We present a new model for lunar accretion with a terrestrial synestia. The Moon is depleted in volatile elements compared to Earth. Our model explains the pattern and magnitude of depletion of these elements. The key is understanding the pressures and temperatures of the rock vapor environment around the growing Moon. More information about our [...]
Welcome to Bethany Chidester and Megan Duncan!
The Origins Group finds many reasons to throw a party. The latest reason was making planet cakes! We made Jupiter and Earth with Pangea. (Image gallery -- click on the cakes)
Graduate student Simon Lock and Sarah Stewart define and explain a new type of planetary object. A synestia is formed by a giant impact. Synestias are an important stage of terrestrial planet formation, leading to mixing within the structure and the formation of moons. Our work is published today in the Journal of Geophysical Research Planets. [...]
U. California has funded a new center in high energy density science. This center is a collaboration between 5 UC campuses, LLNL and LANL. One of the themes of our center is material properties under extreme conditions and applications to planetary science.
Please contact Sarah if you are interested in our graduate program in planetary sciences. Our application deadline have moved to December 15.
Our new model for the tidal evolution of the moon was published online today in Nature: Tidal Evolution of the Moon from a high-obliquity, high-angular-momentum Earth. The tidal evolution is a big piece of the puzzle of lunar origin. Read more about our work on making the Earth and Moon.
We are installing the new 2-stage light gas gun. This instrument lets us reach pressures found in the Earth's core. It was built by Physics Applications Inc.
Kun Wang and Stein Jacobsen's new paper "Potassium isotopic evidence for a high-energy giant impact origin of the Moon", published online in Nature, supports the idea that the Moon condensed from a highly vaporized Earth and disk.
Our lab has moved from Harvard to UC Davis!
