2016 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Asymmetric Crystallization of the Lunar Magma Ocean
| Project/Area Number |
16K17790
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| Research Institution | Tokyo Institute of Technology |
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Principal Investigator |
ラヌヴィル マチュー 東京工業大学, 地球生命研究所, 特任助教 (60739390)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2016-04-01 – 2018-03-31
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| Keywords | Moon / Differentiation / Magma ocean |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
We have split the question into several independent problems. (1) We improved Mg/Fe partitioning during magma ocean crystallization using updated bulk composition models and the thermodynamics software package MELTS. (2) We analyzed the timescale for asymmetric magma ocean crystallization and found that
the observed Mg# distribution at the surface is mostly controlled by the timing
delay between near- and farside crystallization and impact mixing of the upper layer of the crust. An unforeseen third part of the problem then became (3) mixing model of the upper layer of the crust by impacts, which we have just started to tackle.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.
Reason
The first half of FY2016 was devoted to code development and understanding what the main controls on the predictions are. We have done that successfully and presented the results in several international conferences, and are well on track for the rest of the project. I have answered (2) here, as we recently realized that understanding impact mixing of the upper crust is more important than previously thought. However, we do not expect this to lead to any significant delay in the final project.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
Progress has generally been fine, but we recognized the importance of mixing of the upper crust only after making progress in the first part of the project. Satellite remote sensing views only the surficial layer of the crust, which is
determined by the sequence of impacts during lunar evolution.
We are now considering how to best understand this process while remaining within the scope and duration of this project. Specifically, we investigate the outcome of mixing through scaling laws, and the shock-physics multi rheology software iSale.
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| Causes of Carryover |
I postponed the purchase of a new computer to FY2017, so I had to carry over about JPY300,000.
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| Expenditure Plan for Carryover Budget |
During FY2017, I will follow the initial plan, and buy the new computer that was planned for FY2016.
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