Search

Michael J. Drake Head and Director, Regents’ Professor, Cosmochemistry, geochemistry Ph.D., 1972, Oregon Lunar and Planetary Lab University of Arizona Tucson AZ 85721 Kuiper Space Sciences 323 520.621.6962 E-mail Drake Dr. Drake’s research program is centered on understanding the accretion of planetary bodies, and the formation and evolution of the terrestrial planets, satellites, and asteroids. The techniques of geochemistry are applied to unravel the formation of planetary cores, the evolution of primordial magma oceans, and the outgassing of planetary atmospheres. Laboratory experiments simulate the physical and chemical conditions deep inside rocky bodies. Chemical and isotopic analyses of lunar samples, meteorites, and terrestrial rocks are used to infer the states of planetary bodies 4.5 Ga ago. Chemical thermodynamic and numerical calculations apply the results of laboratory simulations to the interpretation of these ancient geochemical ``fingerprints’’ in terms of the accretion and primordial differentiation of planetary bodies. More about Dr. Drake

Directory |  LARS |  LPL Library |  LPL WebMail |  Webmaster

Lunar and Planetary Laboratory 1629 East University Boulevard Tucson AZ 85721-0092 Phone: 520.621.6963 | Fax: 520.621.4933 Copyright © 2008 Arizona Board of Regents