Non-chondritic oxygen isotopic component of metals in a noble-gas-rich chondrite—vestige of stellar wind from the protosun?

Abstract

Oxygen isotopic compositions of metal grains in a noble-gas-rich chondrite, NWA 801 CR2, have been determined by secondary ion mass spectrometry. The results show bimodal distribution on Δ¹⁷O histogram with peaks of Δ¹⁷O = 2.3 and -35.0‰. The ¹⁶O-rich peak seems to be due to stellar wind from the protosun. The ¹⁶O enrichment is comparable with the most ¹⁶O-rich value from chondrite constituents. Difference of oxygen isotopic composition of stellar wind between protosun and the present sun implies how self-pollution by planetary embryos during the planet formation epoch have occurred and whether the present solar photosphere preserves the representative composition of the solar system.