Jupiter formed before the asteroids. Therefore Jupiter probably reached its current mass >3-5 Myr after CAIs formed. This precludes formation of Jupiter via a gravitational instability <1 Myr after the solar nebula formed, and strongly favors core accretion. Jupiter probably formed too late to make chondrules by generating shocks directly, or indirectly by scattering Ceres-sized bodies across the belt. Nevertheless, shocks formed by gravitational instabilities or Ceres-sized bodies scattered by planetary embryos may have produced some chondrules. The minimum lifetime for the solar nebula of 3-5 Myr inferred from the total spread of CAI and chondrule ages may exceed the median lifetime of 3 Myr for protoplanetary disks, but is well within the 1-10 Myr observed range. Shorter formation times for extrasolar planets may help to explain their unusual orbits compared to those of solar giant planets.     

Origin of the differences in refractory-lithophile-element abundances among chondrite groups

Chondrite groups can be distinguished on the basis of their abundances of refractory lithophile elements (RLE). These abundances are, in part, functions of the mass fraction of Ca-Al-rich inclusions (CAIs) within the chondrites. Carbonaceous chondrites contain the most CAIs and the highest RLE abundances; they also contain modally abundant fine-grained matrix material that consists largely of modified nebular dust. The amount of dust varied throughout the solar nebula: enstatite and ordinary chondrites formed in low-dust regions in the inner part of the nebula, R chondrites formed in higher-dust zones at somewhat greater heliocentric distances, and carbonaceous chondrites formed in even dustier regions farther from the Sun. The amount of ambient dust peaked in the region where CV and CK chondrites accreted; these chondrites have abundant matrix, the highest modal abundances of CAIs, and the highest bulk RLE contents. Substantial amounts of nebular dust occurred in highly porous multi-millimeter-to-centimeter-size dustballs that were on the order of 100 times more massive than CAIs. Radial drift processes in the nebula affected these dustballs to approximately the same extent as the CAIs; both types of objects were aerodynamically concentrated in the same nebular regions. These regions maintained approximately the same relative amounts of dust through the periods of chondrule formation and chondrite accretion.     

Siderophile and chalcophile element abundances in shergottites: Implications for Martian core formation

Elemental abundances for volatile siderophile and chalcophile elements for Mars inform us about processes of accretion and core formation. Such data are few for Martian meteorites, and are often lacking in the growing number of desert finds. In this study, we employed laser ablation inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) to analyze polished slabs of 15 Martian meteorites for the abundances of about 70 elements. This technique has high sensitivity, excellent precision, and is generally accurate as determined by comparisons of elements for which literature abundances are known. However, in some meteorites, the analyzed surface is not representative of the bulk composition due to the over‐ or underrepresentation of a key host mineral, e.g., phosphate for rare earth elements (REE). For other meteorites, the range of variation in bulk rastered analyses of REE is within the range of variation reported among bulk REE analyses in the literature. An unexpected benefit has been the determination of the abundances of Ir and Os with a precision and accuracy comparable to the isotope dilution technique. Overall, the speed and small sample consumption afforded by this technique makes it an important tool widely applicable to small or rare meteorites for which a polished sample was prepared. The new volatile siderophile and chalcophile element abundances have been employed to determine Ge and Sb abundances, and revise Zn, As, and Bi abundances for the Martian mantle. The new estimates of Martian mantle composition support core formation at intermediate pressures (14 ± 3 GPa) in a magma ocean on Mars.     

Testing accretion mechanisms of the H chondrite parent body utilizing nucleosynthetic anomalies

Planetary bodies a few hundred kilometers in radii are the precursors to larger planets but it is unclear whether these bodies themselves formed very rapidly or accreted slowly over several millions of years. Ordinary H chondrite meteorites provide an opportunity to investigate the accretion time scale of a small planetary body given that variable degrees of thermal metamorphism present in H chondrites provide a proxy for their stratigraphic depth and, therefore, relative accretion times. We exploit this feature to search for nucleosynthetic isotope variability of ⁵⁴Cr, which is a sensitive tracer of spatial and temporal variations in the protoplanetary disk's solids, between 17 H chondrites covering all petrologic types to obtain clues about the parent body accretionary rate. We find no systematic variability in the mass‐biased corrected abundances of ⁵³Cr or ⁵⁴Cr outside of the analytical uncertainties, suggesting very rapid accretion of the H chondrite parent body consistent with turbulent accretion. By utilizing the μ⁵⁴Cr–planetary mass relationship observed between inner solar system planetary bodies, we calculate that the H chondrite accretion occurred at 1.1 ± 0.4 or 1.8 ± 0.2 Myr after the formation of calcium‐aluminum‐rich inclusions (CAIs), assuming either the initial ²⁶Al/²⁷Al abundance of inner solar system solids determined from angrite meteorites or CAIs from CV chondrites, respectively. Notably, these ages are in agreement with age estimates based on the parent bodies’ thermal evolution when correcting these calculations to the same initial ²⁶Al/²⁷Al abundance, reinforcing the idea of a secular evolution in the isotopic composition of inner disk solids.     

Computer simulations of planetary accretion dynamics: Sensitivity to initial conditions

We have tested the implications and limitations of Program ACRETE, a scheme based merely on Newtonian physics and accretion with unit sticking efficiency, devised by Dole in 1970 to simulate the origin of the planets. The dependence of the results on a variety of radial and vertical density distribution laws, on the ratio of gas to dust in the solar nebula, on the total nebula mass, and on the orbital eccentricity, ?, of the accreting grains are explored. Only for a small subset of conceivable cases are planetary systems closely like our own generated. Many models have tendencies toward one of two preferred configurations: multiple-star systems, or planetary systems in which Jovian planets either have substantially smaller masses than in our system or are absent altogether. But for a wide range of cases recognizable planetary systems are generated, ranging from multiple-star systems with accompanying planets, to systems with Jovian planets at several hundred astronomical units, to single stars surrounded only by asteroids. Many systems exhibit planets like Pluto and objects of asteroidal mass, in addition to usual terrestrial and Jovian planets. No terrestrial planets were generated more massive than five Earth masses. The number of planets per system is for most cases of order 10, and, roughly, inversely proportional to ?. All systems generated obey a relation of the Titius-Bode variety for relative planetary spacing. The case with which planetary systems are generated using such elementary and incomplete physical assumptions supports the idea of abundant and morphologically diverse planetary systems throughout the Galaxy.     

Chemical characterization of a unique chondrite: Allan Hills 85085

Abstract— Allan Hills 85085 is a new and very important addition to the growing list of unique carbonaceous chondrites because of its unique chemical and mineralogical properties. Previously published data on ALH85085 have established its bulk composition, gross levels of volatile depletion, siderophile enrichment, and the unique character of this unique meteorite. This chemical study provides more precise data on the major, minor, and trace element characteristics of ALH85085. ALH85085 has compositional, petrological, and isotopic affinities to Al Rais and Renazzo, and to Bencubbin-Weatherford. The similarities to Al Rais and Renazzo, in particular, suggest similar formation locations and thermal processing, possibly in the vicinity of CI chondrites. Petrologic, compositional and isotopic studies indicate that the components that control the abundance of the various refractory and volatile elements were not allowed to equilibrate with the nebula as conditions changed. This lack of equilibration could explain some of the compositional and petrologic variations within and between these meteorites and the inconsistencies in the classification of these meteorites using known taxonomic parameters. It is also apparent that the compositional trends implied by the application of taxonomic parameters probably did not vary simply with heliocentric distance. In addition, variations in the agglomeration of diverse nebular phases along with local and regional temperature events may strongly influence the bulk composition of meteorites.     

Origin and evolution of planetary atmospheres: An introduction to the problem

Planetary atmospheres have their birth in certain physical and chemical events in the primitive solar nebula. These events involve irreversible volatile retention through condensation and accretion of planetesimals and giant planets whose volatile inventory can survive the subsequent dissipation of the nebula. Clues to these earliest processes are inferred not without difficulty from the observed volatile compositions of present-day planetary and satellite atmospheres, meteorites and comets. The origins of terrestrial-type atmospheres appear to have involved outgassing of the solid planet with compositions and rates intimately connected to the late growth and thermal evolution of the planet itself. Subsequent evolutionary processes such as escape of certain light elements and cometary and meteoritic infall appear to be of general significance; others such as atmosphere- hydrosphere-crust interactions and development and influence of living organisms are highly specific. Our knowledge of these highly specific areas is largely restricted to the last 3.8 billion years on earth and is based upon analyses of the geologic record which are not presently available for Venus, Titan or the pre-Archean earth and are only available in a superficial way for Mars. In this introductory paper we attempt to draw an integrated picture of the atmospheric evolutionary process being careful to define the outstanding problems, to differentiate theory from fact, and to emphasize the strengths and weaknesses of apriori and aposteriori approaches to these problems.