Tracking CHNOS during the early stages of planet formation with a model-laboratory approach

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Abstract

In the search for extraterrestrial life, the elements carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur (CHNOS) are critical, as they are the main elements that make up life on Earth. Predicting the amounts of these elements on other planets, determined during planet formation, and studying the effects of varying the amounts of these elements on a planet are thus of great importance. My research combines computer models with laboratory experiments to explore how these elements behave during planet formation.

Planets emerge from micrometre-sized dust present in planet-forming disks surrounding young stars. I developed novel computer models to track the effects of transport and collision processes on the amounts of CHNOS present in this micrometre-sized dust as it grows into centimetre-sized pebbles. Collisions between dust grains can play a significant role in the amounts of CHNOS present on dust grains in the form of ices of volatile molecules such as water and carbon dioxide.

Additionally, I conducted high-pressure, high-temperature experiments to explore the possible interiors of planets that may form around sulfur-rich stars. The amount of oxygen plays an important role: planets formed in an environment that contains moderate amounts of oxygen may have all sulfur concentrated in their metallic cores, which is similar to the rocky planets in our Solar System. In contrast, planets forming under very oxygen-rich conditions could form a more exotic interior structure, with most sulfur concentrated in their mantles as sulfate salts.
Original languageEnglish
QualificationDoctor of Philosophy
Awarding Institution
  • University of Groningen
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Kamp, Inga, Supervisor
  • van Westrenen, W., Supervisor, External person
Award date7-Jan-2025
Place of Publication[Groningen]
Publisher
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2025

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