Analytical Planetary Chemistry

We are exploring the pathway of material evolution over 13.8 billion years from the birth of the universe to the present through comprehensive materials science with analytical chemistry. Through the analysis of meteorites and extraterrestrial materials by sample returns, in addition to terrestrial volcanic and metamorphic rocks, we are exploring to understand the origin, evolution, and dynamics of materials in space and time, in an attempt to understand the roots of humankind. The exploration of the origin of life using methods that integrate inorganic and organic chemistry will continue to grow in the future.

• Pheasant Memorial Laboratory

	Prof. MAKISHIMA Akio E-mail：max [at] misasa.okayama-u.ac.jp silicate planets, origin of elements origin of life and life-forming materials, energy storage   Directory of Researchers

The origin of the silicate planets and planetesimals, the origin of elements, the origin of the life-forming materials and life, the new energy storage

	Prof. KOBAYASHI Katsura E-mail：katsura [at] pheasant.misasa.okayama-u.ac.jp geochemistry/petrology/materials science   Directory of Researchers

We conduct research on the co-evolution of inorganic and organic materials using integrated analytical chemistry methods. We are actively promoting interdisciplinary efforts from the viewpoint of Earth and planetary material science, especially in interdisciplinary research with different research fields.

	Prof. TANAKA Ryoji E-mail：ryoji [at] misasa.okayama-u.ac.jp Geochemistry/Cosmochemistry/Isotope geochemistry/Petrology/Astrobiology   Directory of Researchers 　Homepage

Geochemical and cosmochemical research on the formation of the early solar system, evolution of terrestrial planets, and evolution of prebiotic materials related to the origin of life.

• What happened before, during and after solar system formation? A recent study of the Asteroid Ryugu holds the answers!

	Assoc. Prof. KUNIHIRO Tak E-mail：tkk [at] misasa.okayama-u.ac.jp asteroid / the solar nebula   Directory of Researchers

Evolution of asteroidal material on the early solar system

	Assoc. Prof. Ruj Trishit E-mail：trishitruj [at] okayama-u.ac.jp     Directory of Researchers

Field-trip in Mongolia to investigate the periglacial landforms. This study is important to locate the sub-surface ice deposits on Mars

I am a Planetary Geologist. My research group tries to understand the surface geological evolution of rocky planetary bodies from Mars, Moon and even on Ryugu. Currently, we are focussing on the future exploration missions and the landing site selection. For this, we are now conducting investigations from the Earth analog terrains in US and in Monglia. In future, we plan to recreate planetary surface environmental conditions in a chambers (which will be equipped with Hyperspectral Cameras) to better understnd the Martian surface geological processes.

	Asst. Prof. POTISZIL CHRISTIAN E-mail：cpotiszil [at] okayama-u.ac.jp  Prebiotic Chemistry, Origin of Life, Organic Matter, Asteroids, Meteorites   Directory of Researchers

An ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography Orbitrap mass spectrometer, which I use to detect and quantify the building blocks of life in extraterrestrial materials.

My research area focuses on prebiotic organic chemistry. This field aims to understand how the essential molecules for the origin of life formed and were distributed throughout our Solar System and Universe. As part of my research, I investigated the amino acids present in the Hayabusa2 return samples from the asteroid Ryugu. I found that there were many amino acids essential to life on Earth and that extraterrestrial material like Ryugu could be their source at the origin of life on Earth.

	Asst. Prof. KITAGAWA Hiroshi E-mail：kitaga-h [at] cc.okayama-u.ac.jp petrology/geochemistry/geochronology/analytical chemistry   Directory of Researchers

Volcanic and tectonic evolutions in Western Pacific margins (Chugoku district in SW Japan, East China, and Vietnam) have been investigated based on geochronology and element/isotope geochemistry.