What the study found
Chondrite precursors may have formed through kinetic non-equilibrium condensation rather than only equilibrium processes. The model results suggest that different cooling rates and pressures can produce three mineralogical types, with more departure from equilibrium leading to more oxidized and hydrous mineralogies.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors say this matters because equilibrium condensation models do not explain the emergence of the three main chondrite classes: enstatite, ordinary, and carbonaceous. The study suggests that mineralogical diversity in chondrites may reflect local condensation kinetics, offering an alternative to large-scale variations in oxidation conditions.
What the researchers tested
The researchers used a new time-dependent condensation model to test the hypothesis that chondrite precursors formed by kinetic non-equilibrium condensation. They examined how varying cooling rate and pressure affected the mineralogies produced by the model.
What worked and what didn't
The model produced only three types of mineralogies across the conditions tested. When the results were projected into a Urey-Craig diagram, the predicted mineralogical types fell close to the redox states of enstatite, ordinary, and carbonaceous chondrites.
What to keep in mind
The abstract notes that the conditions under which chondrite precursors condensed remain unclear because later reprocessing occurred in the protoplanetary disk or asteroidal parent bodies. It does not provide additional limitations beyond this scope.
Key points
- A time-dependent condensation model was used to test non-equilibrium formation of chondrite precursors.
- Varying cooling rate and pressure produced only three mineralogical types in the model.
- Greater departure from equilibrium led to more oxidized and hydrous mineralogies.
- The predicted types were close to the redox states of enstatite, ordinary, and carbonaceous chondrites.
- The authors suggest local condensation kinetics may help explain chondrite diversity.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Non-equilibrium condensation matches chondrite mineral classes
- Authors:
- Sébastien Charnoz, Jérôme Aléon, Marc Chaussidon, Paolo A. Sossi, Yves Marrocchi, Patrick Franco
- Institutions:
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut de physique du globe de Paris, Université Paris Cité, Sorbonne Université, Laboratoire de Minéralogie & Cosmochimie du Muséum, Institut de minéralogie, de physique des matériaux et de cosmochimie, ETH Zurich, Université de Lorraine
- Publication date:
- 2026-04-22
- OpenAlex record:
- View
- Image credit:
- Photo by Jose Manuel Gonzalez Lupiañez Photography on Pexels · Pexels License
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