Scientists discover meteorite older than Earth that likely came from a "protoplanet"

Scientists have made a remarkable discovery: a meteorite older than the Earth, which likely originated from a "protoplanet." The discovery provides new insights into the formation of our solar system and the early stages of planet formation. The meteorite, known as NWA 11119, was found in the Sahara desert in 2016 by a team of researchers from the University of Arizona. It is believed to have originated from an object that formed within the first 10 million years of the solar system's history, making it one of the oldest known meteorites. The researchers used a variety of techniques to analyze the meteorite's composition and structure. They found that it contains minerals that are not typically found in meteorites, including a mineral called spinel, which is commonly found in the mantles of terrestrial planets. This suggests that NWA 11119 originated from a parent body that was once geologically active, like the Earth. In addition, the researchers found that the meteorite contains high levels of isotopes of the elements chromium and titanium. This is significant because these isotopes are typically produced by the radioactive decay of short-lived isotopes of the elements aluminum and magnesium. The presence of these isotopes suggests that the parent body of NWA 11119 was once heated by the decay of these short-lived isotopes, indicating that it was once molten and differentiated, like a planet. Based on these findings, the researchers believe that NWA 11119 likely originated from a "protoplanet," a large body that was in the process of forming into a planet when it was destroyed by a collision with another object. This is significant because it provides new insights into the early stages of planet formation. According to current theories, planets form through a process called "accretion," in which dust and small particles in a protoplanetary disk clump together to form larger and larger objects, eventually forming planetesimals and then planets. However, the exact details of this process are still not well understood, particularly in the earliest stages of planet formation. The discovery of NWA 11119 provides new insights into these early stages. The high levels of isotopes of chromium and titanium suggest that the parent body of NWA 11119 was once heated by the decay of short-lived isotopes of aluminum and magnesium, which are thought to have been present in the early solar system. This heating would have caused the parent body to melt and differentiate, forming a core, mantle, and crust, like a planet. However, the parent body of NWA 11119 was not able to continue accreting to form a full-fledged planet. Instead, it was destroyed by a collision with another object, which sent fragments of the parent body hurtling through space, eventually leading to the meteorite's arrival on Earth. The discovery of NWA 11119 also has implications for the search for life elsewhere in the universe. Planetary differentiation is a key process in the formation of habitable planets, as it can create the conditions necessary for the development of a magnetic field, which protects the planet from harmful solar radiation. The fact that NWA 11119 originated from a parent body that was once differentiated suggests that similar processes may have occurred on other protoplanets in our solar system and beyond. Overall, the discovery of NWA 11119 is a significant milestone in our understanding of the early stages of planet formation. By providing new insights into the processes that led to the formation of planets like Earth, it opens up new avenues of research into the origins of our solar system and the search for life elsewhere in the universe. The discovery of NWA 11119 also sheds light on the complex and dynamic processes that shaped the early solar system. It is thought that collisions between large bodies were common during this time, and that these collisions played a major role in shaping the structure and composition of the solar system. The high levels of isotopes of chromium and titanium found in NWA 11119 suggest that the parent body underwent a particularly violent collision, which would have caused the short-lived isotopes of aluminum and magnesium to heat up and decay rapidly, producing the high levels of chromium and titanium isotopes seen in the meteorite. The discovery of NWA 11119 is part of a larger effort to study the composition and origin of meteorites. These rocks provide a unique window into the early history of our solar system, as they are thought to be remnants of the same material that formed the planets and other bodies in the solar system. Studying meteorites can help scientists piece together the processes that led to the formation of the solar system, and can also provide clues about the conditions necessary for the development of life. For example, some meteorites contain organic compounds, which suggest that similar compounds may have been present on Earth during its early history. The discovery of NWA 11119 is particularly significant because it provides new insights into the early stages of planet formation. By studying the composition and structure of the meteorite, scientists can learn more about the conditions that led to the formation of protoplanets, and can refine their models of how planets like Earth came to be. The discovery of NWA 11119 is also a testament to the power of modern analytical techniques. The researchers used a variety of methods, including electron microscopy and mass spectrometry, to analyze the meteorite's composition and structure. These techniques allowed them to uncover details that would have been impossible to discern just a few decades ago. The discovery of NWA 11119 is likely to lead to further research into the early history of our solar system. Scientists will continue to study meteorites in order to better understand the processes that led to the formation of planets and other bodies in the solar system. The discovery of NWA 11119 is also a reminder of the incredible complexity and diversity of the natural world. The fact that a meteorite can contain minerals that are not typically found in meteorites, and can provide clues about the early stages of planet formation, is a testament to the richness of the universe we inhabit. Finally, the discovery of NWA 11119 is a reminder of the importance of scientific research. By studying the natural world, we can gain a deeper understanding of our place in the universe, and can uncover new knowledge that can help us address some of the biggest challenges facing humanity.