Experimental Petrology of Lunar and Planetary Igneous Rocks

9417706 Walker The aim of this research project is to reach an understanding of planetary differentiation by igneous processes. Methods of study to be used include melting and/or dehydration experiments, petrographic and microprobe studies and theoretical and numerical modeling. Projects to be undertaken include: (a) exploration of liquid compositional dependence of the partitioning of siderophile elements between metal and silicate liquids - relative to planetary core formation's impact upon mantle siderophile element abundances, (b) development of a P-T-X saturation model for natural liquids in equilibrium with garnet-structured crystals, and (c) improvement of the doping properties, reliability, and availability of the LaCrO3 semiconductor heaters - relevant to the needs of this study and a wider community for methods of improved experimental heating with low thermal gradients.