Oxygen isotope anomalies of the Sun and the original environment of the Solar system

TL;DR

This study models oxygen isotope anomalies in the early Solar system, suggesting the Sun formed in a high-radiation stellar cluster, consistent with supernova contributions to meteorite composition.

Contribution

It introduces a model linking oxygen isotope anomalies to UV photodissociation in the proto-Solar cloud, providing insights into the Sun's birth environment.

Findings

Model reproduces wide range of Delta_17O values

Supports Sun's formation in a high-radiation stellar cluster

Aligns with supernova origin of 60Fe in meteorites

Abstract

We present results from a model of oxygen isotopic anomaly production through selective photodissociation of CO within the collapsing proto-Solar cloud. Our model produces a proto-Sun with a wide range of Delta_17O values depending on the intensity of the ultraviolet radiation field. Dramatically different results from two recent Solar wind oxygen isotope measurements indicate that a variety of compositions remain possible for the solar oxygen isotope composition. However, constrained by other measurements from comets and meteorites, our models imply the birth of the Sun in a stellar cluster with an enhanced radiation field and are therefore consistent with a supernova source for 60Fe in meteorites.