Sources and Processes in the Early Solar System - an Isotopic Study

The solar system formed 4,567 million years (Myr) ago. From a cold molecular cloud to a planetary system took less than 10 Myr. This project aims to test models of solar nebula formation by tying together different chronometers and materials that formed during different processes. Despite the old age, we are able to resolve events at the 1 Myr level allowing us to distinguish between the ages of refractory inclusions, chondrules and planetary bodies. We will use techniques that are leading the discipline to address issues of solar nebula accretion, stellar ignition, and planet formation. The techniques we develop can also be applied to dating geological materials allowing unprecedented resolution in the geological record.