Analysis of Micrometeroids from HMS Challenger

Between 1873 and 1876, the Challenger expedition conducted the first systematic survey of the deep ocean. Amongst the samples recovered from the seafloor were thousands of small spheres (“spherules”). The expedition’s scientists correctly identified these as extraterrestrial in origin – i.e., they are micrometeroids.

The Challenger samples have become of renewed interest recently following claims (disputed) that spherules recovered from the bottom of the Pacific Ocean in 2022 are interstellar and artificial in origin, originating from a meteoroid/alleged alien spacecraft that entered the atmosphere in 2014. This project aims to explore whether or not micrometeroids of similar morphology and composition to the purported 2014 ‘interstellar meteor’ can be found in the HMS Challenger samples.

This project will involve manually preparing, isolating, and examining material from the Challenger seafloor samples. Potential micrometeroids will be identified through their morphology (using optical light microscopes) and advanced analytical techniques including a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The student should be comfortable with the manual aspects of this work, and the attention to detail and patience required for sample work. Students from a variety of degree backgrounds are welcome, including but not limited to geology, geophysics, mathematics, physics, chemistry, or computer science. Experience with or enthusiasm for microscopy, meteoritics, or planetary science would be an advantage. The student will produce a written report on completion of the project.

This project will last eight weeks during the summer of 2025. Exact dates are negotiable. This position will be in-person only, based at Natural History Museum sites in London (South Kensington and Wandsworth) as well as Imperial College. Dates and hours per week will be flexible to work around the schedule of the student. A £200 per week bursary is being provided by the Paneth Trust.

Completed applications (a CV + 1 page statement describing your background/interests/relevant skills) should be sent to Dr Benjamin Fernando (bfernan9@jh.edu). The deadline is Wednesday 11 June at 17:00 BST.