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.
Explore Planetary and
Solar Systems Science at LPL
Welcome to the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory
Space Science, Research Reputation Shine in Best Global Ranking
The University of Arizona ranked No. 21 among U.S. public universities and No. 85 overall in the sixth annual "Best Global Universities" ranking, published by U.S. News & World Report.
First Results from Spacecraft Exploring Sun
The sun is revealing itself in dramatic detail and shedding light on how other stars may form and behave throughout the universe. University of Arizona researchers involved in the mission report exciting findings from the Parker Solar Probe's first close encounters with our very own star.
Close Encounter with the Sun
Two University of Arizona researchers involved in NASA's Parker Solar Probe mission are excited about the spacecraft's first close encounters with the sun.
Research Focus Areas
Pursuing interdisciplinary research spanning the breadth and depth of planetary science.
Planetary Astronomy
Planetary Astronomy
The planets of the solar system, along with their satellite systems, are our only accessible example of the end state...
Solar & Heliospheric
Solar & Heliospheric
LPL's Solar and Heliospheric Research Group studies the Sun’s atmosphere and magnetic field as it moves outward at supersonic speeds throughout the solar system until it encounters the local interstellar medium.
Astrobiology
Astrobiology
Astrobiology is a vibrant field that focuses on the study of the origins, distribution and evolution of life in the...
Planetary Atmospheres
Planetary Atmospheres
The Lunar and Planetary Laboratory has a strong background in the study of planetary and satellite atmospheres. Since the pioneering...
Spacecraft Missions and Instrumentation
Exploring the Universe as investigators on spacecraft mission and instrumentation teams.
OSIRIS-REx
OSIRIS-REx
LPL is home to the OSIRIS-REx mission. OSIRIS-Rex arrived at asteroid Bennu in 2018; it has begun to survey and map Bennu, navigating in close proximity to the asteroid, and will ultimately touch the surface for five seconds to gather a sample of the asteroid.
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.
Europa Clipper
Europa Clipper
Europa Clipper will perform repeated flybys of Jupiter’s moon and use a suite of instruments to investigate whether habitable environments could exist.
MSL
MSL
With its rover named Curiosity, Mars Science Laboratory mission is part of NASA's Mars Exploration Program , a long-term effort of robotic exploration of the red planet. Curiosity was designed to assess whether Mars ever had an environment able to support small life forms called microbes. In other words, its mission is to determine the planet's "habitability."
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.
Space Drafts
Space Drafts is Tucson’s flavor of Astronomy on Tap. Talks are held one Wednesday of every month at one of Tucson’s finest microbreweries, The Borderlands Brewing Company . Space Drafts is free and open to all ages (of humans and dogs alike).
LPL Summer Science Saturday
Summer Science Saturday is the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory’s (LPL) free , annual open house; activities take place in the Kuiper Space Sciences building at 1629 E. University Blvd.
OSIRIS-REx
The OSIRIS-REx mission is an Asteroid Sample Return Mission— Exploring our Past, Securing our Future through Pioneering Asteroid Science....