CosmochemistryHow did the Solar System's chemical composition evolve? This textbook provides the answers in the first interdisciplinary introduction to cosmochemistry. It makes this exciting and evolving field accessible to undergraduate and graduate students from a range of backgrounds, including geology, chemistry, astronomy and physics. The authors - two established leaders who have pioneered developments in the field - provide a complete background to cosmochemical processes and discoveries, enabling students outside geochemistry to understand and explore the Solar System's composition. Topics covered include: - synthesis of nuclides in stars - partitioning of elements between solids, liquids and gas in the solar nebula - overviews of the chemistry of extraterrestrial materials - isotopic tools used to investigate processes such as planet accretion and element fractionation - chronology of the early Solar System - geochemical exploration of planets Boxes provide basic definitions and mini-courses in mineralogy, organic chemistry, and other essential background information for students. Review questions and additional reading for each chapter encourage students to explore cosmochemistry further. |
Contents
1 | |
29 | |
3 Origin of the elements | 54 |
elementsand isotopes | 85 |
a record of stellar nucleosynthesis and processes in interstellar space | 120 |
a record of nebular and planetary processes | 157 |
7 Cosmochemical and geochemical fractionations | 192 |
8 Radioisotopes as chronometers | 230 |
organic matter noble gases and ices | 354 |
11 Chemistry of anhydrous planetesimals | 382 |
12 Chemistry of comets and other icebearing planetesimals | 412 |
Moon and Mars as case studies | 445 |
14 Cosmochemical models for the formation of the solar system | 484 |
Some analytical techniques commonly used in cosmochemistry | 518 |
543 | |
9 Chronology of the solar system from radioactive isotopes | 308 |
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Common terms and phrases
accretion analyses asteroids atoms basalts CAIs carbon carbonaceous chondrites Chapter chemical compositions chondrules comets components condensation core cosmic rays cosmochemical cosmochemistry Cosmochimica Acta crust crystallization decay differentiation dust early solar system electron energy eucrites evolution formation formed fractionation galaxy geochemical geochemistry Geochimica et Cosmochimica H chondrites helium hydrogen interstellar iron meteorites isochron isotopic isotopic compositions lithophile lunar magma mantle Mars Martian meteorites mass spectrometer materials McSween measured melting metal metamorphism minerals molecular cloud molecules Moon neutrons noble gas noble gases nuclear nuclei nucleosynthesis nuclides olivine orbital ordinary chondrites oxidation oxygen isotopic parent bodies particles Planetary Science planetesimals presolar grains processes produced protons pyroxene radioactive radionuclides ratio reactions refractory relative rocks s-process samples short-lived siderophile silicate silicon carbide solar composition solar nebula solar system solar system abundances spacecraft spectra stars stellar stellar nucleosynthesis supernova surface temperature thermal types volatile elements Wasserburg X-ray