One of the first images taken by the infrared spectrometer(EMIRS) on the Hope orbiter, co-designed by NAU scientist Christopher Edwards, the first global snapshot of the Mars atmosphere produced since the 1970s Viking mission.
Astronomy and Planetary Science
NAU planetary science intern leads study of Martian crust
Ahmed AlHantoobi, an intern working with NAU planetary scientists, assistant professor Christopher Edwards and postdoctoral scholar Jennifer Buz in NAU’s Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science, led a study looking for answers to explain these magnetic anomalies. The team explored the relationships between the strength of the magnetic field on the surface and the composition of the crust in the Terra Sirenum-Terra Cimmeria region of Mars.
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NAU astronomer receives prestigious 2021 Cottrell Scholar Award
The Research Corporation for Science Advancement (RCSA) recently named Tyler Robinson, assistant professor in NAU’s Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science, a 2021 Cottrell Scholar. This award includes a three-year, $100,000 grant to advance his teaching and research.
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NAU astronomer on team confirming orbit of most distant object ever observed in our solar system
A team of astronomers, including associate professor Chad Trujillo of Northern Arizona University’s Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science, have confirmed a planetoid that is almost four times farther from the Sun than Pluto, making it the most distant object observed in our solar system. The planetoid, which has been nicknamed “Farfarout,” was first detected in 2018, and the team has now collected enough observations to pin down its orbit. The Minor Planet Center has now given… Read more
UAE Mars Mission Reaches Mars With ASU/NAU Instrument Aboard
The United Arab Emirates today became the fifth space agency ever to place a spacecraft in orbit around Mars.
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ASU’s Philip Christensen developed the Emirates Mars Infrared Spectrometer (EMIRS) with former student Christopher Edwards, who is now an assistant professor at NAU.
Emirates Mars Mission to reach red planet on Feb. 9 with instrument co-designed by NAU planetary scientist
The orbiter, named Hope (Al Amal in Arabic), carries three science instruments including the Emirates Mars Infrared Spectrometer (EMIRS), an interferometric thermal infrared spectrometer developed by Philip Christensen of ASU’s School of Earth and Space Exploration with Christopher Edwards of NAU’s Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science, in a partnership with the MBRSC.
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