Timing of Early Solar System Isotopic Evolution: Resolving Temporal Discrepancies and Isotopic Variability in Chondrules through Multi-Element Analysis

This project aims to resolve longstanding uncertainties in the early solar system’s history by analyzing chondrules—millimeter-sized particles found in meteorites. Chondrules, formed in the protoplanetary disk that surrounded the young Sun, hold key insights into early solar system evolution and planetary formation. However, discrepancies in the dating of these objects using different chronometric systems have led to debates about their formation timeline. This research will employ high-precision isotope analysis of magnesium, silicon, and chromium in chondrules from both inner and outer solar system meteorites. By examining mass-independent isotopic heterogeneity, the project seeks to refine our understanding of the conditions and processes that shaped the early solar system, ultimately enhancing astrophysical models of mass distribution and migration within the protoplanetary disk.