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
Anna presented, "Titan Underground: Karst Systems" at the Lowell Observatory Astronomy on Tap in May 2023
Anna presented, "Phase Behaviors of the Methane–Ethane–Nitrogen System at Titan-like Conditions," during a session of the LPI Virtual Seminar Series in May 2023
Will, Jennifer, and Anna attended LPSC 2023, with Will and Jennifer presenting ongoing results from the lab and Anna showing work conducted on the DraGNS (Dragonfly Gamma-ray and Neutron Spectrometer) instrument
Shae advanced to candidacy in January 2023
Will, Jennifer, Anna, Shae, and Jordan presented at the 2023 1st Workshop on Ices in the Solar System
Kendall graduated in fall 2022 with a BS in Physics and Astrophysics. He is now part of the lab as a research assistant
Jennifer, Anna, Cece, and Jordan attended DPS 2022 in person and Will and Shae attended virtually
Aidan Madden-Watson and Moises Gomez were part of the lab as undergraduate NASA Space Grant students for the 2022-2023 academic year. Aidan is now part of the NAU Astronomy and Planetary Science PhD program and is working with Dr. Cristina Thomas
Alex Jasko was part of the 2022 summer REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) program and aided in rebuilding the thin film side of the lab
Shae et al. published a paper in the Journal of Chemical Physics titled, "Non-Isoplethic Measurement on the Solid-Liquid-Vapor Equilibrium of Binary Mixtures at Cryogenic Temperatures" [DOI]
Jennifer travelled to Bern, Switzerland for an International Space Science Institute (ISSI) (https://teams.issibern.ch/planetaryices/) team meeting entitled "Ice Beyond Earth: Laboratory Investigations of Planetary Ices." The goal of this meeting was to identify current laboratory capabilities for planetary ices and prioritize future measurements and developments
In spring 2022, Jennifer and Anna traveled to the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Orangisation (ANSTO) facility in Sydney, Australia to conduct neutron diffraction experiments on the methane-ethane system with Dr. Helen Maynard-Casely
Kendall presented his space grant project titled, "The Portable Goniometer for Measuring BRDF" in April 2022
The lab has moved! While it is sad to say goodbye to the old room, we look forward to the many opportunities the new space has to provide
Anna presented, "Hydrocarbons in the lakes of Titan" at New Mexico State University in March 2022
Anna participated in the March 2022 Caltech Space Challenge and was part of the winning team
Anna advanced to candidacy in December 2021
Anna and Shae virtually presented work at DPS 2021
Anna was awarded a position in the Dragonfly Student & Early Career Investigator Program in 2021
Gerrick presented on "Searching for Life in the Rivers and Lakes of the Outer Solar System" during Flagstaff's 2021 Festival of Science
Anna presented on the "Hydrocarbons in the Lakes of Titan" to the Phoenix Astronomical Society in September 2021
Kendall Koga joined the lab as an undergraduate NASA Space Grant student for the 2021-2022 academic year
Cecilia (Cece) Thieberger started the PhD program in the Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science in fall 2021
Alex Rosenthal was part of the 2021 summer REU program working on molecular dynamics simulations with Gerrick
Henry Dawson was part of the 2021 summer REU program working on optical constants in thin film ices with Steve and Will
Gerrick et al. published a paper in Liquids titled, "Density, Enthalpy of Vaporization and Local Structure of Neat n-Alkane Liquids." [DOI]
Jennifer and Anna presented at the Titan Through Time V workshop and Shae co-authored a poster
Shae presented at a New Horizons workshop, Will was also in attendance
Jason Libby received the Hooper Undergraduate Research Award (HURA) and will continue his work on software development on eutectic phase behavior in the 2021-2022 academic year
Jason Libby presented his NASA Space Grant project titled, "Software Development for Investigation of Eutectic Phase Behavior on Pluto and Beyond" in April 2021
Anna et al. published a paper in The Planetary Science Journal titled, "Phase Diagram for the Methane–Ethane System and Its Implications for Titan's Lakes." [DOI]
Jennifer and Anna presented work at LPSC 2021
Updated: March 2023