Meteoritical History of the Solar System

[connorp]

I'm trying to create a chronological timeline of the formation of solids in the solar system with examples of meteorites for each step. Let me know if this order looks right.

First solids condense in the solar nebula (Calcium aluminum inclusions in carbonaceous chrondrites).

Chondrules rapidly form and begin to gravitational attract each other, forming the first minor planets (petrological type 3 chondrites).

Collisions of minor planets became more frequent as more formed and they got larger. Primitive achondrites were formed as a results of increased internal heating (due to larger bodies) and external heating from collisions.

Large asteroids become geologically differentiated (iron meteorites).

Asteroids accrete to form planetesimals (HED achondrites from 4 Vesta).

Rocky planets begin to form (shergottites and some Earth rock).

Planetary satellites are formed or captured (lunar breccia).

Does this look correct?

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

I'm sorry you are not finding help at the moment. Is there any additional information you can share with us?

 

[connorp]

Not really. All I really need clarification on is if the order is correct. Those are the only major events possible to include and the example specimens are definitely correct for each step. So just whether the order is right, which I suspect it is.

 

[lpetrich]

I think that you might want to list whatever sources that you are using. Review articles in the professional literature are often a good place to look. You may find various controversies about the ages of various objects. That's a natural part of cutting-edge research, and you ought to note that.

As to shergottites, they are not primordial. In fact, there is something called the Shergottite Age Paradox. Shergottites are about 180 million years old, but most of Mars's geological activity is much older than that. Are we lucky in getting lots of fragments from an impact event on some young rock?

 

[pmacias]

I would like to commend you on your efforts to create a chronological timeline of the formation of solids in the solar system. Your order appears to be generally correct, but it is important to note that the formation of solids in the solar system is a complex and ongoing process that is still being studied and understood. Therefore, it is possible that new discoveries and evidence may lead to adjustments in this timeline in the future.

Overall, your timeline does follow the general understanding of the meteoritical history of the solar system. The first solids to form were calcium aluminum inclusions in carbonaceous chondrites, which are thought to have condensed from the solar nebula. This was followed by the rapid formation of chondrules, which then gravitationally attracted each other to form the first minor planets, represented by petrological type 3 chondrites.

As collisions between these minor planets became more frequent, they grew in size and increased internal heating led to the formation of primitive achondrites. The differentiation of larger asteroids, such as 4 Vesta, led to the formation of iron meteorites. These processes continued as asteroids accreted to form planetesimals, represented by HED achondrites, and eventually rocky planets such as Earth, represented by shergottites and some Earth rocks.

It is important to note that the formation of planetary satellites, such as the Moon, is still a topic of ongoing research and debate. Some theories suggest that they were formed through the same processes as planet formation, while others suggest that they were captured later on. The lunar breccia samples you mentioned may represent a combination of both processes.

Overall, your timeline appears to be accurate and well-supported by current scientific understanding. However, as with any scientific topic, it is important to continue to gather evidence and revise our understanding as new information becomes available. Keep up the good work!