National Centre of Competence in Research PlanetS
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Volatiles in the solar system

Introduction

Project Leader: Prof. Maria Schönbächler

This project addresses central questions regarding the origin and evolution of volatiles in planets. Understanding the presence or absence of volatiles at the different stages of planet formation is important because the volatiles significantly influence the predominant physical and chemical processes (e.g., mantle dynamics, magmatism, oxidation state, core formation) and thus shape the final state of a planet, including its atmosphere and habitability. We tackle these questions by applying sophisticated analytical techniques to extraterrestrial samples in the laboratory.

785px-Comet-Hale-Bopp-29-03-1997_hires_adj

Comet Hale-Bopp as it flies over the sky of Pazin in Istria, Croatia.

IDP

A typical “fluffy” chondritic porous interplanetary dust particle composed of nanometre-sized mineral grains and organic matter. (Credit: N. Spring)

 Sub-Projects

Volatiles in the solar nebula

Prof. Klaus Mezger

This project targets the following question: What is the dominant mechanism of volatile depletion in the solar nebula: incomplete condensation from the solar nebula or evaporation during high-temperature processing e.g., chondrule formation?

To this end, we analyze the abundances and isotopic compositions of volatile elements in different meteorites and their components.

Hydration of planetesimals

Prof. Klaus Mezger

This project addresses the question: When and how did aqueous alteration occur that is recorded by various meteorite groups (representative for planetesimals)?

To this end, we date hydration minerals in various meteorite groups.

Timing of volatile delivery to planets

Prof. Maria Schönbächler

This project addresses the question: What is the timing of volatile addition/loss in planetesimals and planets?

To this end, we determine the timing, composition and magnitude of late accretion to the terrestrial planets using high precision isotope measurements.

Volatiles of planetary interiors and their possible influence on the atmosphere

Dr. Henner Busemann

This project addresses the question: How did the volatiles in the interior of terrestrial planets and their atmospheres evolve and to what extent were primary volatiles from the original building blocks involved, or later delivered e.g., via comets and asteroids?

To this end, we measure noble gases in meteorites, interplanetary and cometary dust.

News

Team

Posts

Eine Nacht, tausend (Weltraum-) Entdeckungen –  so faszinierte die «Nacht der Forschung» 2025

Eine Nacht, tausend (Weltraum-) Entdeckungen – so faszinierte die «Nacht der Forschung» 2025

Am Samstag, 6. September, wurde die Universität Bern zum Schauplatz für eine ganz besondere Begegnung zwischen Wissenschaft und Öffentlichkeit: Die Nacht der Forschung öffnete ihre Türen – bei sonnigem Wetter und angenehmen Temperaturen – und zog über 10’000 neugierige Besucherinnen und Besucher an. Eines der wichtigsten Themen war die Weltraumforschung. Alle drei Jahre bietet die […]

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Bringing the Digital Revolution to Direct Exoplanet Imaging with PLACID’s LCD Technology

Bringing the Digital Revolution to Direct Exoplanet Imaging with PLACID’s LCD Technology

A game-changing instrument is set to improve the detection and direct imaging of planets outside our Solar System by harnessing the power of liquid crystals. The Programmable Liquid-crystal Active Coronagraphic Imager for the DAG telescope (PLACID) was installed earlier this year at the 4m-diameter telescope of the newly-built Eastern Anatolian Observatory (DAG) observatory in Eastern […]

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Die Entstehung von Monden miterleben

Die Entstehung von Monden miterleben

Das James-Webb-Teleskop der NASA untersucht die Entstehung von Monden um einen massereichen Planeten. Ein UZH-Team nutzt die Daten, um die chemische Zusammensetzung einer Scheibe zu untersuchen, die den Planeten umgibt. Sie gilt als Grundlage für die Entstehung neuer Monde. Das James-Webb-Weltraumteleskop der NASA hat die ersten direkten Messungen der chemischen und physikalischen Eigenschaften einer möglicherweise […]

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