Implications of a phase-transition thermostat for chondrule melting

It is widely accepted that chondrules were formed in brief, localized nebular heating episodes. Given the apparent (at least local) high efficiency of chondrule formation, these thermal events seem to have occurred at a large number of different times and/or azimuthal locations in the solar nebula. It is reasonable to expect that the chondrule-forming events, whatever their underlying cause, were not all identical, but instead occurred with some spread of heating intensities. If this was so, it is puzzling that compositional and textural evidence points to peak temperatures certainly within 1400 - 1750 C, and in most cases within 1500 - 1550 C. This problem is addressed in this article and a possible explanation for this restricted range of peak temperatures is discussed.