National Institute of Polar Research

Evolution of early solar system inferred from extraterrestrial materials from Antarctica

Formation and evolution of planetesimals and planets in the early Solar System

Principal Investigator  Akira Yamaguchi

Petrologic and geochemical study of Antarctic meteorites and micrometeorites

Approximately 70% of meteorites have been recovered from Antarctica. Moreover, micrometeorites (tiny meteorites < 1–2 mm) have been found on snow, ice sheets and moraines. Meteorites and micrometeorites are derived from hundreds of asteroids and comets, which are remnants of planetesimals, the buildind blocks of planets. Small numbers of meteorites originated from the Moon and Mars.

Thus, the study of Antarctic meteorites helps us understand the origin of the solar system and the evolutionary history of planets. We perform mineralogical, petrological, geochemical and experimental studies of meteorites and micrometeorites to better understand the history of the Moon and Mars and the early Solar System.