Planetary Systems
We use observations of populations of solar system objects and their orbits to study the formation and evolution of planetary and satellite systems to understand how our Solar System and others developed through time.
Planetary Surfaces
We study the mineralogic, climatic, and tectonic evolution of planetary surfaces to understand how these environments have developed over time, and the potential for past and future habitability on and beneath planetary surfaces.
Asteroid Impacts
We study the complete evolution of impact craters, from excavation to transient crater collapse, through cooling and viscoelastic relaxation. We also study the hazards produced by impacts and how we might prevent them.
Spacecraft Missions
Our group has been and continues to be involved with a number of spacecraft missions, including GRAIL, MESSENGER, Deep Impact, NExT, EPOCH, EPOXI, Mars Odyssey, Mars Science Laboratory, and the Mars2020 rover.
Planetary Science News
Multiple EAPS Graduate Students Receive IN Space Grant Consortium Fellowship
07-20-2017
Three EAPS graduate students have been selected for a NASA-affiliated graduate fellowship.
EAPS Graduate Student Awarded Multiple Fellowships
06-13-2017
Marie McBride, an EAPS PhD student studying planetary science, has received the National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship and the Amelia Earhart Fellowship.
Dr. Horgan to spotlight Purdue role in Mars 2020 rover mission at Science on Tap
04-19-2017
Dr. Briony Horgan of EAPS will highlight efforts by Purdue and NASA in the search for signs of microbial life on Mars at next week's Science on Tap.
Dr. Minton leading team to design spacecraft to study Mars moons
03-28-2017
A Purdue team, led by Dr. Minton, will design a spacecraft for NASA to investigate the moons of Mars.
Mars could have rings in the future, says Dr. Minton
03-20-2017
As children, we learned about our solar system’s planets by certain characteristics — Jupiter is the largest, Saturn has rings, Mercury is closest to the sun. Mars is red, but it’s possible that one of our closest neighbors also had rings at one point and may have them again someday.
