The interiors of planetary bodies (asteroids, moons, and planets) were heated and began to melt shortly after their formation, 4.5 billion years ago. Known as differentiation, this resulted in the formation of a core, mantle, and crust structure. Planetary bodies of the outer solar system have a unique chemistry and differentiation in these bodies is poorly understood. Working at the Space Science and Technology Centre at Curtin University, Daniel investigates how this fundamental planetary process occurred in the outer solar system.

Daniel combines melting experiments that simulate core formation with geochemical analysis of 4.5 billion year old meteorites that record the formation of planetary bodies. This work builds on research he completed as an Intern and later as a Visiting Researcher at the Lunar and Planetary Institute and NASA Johnson Space Centre, Texas, USA.

His planetary science experience has included analysis of Martian meteorites to examine the chemistry of Mars’ interior as part of his BSc (Hons) at the University of Otago, Aotearoa. Daniel is also a member of Fireballs Aotearoa, New Zealand’s meteor camera network, which tracks and recovers freshly fallen meteorites.