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
In April-May 2022, Jennifer and Anna will travel 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 will present his space grant project titled, "The Portable Goniometer for Measuring BRDF" in late April 2022
Anna presented on the 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 and Shae presented virtually at DPS 2021
Anna was awarded a position in the Dragonfly Student & Early Career Investigator Program
Gerrick presented during Flagstaff's 2021 Festival of Science on molecular dynamics simulations relating to Titan and Pluto
Anna presented on the hydrocarbons in the lakes of Titan to the Phoenix Astronomical Society in September 2021
Kendall Koga joined the Astro Mat Lab as an undergraduate space grant student for the 2021-2022 academic year
Cecilia (Cece) Thieberger started PhD program fall 2021
Paper published 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 space grant project titled, "Software Development for Investigation of Eutectic Phase Behavior on Pluto and Beyond" in April 2021
Paper published 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 virtually at LPSC 2021
Jennifer and Anna presented work virtually at DPS 2020
Jennifer (PI), Gerrick (Co-I), Will (Co-I), and Steve (Co-I) were awarded the 2020 NASA Solar System Workings (SSW) grant! They will work on "Investing the Stability of Trace Species in Titan's Lakes and Seas"
Jason Libby joined the Astro Mat Lab as an undergraduate space grant student for the 2020-2021 academic year
Shaelyn (Shae) Raposa started PhD program fall 2020
Anna (FI), Steve (PI), and Jennifer (Co-I) were awarded the 2020 NASA Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology (FINESST) fellowship! They will work on "Experimental Studies to Determine the Impact of Propane, Acetylene, and Ethylene In and Around Titan's Lakes"
Paper accepted in The Planetary Science Journal titled "Stratification Dynamics of Titan's Lakes via Methane Evaporation" [DOI]
Jennifer presented at Titan After Cassini on "Understanding the Hydrocarbon Lakes and Seas on Titan"
Updated: 15 Apr 2022