Project Info

Petrogenesis of HED meteorites – insight into the internal structure of minor planet 4 Vesta

HED meteorites are thought to have been sourced from the minor planet 4 Vesta in the asteroid belt. Petrological investigation of these materials can inform us of the internal structure and composition of such bodies, which represent unique windows into the geological processes that operated during formation of the solar system. This project will involve hands-on petrological examination of a sample of a HED meteorite using cutting-edge analytical techniques.

More Information

Zuber, M.T., McSween, H.Y., Binzel, R.P., Elkins-Tanton, L.T., Konopliv, A.S., Pieters, C.M. and Smith, D.E., 2011. Origin, internal structure and evolution of 4 Vesta. Space science reviews, 163(1-4), pp.77-93.

McSween, H.Y., Mittlefehldt, D.W., Beck, A.W., Mayne, R.G. and McCoy, T.J., 2010. HED meteorites and their relationship to the geology of Vesta and the Dawn mission. In The Dawn Mission to Minor Planets 4 Vesta and 1 Ceres (pp. 141-174). Springer, New York, NY.

Grand Engineering Challenge: Not applicable

Student Preparation

Qualifications

Knowledge of igneous petrology is required and experience in constructing and interpreting phase diagrams is highly beneficial.

Time Commitment

20 hours/month

Skills/Techniques Gained

The student will gain experience using a combination of analytical techniques, including optical microscopy, automated mineralogy (FE-SEM/TIMA), and potentially electron-probe microanalysis (EPMA) and/or laser-ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) depending on progress. The results of the project will also be written up and published in an academic journal, and as such the student will gain experience in scientific writing.

Mentoring Plan

Following an extended introduction on the motivation, aims, and objectives of the project, the student and I will have weekly meetings and progress reports. The student will give monthly progress updates (e.g. PowerPoint presentations) to my research group, and will receive feedback on presentation style and content. Upon completion of the work, I will mentor the student in the process of writing a scientific article to be submitted to a journal for publication.