The planet Mars has no global magnetic field, although scientists believe it did have one at some point in the past. Previous studies suggest that when Mars’ global… Read more
NAU planetary science intern leads study of Martian crust
Mars
Emirates Mars Mission to reach red planet on Feb. 9 with instrument co-designed by NAU planetary scientist
The Emirates Mars Mission, the first interplanetary exploration undertaken by an Arab nation, is scheduled to reach Mars’ orbit on February 9, 2021 at 8:41 a.m. MST (10:41 a.m. EST). The spacecraft will… Read more
NAU planetary astronomer receives NASA grants for two new studies of Main Asteroid Belt
The majority of asteroids in our solar system are found in the Main Asteroid Belt, which is located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Although millions of objects populate the belt, most are relatively small, and astronomers have not actually studied many of them in detail.
NAU assistant professor Cristina Thomas, whose research focuses on asteroids, recently received two grants from NASA to study two different… Read more
Three NAU graduate students awarded NASA’s prestigious FINESST grants
Three Ph.D. students in Northern Arizona University’s Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science have been awarded grants through the Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology (FINESST) program. The funding—up to $135,000 total per student for up to three years—supports graduate student-designed research projects that help further NASA’s Science Mission Directorate interests in Earth sciences, heliophysics, planetary science and astrophysics.
Anthony Maue,… Read more
NAU planetary scientist collaborates on first-ever Mars mission launched by Arab world
A veteran of multiple NASA missions to Mars, Northern Arizona University planetary scientist Christopher Edwards will closely watch the launch of a… Read more
NAU planetary scientist captures new images of Martian moon Phobos to help determine its origins
Christopher Edwards, assistant professor in NAU’s Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science, just processed new images of the Martian moon Phobos that give scientists insight into the physical properties of the moon… Read more