Space Unites the World
Some thoughts on the theme of World Space Week. I love this graphic by Photon Illustration. https://americangeophysicalunion.tumblr.com/post/178727321633/photo-courtesy-of-sarah-t-stewart-uc-davis-space
Congratulations, Dr. Lock!
Dr. Simon Lock has completed his dissertation on "The formation, structure and evolution of terrestrial planets." He is now a postdoctoral researcher at Caltech.
The CLEVER Planets Team
We are pleased to announce the launch of CLEVER Planets (the Cycling of Life-Essential Volatile Elements on Rocky Planets), a NASA NExSS team investigating the necessary chemistry for a rocky planet to host life. UC Davis announcement: How Do you Make an Earth-Like Planet?
New Model for Lunar Origin
We present a new model for lunar accretion with a terrestrial synestia. The Moon is depleted in volatile elements compared to Earth. Our model explains the pattern and magnitude of depletion of these elements. The key is understanding the pressures and temperatures of the rock vapor environment around the growing Moon. More information about our [...]
New postdocs!
Welcome to Bethany Chidester and Megan Duncan!
Planet Cakes!
The Origins Group finds many reasons to throw a party. The latest reason was making planet cakes! We made Jupiter and Earth with Pangea. (Image gallery -- click on the cakes)
Synestia, a New Type of Planetary Object
Graduate student Simon Lock and Sarah Stewart define and explain a new type of planetary object. A synestia is formed by a giant impact. Synestias are an important stage of terrestrial planet formation, leading to mixing within the structure and the formation of moons. Our work is published today in the Journal of Geophysical Research Planets. [...]
New Center for Frontiers in High Energy Density Science
U. California has funded a new center in high energy density science. This center is a collaboration between 5 UC campuses, LLNL and LANL. One of the themes of our center is material properties under extreme conditions and applications to planetary science.
Graduate program application deadline is December 15
Please contact Sarah if you are interested in our graduate program in planetary sciences. Our application deadline have moved to December 15.
Tidal Evolution of the Moon: Earth started tilted over
Our new model for the tidal evolution of the moon was published online today in Nature: Tidal Evolution of the Moon from a high-obliquity, high-angular-momentum Earth. The tidal evolution is a big piece of the puzzle of lunar origin. Read more about our work on making the Earth and Moon.