Researchers find evidence of speedy core formation in solar system planetesimals
Friday, June 6, 2014 - 09:02
in Astronomy & Space
(Phys.org) —A combined team of researchers from Germany, Switzerland and the U.S. has found evidence of faster than thought core formation of planetesimals in our solar system. In their paper published in the journal Science, the team describes how they came up with a new approach to using tungsten isotope dating in a way that overcame the problem of cosmic rays affecting accuracy. Tim Elliot offers a Perspective piece in the same issue delving further into the work by the team and explains how the new findings are likely to lead to better dating for planetary development in general.