Study of mineralogy on a planetary scale. Application of mineralogy to the knowledge of the genetic processes of asteroids and planets. Classification of extraterrestrial material. Impact processes. Phases of high and very high pressure. Reduced and ultra-reduced phases. Mineralogy and space missions.
Atlas of meteorites. Monica Grady, Giovanni Pratesi, and Vanni Moggi Cecchi. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2014, 384 p.
Chondrules. Edited by Sara S. Russell, Harold C. Connolly Jr., Alexander N. Krot. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge.
University Press, 2018.
Astromineralogy. Edited by Thomas Henning. Springer, 2010, 329 p.
Learning Objectives
The course aims to train a professional figure who is aware of the importance of mineralogy as a fundamental tool for the study of planetary bodies and for the understanding of the processes that have affected the Solar System since its early stages of evolution.
The knowledge acquired is important in order to provide a broader view of the geological processes that can actually be transferred on a planetary scale. An innovative cultural profile is then connected with the new horizons opened by the study of processes that take place on a planetary scale and have proved able to provide a clearer view of the Earth system, including those parts of the planet that are not accessible to direct exploration.
Prerequisites
The teaching of planetary mineralogy is part of an advanced stage of studies and therefore requires general and specialist knowledge of mineralogy and petrology.
Teaching Methods
The course consists of frontal lessons and exercises carried out using optical microscopy and specific instrumental methods. The material on which the exercises will be carried out will be of terrestrial and extraterrestrial nature.
Further information
During the course there will also be a visit to the Museum of Planetary Sciences in Prato and, possibly, to the research laboratories of the IAPS (Institute of Astrophysics and Space Planetology).
Type of Assessment
The learning test is carried out by means of a final oral test.
The following assessment parameters will be adopted: capacity for critical reasoning; capacity for dialogical exposure of acquired knowledge; clarity of explanation and competence in the use of specialist vocabulary.
Course program
Interstellar, circumstellar and interplanetary minerals (1 hour - G. Pratesi)
The protoplanetary disk, the CAI and the chondrules (2 hours - G. Pratesi)
The isotopes of oxygen and noble gases (2 hours - G. Pratesi)
Carbonaceous chondrites (2 hours - G. Pratesi)
Ordinary chondrites (2 hours - G. Pratesi)
Enstatite chondrites, rumurutiites and kakangari meteorites (2 hours - G. Pratesi)
Alteration and metamorphism processes: the petrologic type (2 hours - G. Pratesi)
Asteroidal bodies and processes of differentiation: the birth of achondrites (1 hour - G. Pratesi)
Classification of achondrites (2 hours - G. Pratesi)
Martian and lunar meteorites (2 hours - G. Pratesi)
Entry into the atmosphere and processes of terrestrial weathering (1 hour - G. Pratesi)
Earth impacts: craters, tektites and impactites (3 hours - G. Pratesi)
Impact between asteroids: the degree of shock in meteorites and examples (2 hours - L. Bindi)
Static and dynamic pressures: the genesis of new mineralogical phases (2 hours - L. Bindi)
Bridgmanite: a comparison between meteorites and deep mantle (2 hours - L. Bindi)
Akimotoite/hemleyite (2 hours - L. Bindi)
Ringwoodite/ahrensite (2 hours - L. Bindi)
Wadsleyite and other spinelloids (2 hours - L. Bindi)
Sulphides and alloys in meteorites (2 hours - L. Bindi)
Reduced phases: phosphides, carbides, nitrides (2 hours - L. Bindi)
Ultra-reduced phases: the example of the meteorite Khatyrka (2 hours - L. Bindi)
Redox reactions between reduced phases and silicates: how to characterize them? (2 hours - L. Bindi)
Planet Mars Mineralogy (2 Hours - L. Bindi)
The contribution of mineralogy to recent and future space missions (4 hours - G. Pratesi and L. Bindi)