Fine-grained Rim Formation via Kinetic Dust Aggregation in Shock Waves Around Evaporating Icy Planetesimals

Abstract

Abstract Fine-grained rims (FGRs) are frequently found around chondrules in primitive chondrites. The remarkable feature of FGRs is their submicron-sized and nonporous nature. The typical thickness of FGRs around chondrules is 10–100 μm. Recently, a novel idea was proposed for the origin of FGRs: high-speed collisions between chondrules and fine dust grains called the kinetic dust aggregation process. Experimental studies revealed that (sub)micron-sized ceramic particles can stick to a ceramic substrate in a vacuum when the impact velocity is approximately in the range of 0.1–1 km s−1. In this study, we examine the possibility of FGR formation via kinetic dust aggregation in chondrule-forming shock waves. When shock waves are created by undifferentiated icy planetesimals, fine dust grains would be released from the planetary surface due to the evaporation of icy planetesimals. We consider the dynamics of chondrules behind the shock front and calculate the growth of FGRs via kinetic dust aggregation based on simple one-dimensional calculations. We found that nonporous FGRs with a thickness of 10–100 μm would be formed in shock waves around evaporating icy planetesimals.