Impacts and Astromaterials Research Centre
IARC: astrobiology, collection, impacts, people, planets, presolar materials, publications, solar systems
The Impacts and Astromaterials Research Centre addresses a wide range of fundamental planetary science questions ranging from the origins of the Solar System to the continuing evolution of the planets, asteroids and comets. The IARC initiative brings together planetary scientists, facilities and resources from the Department of Earth Science and Engineering (ESE), Imperial College London and the Mineralogy Department of The Natural History Museum (NHM) into a multidisciplinary centre committed to the characterisation of the processes and materials that dictate the nature of planetary bodies and systems. The research conducted by IARC focuses on combining the computational modelling of processes, the characterisation of meteorites and cosmic dust, and the interpretation of space mission data to address problems in planetary science.
Research
The Formation of Solar Systems
Meteorites and cosmic dust, samples of asteroids and comets, date back to the earliest history of our Solar System. These are samples of a planetary system in the making and allow us to study the formation of solar systems directly in the laboratory by analysis of the minerals, compositions and textures of these extraordinary rocks.
Stars and the Interstellar Medium
Within meteorites and cosmic dust are materials that predate our Solar System. Some of these grains formed in supernovae, some in other stars, some in the depths of interstellar space. Presolar grains provide samples that allow processes occuring throughout our galaxy to be studied in the laboratory.
The Evolution of Planets and Moons
After their accretion in the Solar Nebula, the planets and moons continued to evolve. Their interiors seperated into cores, mantles and crusts. Magmatism and volcanism occurred on their surfaces as did erosion and weathering. The evolution of these objects can be studied through the investigation of meteorites and rocks, and observations by spacecraft of their surface features.
Impact Processes and Craters
The collision of asteroids and comets with planets and moons has occurred throughout the 4.5 billion year history of our Solar System. These catastrophic events have shaped the surfaces, geology and histories of the planets since their formation. Impacts are studied through the direct investigation of terrestrial craters, the modelling of impact processes, experiments, and observations of planetary surfaces.
Astrobiology
How did life evolve on Earth and does it occur elsewhere in our Solar System? These questions are fundamental in answering whether we are alone in the Universe. Astrobiology research in IARC addresses these questions through studies of the early Earth, studies of microbes and their adaptive strategies, as well as investigating the potential for life on other objects in our Solar System.
Collecting Extraterrestrial Materials
Samples of extraterrestrial materials from Solar System objects and beyond provide unique opportunities in studying the formation and evolution of planets and planetary system. Through collection of meteorites and cosmic dust on Earth, and in space, together with the curation of these materials, IARC is actively involved in the recovery of extraterrestrial materials for scientific study.
Facilities and Resources
IARC has access to a wide range of world-class analytical facilities and research resources:
Electron Microscope Unit at the Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum maintains a world-class electron microscopy facility comprising two analytical scanning electron microscopes, a field emission scanning electron microscope, an electron microprobe and a transmission electron microscope.
Transmission Electron Microscope Suite at Imperial College London
The Department of Materials at Imperial College London maintains a transmission electron microscope facility comprising three analytical instruments and a FIB-SIMS.
GCMS Laboratory at Imperial College London
Prof Mark Sephton of IARC maintains a the GCMS laboratory at Imperial College London dedicated to high precision analysis and characterisation of organic molecules.
ICP-MS Facility at the Natural History Museum
The N atural History Museum maintains a world-class ICP-MS laboratory, featuring both single and m ulti-collector instruments dedicated to chemical and isotopic analyses of planetary materials.
Computational Modelling Resources at Imperial College London
The Department of ESE maintains computational facilities, including specially designed hydrodynamic codes, for numerical modelling of impact cratering and analysis of other planetary processes.
Meteorite Collection of the Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum maintains and curates a world-leading collection of over 1,800 meteorites for scientific study.
Palaeomagnetism Laboratory at Imperial College London
Dr. Adrian Muxworthy of IARC runs the palaeomagnetism laboratory allowing for the detailed analysis and characterisation of magnetic minerals.
Training and Education
PhD Opportunities
IARC offers a wide range of PhD projects and has an active postgraduate research programme. We also welcome approaches from students who wish to discuss research projects within their own area of interest.
Undergraduate Courses
IARC contributes three courses to the undergraduate degrees offered by the Department of Earth Science and Engineering including planetary geology, developments in planetary geophysics and geochemistry, and Earth systems. MSci Planetary research projects are also supervised by IARC.
Public Understanding of Science
IARC maintains an active involvement in the public understanding of science through the Natural History Museum's activities and exhibitions. IARC scientists regularly give lectures and live web-broadcasts with Nature Live of the Natural History Museum.
PUST Activities
