A New Mechanism for Chondrule Formation: Radiative Heating by Hot Planetesimals

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel mechanism for chondrule formation involving radiative heating from hot planetesimals, aligning with observed meteorite properties and explaining key thermal features.

Contribution

It presents a new model where radiative heating by incandescent planetesimals accounts for chondrule formation, addressing previous limitations.

Findings

Temperatures and cooling rates are achievable in this scenario.

The model explains complementarity and co-mingling of different chondrule types.

Consistent with bulk properties of chondritic meteorites.

Abstract

We propose that chondrules are formed by radiative heating of pre-existing dust clumps during close fly-bys of planetesimals with incandescent lava at their surfaces. We show that the required temperatures and cooling rates are easily achieved in this scenario and discuss how it is consistent with bulk aspects of chondritic meteorites, including complementarity and the co-mingling of FeO-poor and FeO-rich chondrules.