Micro-structure and formation history of the ureilite meteorite parent body, a potential lost planet?

Mary Spencer will investigate the mineralogy, microstructure and geochemistry of ureilite meteorites. This study will bring new constraints on the deformation and the shock conditions these meteorites have experienced, and where they initially formed in the Solar System in relation to the Sun and Earth before being transported to the asteroid belt. For this, she will use electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy at the Université of Toulouse to study their mineralogy and microstructure of minerals such as olivine, enstatite, graphite and diamonds. She will be able to further address the origin and formation processes of the diamonds (solar nebula, shock or high pressure deep in a planetary interior). TO BE CONT’D

Faculty Supervisor:

Audrey Bouvier;Anthony Withers

Student:

Partner:

Université Paul Sabatier;Université Clermont Auvergne

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

University:

Western University

Program:

Globalink Research Award