Astrophysical Materials Laboratory

The Astrophysical Materials Laboratory is a collaborative effort between Northern Arizona University and Lowell Observatory to understand properties of extraterrestrial materials, especially those that occur on the surfaces of outer solar system bodies. We take a broad approach, using laboratory-based spectroscopy, astronomical observations, and theory to explore the properties of cryogenic systems.

Recent News from the Lab

Are you a PhD student in the NAU Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science? Are you looking for your research rotation topic?
We have opportunities available!

Shae successfully defended her PhD thesis titled, "Laboratory Studies of Pluto's Volatiles" in March 2025!

Jennifer gave a talk at the 56th LPSC in March 2025

Shae et al. published a paper in The Planetary Science Journal titled, "Deriving the N2–CO Binary Phase Diagram Using Experimental Techniques and Thermodynamics" [link]

Ana advanced to candidacy!

Shae was interviewed by The NAU Review about the recently published paper concerning freezing-induced outbursts [link to article]

Jennifer, Cece, Jordan, and Wilnelia gave talks at the 56th DPS Meeting in October 2024

Anna et al. published a paper in The Planetary Science Journal titled, "Ice Formation, Exsolution, and Multiphase Equilibria in the Methane–Ethane–Nitrogen System at Titan Surface Conditions" [link]

Shae & Anna et al. published a paper in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets titled, "Outbursts Upon Cooling of Low-Temperature Binary Mixtures: Experiments and Their Planetary Implications" [link]

Anna successfully defended her PhD thesis titled, "Experimental Studies Involving Mixtures of Methane, Ethane, Propane, and Nitrogen with Implications for Titan" in September 2024!

Kendall started as an MSc student in the Dept. of Earth & Space Science at York University in fall 2024!

Aidan started as a PhD student in the Dept. of Astronomy and Planetary Science at NAU in fall 2024!

Wilnelia Barea-Carrión was part of the 2024 summer NSF REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) program and worked with Jennifer and Cece to investigate multiphase equilibria in mixtures of methane-propane-nitrogen

Jennifer attended an International Space Science Institute (ISSI) workshop in Bern, Switzerland [link]

Jennifer and Kendall flew on microgravity flights to test new instrumentation

Jennifer and Cece gave talks at the Extreme Solar Systems V workshop in April 2024

Will and Ana gave talks at the 55th LPSC in March 2024

Shae presented a poster at the Laboratory Astrophysics Workshop in February 2024

Cece presented, "Lightning Across the Solar System" at the Lowell Observatory Astronomy on Tap in January 2024

BP et al. published a paper in Planetary & Space Science titled, "The Equilibrium Vapor Pressures of Ammonia and Oxygen Ices at Outer Solar System Temperatures" [link]

Shae and BP gave talks at the 55th DPS Meeting in October 2023

Steve et al. published a paper in The Planetary Science Journal titled, "Optical Constants of Ices Important to Planetary Science from Laboratory Reflectance Spectroscopy" [link]

Will et al. published a paper in Icarus titled, "Laboratory measurement of volatile ice vapor pressures with quartz crystal microbalance" [link]

Cece advanced to candidacy!

BP Blakley was part of the 2023 summer NSF REU program and worked with Will and Steve to determine vapor pressures of select volatiles 

Flagstaff's KNAU radio station aired an interview of Jennifer and Cece, where they described work being conducted in the lab [recording]. The story was also picked up by Arizona Family News!

Will and Jordan presented posters at the 14th ACM Conference (in Flagstaff!) in June 2023

Jennifer, Anna, and Cece gave talks at the Titan Through Time VI Workshop in June 2023

Ana Morgan joined the lab! Ana will complete her PhD second rotation project with us. The project is part of the requirements in the Astronomy & Planetary Science PhD program

Anna presented, "Titan Underground: Karst Systems" at the Lowell Observatory Astronomy on Tap in May 2023

Anna gave a talk as part of the LPI Virtual Seminar Series in May 2023

Will, Jennifer, and Anna presented at the 54th LPSC in March 2023

Shae advanced to candidacy!

Will, Jennifer, Anna, Shae, and Jordan presented at the 1st Workshop on Ices in the Solar System in January 2023

Updated: April 2025