2020 - 2021 session
The University lecture rooms remain closed, and so the following meetings
will be held via video using the Zoom system
13 April: Prof. Tim Elliott (University of Bristol) - Recipes for Making the Earth
The main ingredients usually invoked to make planets are primitive meteorites, the chondrites. Although believed to be broadly representative of the solar disk from which planets grew, there are subtle differences in the compositions of different chondrite groups. An important question has therefore been what quantities of the different chondrites are needed to make the Earth. It transpires that one answer is obtained by considering elemental compositions and another using their isotopic characteristics. I argue that this dilemma is resolved if elemental abundances are modified by vapour loss as a natural consequence of the energetic process of collisional planetary accretion. So overall, a respectable Earth can be made from a starting composition of enstatite chondrite that has been wantonly over-cooked.
11th May: Annual General Meeting
Please login into the zoom system between 7 and 7.25 pm, as once the lecture starts it is difficult for Judy to keep track of the talk, waiting room and zoom messages.
Other dates yet to be confirmed
WEGA members will be emailed with the invitation to each of these zoom meetings separately