Sarah Stewart’s research group investigates the formation and evolution of planetary bodies. Our primary techniques are shock wave experiments to measure material properties and numerical simulations of planetary processes. We tackle a broad range of problems in planetary science by focusing on understanding the feedbacks between physical processes and changes in material properties.
Where did the Moon come from? A new theory.
2022 Winston Ko Public Lecture at UC Davis: A New Creation Story for the Earth and Moon
2020 NSF Physics Frontiers Center:
Center for Matter at Atomic Pressures (CMAP)
August, 2020
CMAP focuses on understanding the physics and astrophysical implications of matter under pressures so high that the structure of individual atoms is disrupted.
Center for Matter at Atomic Pressures
A collaboration between U. Rochester, UC Davis, UC Berkeley, Princeton, MIT, U. Buffalo, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
CLEVER Planets NASA NExSS Team
September 2018: 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?
Simons Collaboration on the Origin of Life
Image credit: NASA / Jenny Mottar
Sarah Stewart is a new Investigator in the Simons Collaboration on the Origins of Life. Her work will examine the effects of impact cratering on the environment of the early Earth.
DOE Center for Matter at Extreme Conditions
Image credit: National Ignition Facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Sarah Stewart is a Co-PI on the new DOE-NNSA Center for Matter at Extreme Conditions. She will use shock physics experiments to study the physical properties and equations of state of planetary minerals and gases at extreme pressures and temperatures. These data will be used to understand the interior structures of planets and the outcomes of planetary collisions. The Center is led by Professor Farhat Beg at U. California San Diego.
Stewart Group Videos
Check out the Stewart Group YouTube Video Stream
Stewart Group News
A New NSF Physics Frontiers Center!
August, 2020 New 2020 NSF Physics Frontiers Center: Center for Matter at Atomic Pressures (CMAP) CMAP focuses on understanding the physics and astrophysical implications of matter under pressures so high that the structure of individual [...]
My Coronavirus Mask Design
How to make a coronavirus mask that doesn't touch your mouth or slip off your nose.
Phil Carter’s work on the cover of JGR-Planets
Our paper on the energy budget of giant impacts is on the cover and all over the word cloud for the issue: Read more: The energy budgets of giant impacts Carter, P. J., S. J. [...]
Come join the parade…..
Sarah will be the Grand Marshal for the 105th Picnic Day at UC Davis. Adventure Awaits!
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