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
51 Pegasi b Fellowship at University of Arizona
The 51 Pegasi b Fellowship from the Heising-Simons Foundation is now open for applications. The fellowship supports research in planetary...
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.
Research Focus Areas
Pursuing interdisciplinary research spanning the breadth and depth of planetary science.
Lunar Studies
Lunar Studies
Lunar research was one of the hallmarks of the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory in its first decade (the 1960s) as...
Planetary Astronomy
Planetary Astronomy
The planets of the solar system, along with their satellite systems, are our only accessible example of the end state...
Planetary Surfaces
Planetary Surfaces
Planetary surfaces are influenced by their interior processes (e.g. volcanoes), exterior effects (e.g. impact cratering) and their atmospheres (e.g. wind...
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.
MMX
MMX
The Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission is in development by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. MMX will visit the two Martian moons, Phobos and Deimos, land on the surface of Phobos, and collect a surface sample.
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 Imagery Center
The Space Imagery Center at the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory is a research collection of NASA planetary photography, cartographic...
UA SEDS
LPL hosts the University of Arizona Chapter of Students for the Exploration and Development of Space .
LPL Evening Lecture Series
Each fall semester, the LPL Evening Lecture Series presents LPL scientists discussing their latest scientific research and space mission...