Much research in the field of astrobiology—the study of life in the universe—focuses on the habitability of extraterrestrial environments in our solar system and beyond. NASA’s Planetary Science and Technology from Analog Research (PSTAR) program sponsors research exploring the Earth’s extreme environments to develop a sound basis for conducting astrobiological research on other solar system bodies. By identifying, exploring and characterizing terrestrial… Read more
Christopher Edwards
NAU planetary scientist’s study suggests widespread presence of water on the Moon
NAU assistant professor of planetary science Christopher Edwards co-authored a paper recently published in Nature Geoscience that has generated interest among scientists in the field as well as in mainstream science news, such as Science Dailyand Outer Places.
The researchers analyzed remote-sensing data from two lunar missions and concluded that water appears to be evenly spread across the surface of the moon, not confined to a particular region or type of terrain as… Read more
New, high-tech lab enables NAU researchers, students to command Mars Curiosity Rover
There’s a buzz of extraterrestrial activity going on in Room 230 of the Physical Sciences Building at NAU. That’s where Christopher Edwards, assistant professor of physics and astronomy, just opened the new Mars Rover Operations and Analysis Laboratory, where faculty researchers and students will use sophisticated equipment to help command the day-to-day activities of NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover (MSL) operating on the surface… Read more
NAU scientist uses remote sensing technologies to detect groundwater in drought-stricken East Africa
A series of unprecedented droughts in the already impoverished areas of east Africa, chiefly northern Kenya and eastern Ethiopia, have affected millions of people in the region in the past several years, including many refugees from neighboring Somalia.
Although crop failures and resulting food shortages cause severe malnourishment in these populations, the lack of safe drinking water for both humans… Read more
NAU researcher sparks new debate with findings showing little, if any, present-day water on Mars
Is there liquid water on the surface of Mars? Scientists have been theorizing that for years, but findings published by a Northern Arizona University researcher in the journal Geophysical Research Letters are sparking new debate and attracting attention by national media outlets, including the Washington Post and National Geographic, and numerous science news websites such as Space.com. Edwards was also interviewed by several NPR… Read more