𝕸y 𝕻𝖎𝖑𝖌𝖗𝖎𝖒𝖒𝖆𝖌𝖊 𝖙𝖔 𝕸𝖊𝖙𝖊𝖔𝖗𝖎𝖙𝖎𝖈 𝕸𝖊𝖈𝖈𝖆 with the leads from the […]

𝕸y 𝕻𝖎𝖑𝖌𝖗𝖎𝖒𝖒𝖆𝖌𝖊 𝖙𝖔 𝕸𝖊𝖙𝖊𝖔𝖗𝖎𝖙𝖎𝖈 𝕸𝖊𝖈𝖈𝖆
with the leads from the ASU Center for Meteorite Studies, in its 60th year of operation, studying and classifying meteorites like forensic geologists spanning many world going back in time, even before our Earth formed. And they have a treasure trove of meteorites! I was like a kid in a candy shop when they opened the vault, and then the nitrogen filled storage bins with the rich organic emissaries from outer space.

They are actively studying the compositions of the most primitive classes of meteorites to better understand the time scales and processes involved in the formation of the first solid grains in the solar nebula, that eventually led to the formation of rocky planets like Earth and Mars. Meenakshi Wadhwa is the Director of the School of Earth and Space Exploration and will the the primary scientist for the Mars Sample Return Program (the 38 core samples to be obtained by the Perseverance rover). The techniques for meteoritic studies are quite relevant for sample returns of all types, whether from meteor, robot or human exploration. Let’s explore…