Planet Formation Lab @ WWU
The Planet Formation Lab at Western Washington University, is dedicated to the study of the formation and evolution of terrestrial planets.
We are interested in planet formation and the chemistry of raw materials from which planets form. Our driving questions are: How did we get here? How did Earth and other terrestrial planets of our Solar System form? How different are planets of our Solar System and exoplanets? Is Earth unique? Is our Solar System unique?
To address these questions, we use various techniques, including laboratory experiments, numerical modeling and data science. By performing experiments at high pressure and temperature and numerical modeling, we replicate the differentiation of planets into core, mantle and crust. We also use machine learning algorithms to evaluate the classification of meteorites and their components, and to improve models of planetary differentiation .
Tribal lands statement
We acknowledge that we live and work on the ancestral homelands of the Coast Salish Peoples, who have lived in the Salish Sea basin, all throughout the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades watershed from time immemorial. We express our deepest respect and gratitude to our Indigenous neighbors, for their enduring care and protection of our shared lands and waterways.
Image credits: NASA, Planet Formation Lab.
Contact
Email: boujiba@wwu.edu
Mailing address:
MS 9080
Physics & Astronomy Department
516 High St,
Bellingham, WA 98225
