Robert Hutchison (meteoriticist)

Robert Hutchison (born 1938) is a British meteoriticist known for his significant contributions to the study of meteorites and cosmochemistry. He spent a substantial portion of his career at the Natural History Museum in London, where he served as a Principal Scientific Officer and Head of the Meteorites and Cosmic Mineralogy Research Group.

Hutchison's research encompassed a broad range of topics within meteoritics, including the petrology, mineralogy, and geochemistry of various meteorite types. He made notable contributions to understanding the formation and evolution of chondrules, calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs), and other components of chondritic meteorites. His work also extended to the study of iron meteorites, stony-iron meteorites, and achondrites, providing valuable insights into the processes that occurred within asteroids and other parent bodies in the early solar system.

Throughout his career, Hutchison authored and co-authored numerous scientific publications, including research papers, book chapters, and articles aimed at disseminating knowledge about meteorites to a wider audience. He is also the author of the book "Meteorites: A Petrologic-Chemical Synthesis," a comprehensive text that remains a valuable resource for researchers and students in the field.

Hutchison's contributions have significantly advanced our understanding of the origin and evolution of meteorites and the early solar system. He is a respected figure within the international meteoritics community and has played an important role in training and mentoring the next generation of scientists in this field.