Planetary Sciences
@ The University of Colorado

Planetary Science Research

Graduate Students, Lindsey Link and Nicole Cates studying the latest images from the surface of Mars.

Faculty and affiliated research scientists advise students in a broad range of solar system topics, ranging from interiors to surfaces to atmospheres to magnetospheres to formation of planets. The Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) develops instrumentation for planetary missions. LASP researchers have built and operated instruments for spacecraft such as Voyager, Galileo, and Cassini. Faculty are involved in observations using the Hubble Space Telescope, the Mars Odyssey, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Mercury's MESSENGER mission, Pluto's and the New Horizons mission.

In addition to spacecraft missions, data analysis, and instrumentation, graduate students are involved in experimental space science, ground-based observations, and theoretical research. Through the CU Center for Astrobiology, planetary students and faculty are able to look at some of the broader implications of their research for understanding the potential for life elsewhere. CU planetary students also have an excellent track record for securing their own research funding from external sources, such as the NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship Program, enabling them to pursue research projects of their own design with a sponsoring faculty member.