Cosmology; forming early Earth findings (Introduction)

by David Turell , Friday, December 07, 2018, 00:23 (1962 days ago) @ David Turell

Using Neon and its isotopes :

"The early formation of Earth was a relatively rapid process that trapped water and gases in the planet's mantle from the cloud of gas and dust surrounding the sun, according to researchers from the US.

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"By examining the relative amounts of two neon isotopes, the researchers were able to distinguish between different sources of volatile chemicals in the planet’s interior. With each isotope being stable and non-radioactive, the amounts have been constant since formation and will remain so forever, say the researchers.

"The three most likely sources of the two neon isotopes – nebular gas, solar-wind-irradiated planetesimals and chondrite meteorites – are each predicted to have distinct ratios.

"The researchers took measurements from ocean-floor basalts formed when flows from deep within the Earth spilled out and cooled in the ocean, and compared them to measurements from solar wind particles, irradiated lunar soils, and meteorites.

"The ratios of Earth-bound neon in the deep basalts closely matched the values from the solar nebula, well above those for the “irradiated particles” or “late accretion” models. And this, says Williams, supports the model of Earth’s rapid early formation.

“'This is a clear indication that there is nebular neon in the deep mantle,” explains Williams.

"According to Williams, to absorb these vital compounds a planet needs to reach a size equivalent to Mars, or a little larger, before the solar nebula dissipates.

"Further measurements found differences in the neon isotope ratios between the deep mantle plumes and mid-ocean ridges which, according to the authors, is best explained by a component of volatile gases also being provided by chondrite meteorites during the main phase of accretion, after nebula gases had already been captured in the early stages."

Comment: Amazing research.