L. J. Hicks
A5070693444- Astro and Planetary Science
- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Space Exploration and Technology
- Geological and Geochemical Analysis
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
- Nuclear Physics and Applications
- High-pressure geophysics and materials
- Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
- Spacecraft and Cryogenic Technologies
- Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils
- Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena
- Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping
- Spaceflight effects on biology
- Mineralogy and Gemology Studies
- Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies
- Legume Nitrogen Fixing Symbiosis
- Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact
- Hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir analysis
- Enzyme Catalysis and Immobilization
- Pesticide Exposure and Toxicity
- Geological formations and processes
- Astronomy and Astrophysical Research
- Cassava research and cyanide
Clemson University
2024
University of Leicester
2013-2024
The Open University
2018
University of Oxford
2008
Cornell University
1977
Transmission electron microscopy and Fe-K X-ray absorption spectroscopy have been used to determine structure ferric content of the secondary phase mineral assemblages in nakhlite martian meteorites, NWA 998, Lafayette, Nakhla, GV, Y 000593, 000749, MIL 03346, 817, 5790. The phases are a rapidly cooled, metastable assemblage that has preserved Mg# Ca fractionation related distance from fluid source, for most nakhlites, though one, 5790, appears not experienced pathway. All nine samples also...
Without a protective atmosphere, space-exposed surfaces of airless Solar System bodies gradually experience an alteration in composition, structure and optical properties through collective process called space weathering. The return samples from near-Earth asteroid (162173) Ryugu by Hayabusa2 provides the first opportunity for laboratory study space-weathering signatures on most abundant type inner solar system body: C-type asteroid, composed materials largely unchanged since formation...
Direct links between carbonaceous chondrites and their parent bodies in the solar system are rare. The Winchcombe meteorite is most accurately recorded chondrite fall. Its pre-atmospheric orbit cosmic-ray exposure age confirm that it arrived on Earth shortly after ejection from a primitive asteroid. Recovered only hours falling, composition of largely unmodified by terrestrial environment. It contains abundant hydrated silicates formed during fluid-rock reactions, carbon- nitrogen-bearing...
Abstract Transmission electron microscopy analyses of Hayabusa2 samples show that Ryugu organic matter exhibits a range morphologies, elemental compositions, and carbon functional chemistries consistent with those carbonaceous chondrites have experienced low‐temperature aqueous alteration. Both nanoglobules diffuse are abundant. Non‐globular particles also present, including some contain nanodiamond clusters. Diffuse is finely distributed in around phyllosilicates, forms coatings on other...
Abstract Mars exploration motivates the search for extraterrestrial life, development of space technologies, and design human missions habitations. Here, we seek new insights pose unresolved questions relating to natural history Mars, habitability, robotic exploration, planetary protection, impacts on society. Key observations findings include: – high escape rates early Mars' atmosphere, including loss water, impact present-day habitability; putative fossils will likely be ambiguous...
Abstract The mineralogy of comet 81P/Wild 2 particles, collected in aerogel by the Stardust mission, has been determined using synchrotron Fe‐K X‐ray absorption spectroscopy with situ transmission XRD and fluorescence, plus complementary microRaman analyses. Our investigation focuses on terminal grains eight tracks: C2112,4,170,0,0; C2045,2,176,0,0; C2045,3,177,0,0; C2045,4,178,0,0; C2065,4,187,0,0; C2098,4,188,0,0; C2119,4,189,0,0; C2119,5,190,0,0. Three have identified as near pure...
Abstract The Winchcombe meteorite is a CM chondrite breccia composed of eight distinct lithological units plus cataclastic matrix. degree aqueous alteration varies between intensely altered CM2.0 and moderately CM2.6. Although no lithology dominates, three heavily rock types (CM2.1–2.3) represent >70 area%. Tochilinite–cronstedtite intergrowths (TCIs) are common in several lithologies. Their compositions can vary significantly, even within single lithology, which prevent clear assessment...
Abstract Large amounts of nitrogen compounds, such as ammonium salts, may be stored in icy bodies and comets, but the transport these nitrogen-bearing solids into near-Earth region is not well understood. Here, we report discovery iron nitride on magnetite grains from surface C-type carbonaceous asteroid Ryugu, suggesting inorganic fixation. Micrometeoroid impacts solar wind irradiation have caused selective loss volatile species major iron-bearing minerals to form metallic iron. Iron a...
Abstract Samples returned from the carbonaceous asteroid (162173) Ryugu by Hayabusa2 mission revealed that is composed of materials consistent with CI chondrites and some types space weathering. We report detailed mineralogy fine‐grained samples allocated to our “Sand” team additional weathering features found on grains. The dominant a mixture Mg‐rich saponite serpentine, magnetite, pyrrhotite, pentlandite, dolomite, Fe‐bearing magnesite. These grains have comparable chondrites, showing...
Abstract The Mighei‐like carbonaceous (CM) chondrites have been altered to various extents by water–rock reactions on their parent asteroid(s). This aqueous processing has destroyed much of the primary mineralogy these meteorites, and degree alteration is highly heterogeneous at both macroscale nanoscale. Many CM meteorites are also heavily brecciated juxtaposing clasts with different histories. Here we present results from fine‐grained team consortium study Winchcombe meteorite, a recent...
Four Itokawa particles collected from the first touchdown site were mineralogically investigated by optical microscopy, micro-Raman (μ-Raman) spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), microprobe analysis (EPMA), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), and transmission (TEM). Their mineralogy has an affinity to that of LL6 chondrites based on spectroscopy, EPMA, XAS analyses. However, space weathering rims them are less developed than those observed second site. Solar flare tracks rarely...
Martian meteorite Northwest Africa (NWA) 8114 – a paired stone to NWA 7034 provides an opportunity examine the thermal history of martian regolith and study near-surface processes ancient environmental conditions near impact crater on Mars. Our reports petrographic alteration textures focuses pyroxene iron oxide grains. Some clasts show exsolution lamellae, indicating high temperature magmatic origin slow cooling. However, transmission electron microscopy reveals that other predominantly are...
Abstract Data returned by NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover showed evidence for abundant secondary materials, including Fe‐oxides, phyllosilicates, and an amorphous component on below Vera Rubin ridge in the Murray formation. We used equilibrium thermochemical modeling to test hypothesis that altered sediments were deposited as detrital igneous grains subsequently underwent diagenesis. Chemical compositions of formations’ components calculated using data chemistry mineralogy...
Abstract Samples were recently collected from the carbonaceous asteroid (162173) Ryugu, by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Hayabusa2 mission. They resemble CI chondrites material, thus showing clear evidence of extensive aqueous alteration attested widespread presence a mixture serpentine and saponite. We present here scanning transmission electron microscopy study Ryugu dominant lithology phyllosilicate matrix at nanometer scale, which we compare with that Orgueil chondrite. In...
Abstract The Hayabusa2 mission from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) returned to Earth samples of carbonaceous asteroid (162173) Ryugu. This offers a unique opportunity investigate in laboratory C‐type asteroid, without physical or chemical alteration by terrestrial atmosphere. Here, we report on an investigation mineralogy and organo‐chemistry using combination micro‐ nano‐infrared spectroscopy. Particles investigated with conventional FTIR spectroscopy have spectra dominated...
Abstract Synchrotron Fe‐K X‐ray absorption spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy have been used to investigate the mineralogy Fe‐redox variations in space‐weathered (SW) rims of asteroidal samples. This study focuses on FIB lift‐out sections from five Itokawa grains, returned by Hayabusa spacecraft, including samples RB‐QD04‐0063, RB‐QD04‐0080, RB‐CV‐0011, RB‐CV‐0089, RB‐CV‐0148. Each featured partially amorphized SW rims, caused irradiation damage implanted low mass solar wind...