Cosmochemistry is an interdisciplinary science that overlaps with geochemistry, geology, astronomy, astrophysics, and geophysics to discover the materials and fundamental processes in the solar nebula and our Solar System. Cosmochemistry research within SOEST involves studies of the raw materials that were the building blocks for the Solar System, including presolar grains from meteorites, interplanetary dust particles, and comet samples returned by the Stardust mission. Researchers and students investigate the timing of events during the formation of the Solar System through studies of short-lived radionuclides. Early Solar System processes are investigated through measurements of chemical compositions, trace-element abundances, isotopic fractionations, and the unique variations exhibited by oxygen isotopes.
People
Facilities and Labs
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Advanced Electron Microscopy Center (AEMC) The Advanced Electron Microscopy Center (AEMC) is a service facility that provides sample preparation and electron and ion microscopy imaging... -
Electron Microprobe Facility The JEOL Hyperprobe JXA-8500F is a state-of-the-art system for acquiring major, minor, and trace element concentrations in minerals, glasses, and... -
Hawai‘i Space Grant Consortium Focused on education, research, and service programs that promote a public understanding of NASA's goals and missions including: space and earth...
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W.M. Keck Cosmochemistry Laboratory Driving interdisciplinary research into the origin of the solar system. Lab instruments obtain in situ measurements of chemical and isotopic...
