Chemistry of the Moon-Forming Impact

Details Chemistry of the Moon-Forming Impact Chemistry of the Moon-Forming Impact

Jan 2012

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2012aas...21930101f&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #219, #301.01

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Scientific paper

We model chemistry of the Moon-forming impact using chemical equilibrium, and where relevant, chemical kinetic calculations. We present results as a function of T and P for the average composition of the Earth plus Moon. Some results are (1) molecular and monatomic oxygen are important gases, and thus the post-impact silicate vapor atmosphere is significantly more oxidizing than the hydrogen-rich solar nebula, (2) SiO is the major Si-bearing gas over a large P-T range, (3) the "condensation" chemistry and volatility sequence is significantly different than in the solar nebula, and (4) tungsten (and other "refractory" metals) become much more volatile in the silicate vapor atmosphere than in the solar nebula because W reacts with oxygen forming W oxide gases. We discuss some implications for astronomical observations of similar impacts in other solar systems and for lunar and terrestrial geochemistry. We acknowledge support from the NSF Astronomy Program and from NASA.

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