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2013 Annual Science Report

Arizona State University Reporting  |  SEP 2012 – AUG 2013

Astrophysical Controls on the Elements of Life, Task 1: High-Precision Isotopic Studies of Meteorites

Project Summary

The initial Solar System abundances of the short-lived radionuclides (SLRs) 26Al (half life ~0.73 Ma) and 60Fe (half life ~2.6 Ma) are important to constrain since, if present in sufficient abundance, these SLRs served as heat sources for dehydration and differentiation processes on planetary bodies. The implications for this work include the astrophysical environment in which the Sun formed, and the abundance of water on the terrestrial planets.

Research on this task was completed in Year 4.

4 Institutions
3 Teams
0 Publications
0 Field Sites
Field Sites

Project Progress

This task was completed in Year 4.

  • PROJECT INVESTIGATORS:
    Meenakshi Wadhwa Meenakshi Wadhwa
    Project Investigator
  • PROJECT MEMBERS:
    Lev Spivak-Birndorf
    Collaborator

    Curtis Williams
    Collaborator

  • RELATED OBJECTIVES:
    Objective 1.1
    Formation and evolution of habitable planets.

    Objective 3.1
    Sources of prebiotic materials and catalysts