LPL Will Lead Mission to Discover Potentially Dangerous Asteroids
NASA has tasked LPL Professor Amy Mainzer, an expert in infrared astronomy, with delivering NEO Surveyor, a mission to find, track and characterize yet unseen asteroids and comets that may pose a threat to Earth.
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Coronavirus Information
Until further notice, the University of Arizona, in accordance with the guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages all employees to work remotely. Our offices in the Kuiper, Sonett, and Drake Buildings are closed to the public, but you can reach the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, Monday–Friday 8am-5pm, at 520-621-6963.
Jupiter's Moons Could be Warming Each Other
The gravitational push and pull by Jupiter's moons could account for more warming than the gas giant Jupiter alone.
Plumes on Icy Worlds Hold Clues About What Lies Beneath
A new model shows how brine on Jupiter’s moon Europa can migrate within the icy shell to form pockets of salty water that erupt to the surface when freezing. The findings are important for the upcoming Europa Clipper mission and may explain cryovolcanic eruptions across icy bodies in the solar system.
New Images: OSIRIS-REx Leaves its Mark on Bennu
New images of Bennu's surface captured during the final flyover reveal dramatic changes to the sample site.
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Statement on Diversity
Science can succeed only if there is diversity—diversity of ideas, of perspectives, and of individuals. We at the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory (LPL) value diversity in all of its forms. LPL strives to address inherent problems that exist within planetary science, and academia in general. LPL is at the forefront of planetary and space sciences, and as such must stand as an ally to and in solidarity with its community members regardless of race, national origin, immigration status, ethnicity, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, intellectual and physical ability, income, faith and non-faith perspectives, socio-economic class, political ideology, education, primary language, family status, military experience, cognitive style, and communication style, and with all people who intersect these groups. We strongly believe that the science and knowledge we pursue every day is a human pursuit strengthened through the participation of these historically minoritized groups.
For more information on the DLC and its members, visit the Department Life Committee page.
Research Focus Areas
Pursuing interdisciplinary research spanning the breadth and depth of planetary science.
Cosmochemistry
Cosmochemistry
Planetary Materials are those pieces of condensed matter that were leftover from the time that our solar system formed over...
Planetary Analogs
Planetary Analogs
LPL scientists investigate surface processes to understand the history of terrestrial bodies in the Solar System.
Titan & Outer Solar System
Titan & Outer Solar System
LPL scientists are exploring Titan and the outer solar system.
Space Situational Awareness
Space Situational Awareness
Orbital space around our Earth is congested, contested and competitive. Our research group is actively working to ensure sustainable management of this valuable resource for future generations.
Spacecraft Missions and Instrumentation
Exploring the Universe as investigators on spacecraft mission and instrumentation teams.
HiRISE (MRO)
HiRISE (MRO)
HiRISE, the high resolution imaging science experiment onboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, is the most powerful camera ever sent to another planet.
OSIRIS-REx
OSIRIS-REx
LPL is home to the OSIRIS-REx mission, which made history for NASA when it tagged the surface of asteroid Bennu for 4.7 seconds, triggering a flush of nitrogen gas and collecting the largest sample of extraterrestrial material since the Apollo moon landings.
SPARCS
SPARCS
The Star-Planet Activity Research CubeSat (SPARCS) is a small space telescope about the size and shape of a family-size Cheerios box.
Mars 2020
Mars 2020
The Mars 2020 mission addresses high-priority science goals for Mars exploration, including key questions about the potential for life on Mars.
Discover Planetary Sciences
Earn a Ph.D. with a major in Planetary Sciences.
Graduate Program
The Department of Planetary Sciences offers multidisciplinary programs leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree with a major in planetary sciences.
Undergraduate Program
The Department of Planetary Sciences offers an undergraduate minor in Planetary Sciences.
Astrobiology Minor
Astrobiology is an interdisciplinary field that combines astronomy, geology, biology and chemistry.
Public Education and Outreach
Faculty, staff, and students engage with diverse communities.
HiRISE
We have a simple philosophy: HiRISE is “the people’s camera” because we believe that knowledge about Mars belongs to everyone.
Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter
Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter is an exceptional science learning facility located at Steward Observatory's "sky island" observing site. The SkyCenter builds upon the uniqueness of the 9,157 foot summit of Mt. Lemmon and the extensive knowledge base at the University of Arizona to deliver educational programs.
Arizona/NASA Space Grant
The Arizona/NASA Space Grant Consortium , headquartered at LPL, contributes to the nation's science enterprise by implementing research, education and...