The Coordinated Analysis group uses a combination of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ion microprobe, and spectroscopic measurements to extract the maximum science from primitive astromaterials.

By studying the mineralogy and chemistry of presolar and early solar system materials preserved in meteorites and cometary dust particles, we learn about the raw materials for the formation and evolution of the solar system. This work includes analyses of calcium and aluminum rich inclusions, interplanetary dust particles (IDPs), presolar grains, and samples of comet Wild-2 returned by the Stardust mission.

The group also studies both early and continuing alteration of asteroids and the Moon, including space weathering, shock, and aqueous alteration. Space weathering effects preserved on rock surfaces (patina) and individual soil grains are investigated through nm-scale chemical mapping and microstructural studies using TEM. Constraining the petrographic characteristics of space weathering enables a better understanding of modified optical properties measured by remote-sensing, which is directly relevant to understanding the origin and evolution of asteroid and lunar regolith as well as the interpretation of global datasets obtained by remote-sensing. Our investigations of aqueous alteration focus on the nature and activity of aqueous alteration in the first few tens of millions of years of asteroid evolution, including studies of inorganic and organic components. The group’s research on shock features spans a wide range of physical and chemical responses in U-bearing accessory minerals.

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Publications