Cosmic and Planetary Material Evolution
Hibiya Laboratory

Unraveling the origin and Material Evolution of the Solar System

All the matter that makes up our bodies and our planet comes from stars that exploded in space before the formation of our solar system.
Meteorites serve as time capsules, preserving the primordial materials created by these stars. In contrast, Earth's rocks record the evolution of solar system materials through planetary processes. By comprehensively comparing and analyzing the meteorites and the Earth's rocks, we can unravel the formation mechanism of the Earth and the Solar System over a period of 4.5 billion years.
We are investigating the formation and evolution of the solar system by deciphering the information recorded in planetary materials. This is achieved through a combination of mineralogical analysis and isotopic analysis using mass spectrometry.

Early Solar System Material Evolution

We aim to elucidate the types of stars in the early solar system's vicinity and the material evolution within the protoplanetary disk by analyzing meteorites and their components. Specifically, we apply isotope analysis and dating methods using mass spectrometry, as well as mineralogical texture observations using microscopes. By discussing the melting environments and spatial information of individual samples with a time axis, we aim to unravel the material evolution leading to planet (planetesimal) formation.

Solar System Material Evolution After Earth's Formation

The building blocks of Earth are suggested to be a mixture of various meteorite types that have changed over time. By identifying the origin of Earth's constituent materials from a cosmochemical perspective, we aim to position early Earth evolution research within the broader context of solar system material evolution. Recently, we have been exploring extraterrestrial processes that occurred during Earth's formation by studying igneous rocks derived from the deep mantle and impact spherule layers preserved on Earth.

Development of Analytical Instruments and Chemical Analysis Methods for Future Sample Return Missions

We also participate in international planetary exploration, and contribute to the future of space exploration in the field of planetary science. Specifically, we are developing mass spectrometers and analytical methods to extract maximum chemical information from future sample return missions. Recently, we have been advancing fundamental scientific research for future extraterrestrial resource exploration by comparing analytical results of meteorite samples with observation data from probes.

Member

• 
• • Associate Professor
    Yuki HIBIYA
  Research Area: Isotope Cosmochemistry

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