Evidence of a primordial isotopic gradient in the inner region of the solar protoplanetary disc
- Author(s)
- J. Mah, R. Brasser, J. M.Y. Woo, A. Bouvier, S. J. Mojzsis
- Abstract
Not only do the sampled terrestrial worlds (Earth, Mars, and asteroid 4 Vesta) differ in their mass-independent (nucleosynthetic) isotopic compositions of many elements (e.g. ϵ48Ca, ϵ50Ti, ϵ54Cr, ϵ92Mo), the magnitudes of some of these isotopic anomalies also appear to correlate with heliocentric distance. While the isotopic differences between the Earth and Mars may be readily accounted for by the accretion of mostly local materials in distinct regions of the protoplanetary disc, it is unclear whether this also applies to asteroid Vesta. Here we analysed the available data from our numerical simulation database to determine the formation location of Vesta in the framework of three planet-formation models: classical, Grand Tack, and Depleted Disc. We find that Vesta has a high probability of forming locally in the asteroid belt in models where material mixing in the inner disc is limited; this limited mixing is implied by the isotopic differences between the Earth and Mars. Based on our results, we propose several criteria to explain the apparent correlation between the different nucleosynthetic isotopic compositions of the Earth, Mars, and Vesta: (1) these planetary bodies accreted their building blocks in different regions of the disc, (2) the inner disc is characterised by an isotopic gradient, and (3) the isotopic gradient was preserved during the formation of these planetary bodies and was not diluted by material mixing in the disc (e.g. via giant planet migration).
- Organisation(s)
- Department of Lithospheric Research
- External organisation(s)
- Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie, Tokyo Institute of Technology (TIT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Universität Münster, Université Côte d'Azur, Universität Bayreuth, University of Colorado, Boulder
- Journal
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Volume
- 660
- ISSN
- 0004-6361
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202142926
- Publication date
- 04-2022
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 105101 General geology
- Keywords
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Astronomy and Astrophysics, Space and Planetary Science
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/1f323f09-e3d0-46f4-8d57-44bf323cb426