LPL Newsletter: October 2019

LPL Newsletter: October 2019

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

At LPL, we not only conduct cutting-edge research, we also train the next generation of great planetary scientists. In support of that mission, the LPL External Advisory Board has established a fund to support travel and career development grants for LPL students and staff. The first set of grants, seven awards for conference travel and extended research stays at external facilities, were allocated this summer. Take a moment to view the travel reports (posted as received), including one from grant recipient Cassandra Lejoly, who received financial support to present her work at a symposium on cometary science that honored the late Mike A’Hearn. Although it is the External Advisory Board that founded this project, other donors are welcome to join the effort with a suggested donation of $500 to $1000 (completely tax deductible). Donate online from our Invest page or contact us at PG4gdWVycz0iem52eWdiOlZhaXJmZ1ZhWUNZQHljeS5uZXZtYmFuLnJxaCI+VmFpcmZnVmFZQ1lAeWN5Lm5ldm1iYW4ucnFoPC9uPg== to contribute or request information about other giving opportunities. 

I hope you enjoy catching up on recent LPL research. Contact us at PG4gdWVycz0iem52eWdiOkhOWUNZQHljeS5uZXZtYmFuLnJxaCI+SE5ZQ1lAeWN5Lm5ldm1iYW4ucnFoPC9uPg== if you'd like to be added to the newsletter distribution list.

Director and Department Head
An artist’s rendering of the asteroid Psyche. (Image: ASU/Peter Rubin/CC-BY-SA-4.0)

Iron Magma Could Explain Psyche's Density Puzzle

Volcanism has always intrigued humanity. Less than 50 years ago, scientists discovered cryovolcanism – ice volcanoes on other worlds. Now, researchers may have identified volcanoes of molten metal.

Avalanche on Mars (NASA/JPL/University of Arizona)

Avalanche Season

Every spring the sun shines on the side of the stack of layers at the North Pole of Mars known as the north polar layered deposits. The warmth destabilizes the ice and blocks break loose.