Articles tagged with Solar System Formation
A new study using a tiny fragment of zircon extracted from Australia's Jack Hills region confirms the Earth's crust formed at least 4.4 billion years ago, providing evidence for a 'cool early Earth' theory. The findings suggest temperatures were low enough for liquid water and oceans to form.
The asteroid belt's diverse composition suggests that giant planets' migrations reshaped the solar system, potentially delivering water to Earth and influencing its habitability. Small asteroids show particularly varied compositions, suggesting a complex history of collisions and re-deposition.
A new asteroid map reveals that rogue asteroids, once considered anomalous, are actually diverse and widespread throughout the main asteroid belt. The study suggests that the early solar system underwent dramatic changes, potentially affecting planetary migration and Earth's water development.
The SwRI-led ISET team will study the origin, evolution, and physical properties of near-Earth asteroids and their moons, aiming to better understand their potential for cost-effective human exploration. The research will also investigate minimoons, small bodies with the potential to provide insights into the history of the Solar System.
Researchers replicate formation of first silicate dust and find matching oxygen isotopes in stony meteorites, solving long-standing solar system formation puzzle. The discovery suggests a simple physical chemistry principle governed the early solar system.
A team of scientists has discovered the first-ever evidence of a comet striking Earth, with implications for understanding the solar system's formation. The discovery involves a mysterious black pebble containing the first known hand specimen of a comet nucleus.
Recent research from the Cassini-Huygens mission provides insights into the evolution of life on Earth from Titan, Saturn's moon. The findings shed light on the origin of life and the potential for life beyond Earth, with organic chemicals present on Titan's surface being influenced by sunlight and energy sources.
A new theoretical model suggests that an outburst event in the Sun's formative years could explain disparate evidence from comets and meteorites. The model also provides a possible explanation for the presence of heat-formed crystalline particles in comets and the ratios of aluminum isotopes found in primitive meteorites.
Astronomers have imaged the carbon monoxide snow line around a young star, TW Hydrae, for the first time. The discovery sheds light on planet and comet formation, with implications for the origin of life.
Astronomers use ALMA to image a snow line around TW Hydrae, a young star 175 light-years away, providing clues about the early Solar System. The discovery sheds light on the role of snow lines in planet formation and potentially seeds life with essential organic molecules.
Astronomers have discovered a crescent-shaped structure, known as a dust trap, around a young solar system in the constellation Ophiuchus. The researchers speculate that this feature enables dust particles to cling together, setting the stage for the formation of larger objects.
Astronomers studied young star TW Hydrae to understand the birth of our Sun, finding it was clumpy and episodic in accretion. The study revealed that accretion drove magnetic activity on TW Hydrae.
Researchers found two tiny silica grains in primitive meteorites, with unusual isotopic signatures suggesting they originated from a single core-collapse supernova. This discovery provides clues to the complex nuclear and convective processes operating within stars, shedding new light on stellar evolution and the solar system's formation.
A team of astronomers has made the most detailed examination yet of a Jupiter-like planet beyond our Solar System, discovering a cloudy atmosphere containing carbon monoxide and water vapour. The findings suggest that the system is like a scaled-up Solar System, with gas giants forming at great distances from their parent star
The study of HR 8799c's atmosphere suggests a core accretion process led to its formation, similar to our Solar System's formation. The exoplanet's composition reveals an elevated carbon-to-oxygen ratio, indicating water ice grains condensed and formed the planet's solid core.
A team of scientists has observed the most detailed spectrum yet of an extrasolar planet, revealing a cloudy atmosphere containing water vapor and carbon monoxide. The findings provide clues to the planet's formation and offer insights into how planets form in other solar systems.
Theoretical models demonstrate that gas giant planets can survive periodic outbursts of mass transfer from the gas disk onto the young star. These models show that Jupiter and Saturn could have formed through this process, supporting the presence of 20% of sun-like stars with gas giants.
A team of scientists analyzed 442 molybdenite samples to find that rhenium concentrations increased significantly over the past three billion years, reflecting increasing oxygen levels in the environment. The findings support previous research on hydrothermal activity and supercontinent formation influencing mineral evolution.
An international team led by Sascha Quanz has studied the disc of gas and dust around young star HD 100546, spotting a candidate protoplanet that could be a giant similar to Jupiter. The discovery provides an unique laboratory for studying the formation process of a new planetary system.
Researchers propose that charged particles trapped in the region create the ribbon as they escape as neutral atoms, producing higher fluxes of ENAs and forming the bright ribbon seen by IBEX. The model shows good association with observed data, offering insights into the nearby galactic magnetic field and its strength.
The team used laser-heated diamond anvil cell experiments to demonstrate that depletion of siderophile elements can be produced under more oxidizing conditions, suggesting oxygen played a prominent role in the Earth's core formation. This discovery allows for a reevaluation of planetary accretion and core formation processes.
Researchers found iron 60, a radioactive sign of an exploding star, in low abundance and uniformly distributed in solar system material. The findings suggest the low levels of iron 60 likely came from long-term accumulation of iron 60 in interstellar medium rather than a nearby cataclysmic event.
Astronomers have directly imaged a massive exoplanet, Kappa And b, orbiting the 2.5-solar-mass star Kappa Andromedae. The 'super-Jupiter' has a mass at least 13 times that of Jupiter and is bound to the star.
Researchers have revised the timeline of our solar system's formation using uranium and lead isotopes in primitive meteorites. The study reveals that chondrules formed during the first three million years, contrary to previous assumptions. This new understanding paints a more familiar picture of planetary system development.
A new model proposes that the Saturn system originated from giant impacts in which several major satellites merged to form Titan, resulting in the formation of Saturn's middle-sized moons. The model suggests these moons were formed from ice-rich material similar to Titan's mantle and have active geology and dynamics.
Scientists have discovered self-organized electromagnetic fields in counter-streaming ionized gases, which helps organize flows and shape solar systems. This breakthrough finding provides a new way to explore order emergence in the cosmos.
A recent study published in Icarus proposes a new perspective on the Moon's formation, suggesting a 'hit-and-run' Giant Impact scenario that resolves the Lunar Paradox. The research explores alternative collision geometries and impact velocities, which could provide a solution to the paradox and shed light on the Moon's origins.
New 3D models reveal that a supernova explosion likely triggered the formation of our Solar System, injecting polluted material into a cloud of dust and gas. The models show that only one or two fingers from the shock wave could have caused the pollution found in primitive meteorites.
Researchers modelled comets and asteroid particles to explain their origins and compositions. The study found that these particles could have been processed in the hot inner disk of the Solar System before traveling out to icy comets, shedding light on the puzzle of how comets acquired different rim compositions.
A team of scientists has made new discoveries about ancient meteorites, which provide clues to the early Solar System's formation. The research, published in Nature Geoscience, reveals that certain elements were present during the formation of these rocks, suggesting a late accretion process occurred earlier than previously thought.
A study published in Nature found that a cloud of dust circling a young star disappeared within three years, contradicting the commonly accepted timescale for dust removal. This sudden disappearance suggests that planet formation may be much faster or more efficient than previously thought.
Researchers found panguite, a titanium oxide mineral, in the Allende meteorite, which is considered one of the best-studied meteorites in history. The discovery sheds new light on the formation and evolution of the solar system.
Vesta's surface boasts a diverse array of terrain, including large impact craters and steep slopes. The planet's composition suggests it once had a molten interior, with an iron core at its center.
New findings from NASA's Dawn spacecraft provide the first geological overview of asteroid (4)Vesta, confirming two giant impact basins in its southern hemisphere. The surface is complex and varied, with abundant impact craters and preserved ejecta blankets, but no evidence of volcanic features.
Researchers discovered a shorter half-life of nucleus samarium-146, shrinking the assessed chronology of events in the early solar system to a shorter time span. This new value is consistent with recent dating made on a lunar rock and other chronometers.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have measured the half-life of samarium-146, revealing it decays in just 68 million years, significantly shorter than previously thought. This new value patches holes in current understanding and matches recent lunar rock dating, providing insight into solar system evolution.
Scientists found that conditions in the primordial solar system led to the formation of complex organic compounds, including amino acids and nucleobases. The discovery sheds light on the origins of life on Earth.
University of Hawaii scientists analyzed a tiny fragment from the comet Wild 2 to determine when it formed. The study found that the fragment formed at least three million years after the formation of the first solids in our Solar System, providing new insights into Jupiter's formation and the origins of the Solar System.
A recent study analyzed the photospheric stellar abundances of planet-host stars, uncovering a wide variety of terrestrial planet compositions. The results suggest that extrasolar planets may be significantly different from Earth due to variations in elemental ratios and planetary formation processes.
A University of Maryland team discovered that early-formed mantle portions survived Earth's formation, including a collision that created the Moon. Volcanic rocks from Russia show distinct tungsten isotope signatures, indicating that some parts of the early Earth may have remained intact until 2.8 billion years ago.
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory found a phase change in molten magnesium silicate that transforms to a more dense liquid with increasing pressure. This discovery provides insight into planet formation and suggests that extra-solar 'Super-Earth' planets may have different structures than Earth.
The study provides a glimpse into the mysterious neighborhood beyond our home, revealing an environment that doesn't match up with what we see in the solar system. IBEX's observations shed light on the formation of our solar system, the forces that shape it, and even the history of other stars in the Milky Way.
Scientists have identified areas with extreme potential for forming complex organic molecules, a key ingredient for life. These 'sweet spots' are found around newly formed stars and have conditions that support high methanol production.
Astronomers have detected stardust in debris discs of extra-solar planetary systems, providing insights into the planet formation process. The Jena research team found two systems with transiting planets, using photometric analysis to identify irregularities in the infrared range.
A team of scientists has re-dated a lunar rock sample from Apollo 16, concluding it is almost 100 million years younger than expected. The new age of 4.36 billion years suggests the Moon solidified later than previously thought, potentially making it much younger.
Researchers found opal-like crystals in a 2000 Canadian meteorite, suggesting conditions existed for their formation 4.6 billion years ago. The discovery implies magnetite colloidal crystals have promising potential as novel functional materials.
University of Alaska Fairbanks scientist Don Hampton analyzed the comet Hartley 2's nucleus, revealing a dynamic mass of ice and dust emitting gases through cracks. This research provides valuable insights into the composition and unique behavior of comets, shedding light on their role in the solar system's history.
Researchers propose a new theory on Mars' small size and low mass, suggesting that Jupiter's early gas-driven migration stripped the region of formation materials. The 'Grand Tack Scenario' simulation explains properties of the asteroid belt and its compositional differences between inner- and outer-belt bodies.
Scientists have discovered magma trapped within lunar crystals contain 100 times more water than earlier measurements, changing the prevailing theory about the Moon's origin. The findings could also shed light on the origin of water ice detected in craters at the lunar poles.
A CU-Boulder team will participate in the OSIRIS-REx mission, which aims to map and collect samples from a primitive asteroid. The mission is expected to provide insights into the formation of the solar system and potentially shed light on the origins of life.
A team of scientists from Brown University has detected an Earth-equivalent amount of water within the moon, rivaling the amount found in the Earth's upper mantle. The discovery was made through measurements of lunar melt inclusions and suggests that the Moon's formation theory may need to be reevaluated.
A new study published in Nature reveals that Mars developed in just two to four million years after the solar system's formation, significantly faster than Earth. This rapid formation helps explain why Mars is so small compared to our planet.
A new study published in Nature suggests Mars developed rapidly into a small planet due to its rapid formation. Scientists used the radioactive decay of hafnium to tungsten in meteorites as a chronometer and found that Mars likely didn't collide with other embryos to form an Earth-like planet.
A team of scientists has discovered a new mineral, krotite, which is believed to be one of the earliest minerals formed in our solar system. The mineral was found in an unusual inclusion embedded in a meteorite and is composed of calcium-aluminum-rich refractory material.
Scientists discovered minerals requiring liquid water for formation in comet Wild-2, shattering the current paradigm that comets are frozen in time. The discovery provides evidence of a warm water phase and puts an upper limit on temperatures encountered by the comet during its origin.
Researchers used oxygen isotope analysis to reconstruct the history of a pea-sized piece of a 4.57 billion-year-old meteorite, providing evidence that dust grains experienced wildly varying environments during planet formation.
Scientists have discovered that calcium, aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs) formed far away from the sun and later fell back into the mid-plane of the solar system. The findings provide new insights into the formation and evolution of our solar system, suggesting turbulent conditions during its early stages.
Early Earth's core may have formed from lighter chromium isotopes, which are mostly missing from the planet's mantle and crust. This finding provides new insights into the planet formation process.
Two new observations reveal detailed structures in protoplanetary disks of two young stars, including a large gap similar to our solar system's. The images suggest the presence of one or more massive planets sweeping up material from the disk, potentially forming an entire planetary system.
The Stardust NExT spacecraft will visit comet Tempel 1, taking photos of the crater formed during the Deep Impact mission. It will also measure particle size and distribution, and analyze their composition.