Space and Planetary Science

The Space and Planetary Science Group investigates the formation, evolution, and dynamics of planetary systems, from their deep interiors and surfaces to their atmospheres and potential for hosting life.

Three people standing together gaze at a galaxy and stars in the night sky

The Space and Planetary Science Research Group focuses on advancing our understanding of planetary systems, their interiors, surfaces, cryospheres, and atmospheres. Our interdisciplinary research brings together expertise in astrobiology, atmospheres, cryospheres, geo- and paleo-magnetism, geodynamics and tectonics, impact and shock processes, meteoritics, mineral physics, remote sensing, and volcanology. 

We study a diverse array of planetary bodies, including Earth and the Moon, Mars, Venus, and exoplanets, to explore their formation, evolution, and current dynamics. Our work investigates fundamental questions about planetary surfaces, the behavior of materials under extreme conditions, the history and structure of magnetic fields, and the potential for life in extreme environments. We aim to uncover the processes that shape planetary systems and interactions with their surrounding environments using cutting-edge experiments, remote sensing, fieldwork, and computational modeling,.

Our research is thanks to the hard work of the people in this group. Click their names to find out more on their profile

(To be made into a staff feed like the other research groups)

Academic Staff:
Auriol Rae (Group Coordinator)
Geoff Bromiley
Andrew Curtis
Noel Gourmelen
Steven Hancock
Simon Harley
Alan Hastie
Lara Kalnins
Tetsuya Komabayashi
Sean McMahon
Qi Ou
Paul Palmer
Hugh Pumphrey
Kathy Whaler
Wyn Williams
Iain Woodhouse
 
Research Staff:
Jens Barosch
Ualisson Bellon
Emiko Komabayashi
Iris van Zelst
Matthew Varnam
 
Students:
Frederick Madsen
Siobhan Kingham
David Lewis
Mark Robertson
Zena Younes

Research case studies

(working title)

[ In future development of the site, there will be an opportunity for each research group to have a select number (no more than 3 ) of research case studies to showcase on their page. These will be links to research case studies that are/will be in the "Featured Research" section. 

This could be research that members of your group are most proud of, feel like it reflects best on the range of research undertaken, or would be most attractive to prospective research students. ]

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