LPL Spotlight Stories

Students use the transmission electron microscope

Solar System 'Detectives' Search for Clues in 'Crumbs' Left Over from Early Solar System

NASA awarded nearly $3 million to the University of Arizona Kuiper Materials Imaging and Characterization Facility to support OSIRIS-REx sample science and much more.

Construction Begins on NASA’s Next-Generation Asteroid Hunter

NEO Surveyor is the first purpose-built space telescope that will advance NASA’s planetary defense efforts by finding and tracking hazardous near-Earth objects.
Old Main at Univesity of Arizona

NSF: UArizona Again Ranks Among Top 20 Public Research Universities, No. 1 in Astronomy and Astrophysics

UArizona saw an increase of more than $9 million over its fiscal year 2020 total and retained its No. 1 ranking in astronomy and astrophysics expenditures.
A view of the Cerberus Fossae system on Mars, showing fractures cutting through hills and craters.

Giant Mantle Plume Reveals Mars is More Active than Previously Thought

Orbital observations unveil the presence of an enormous mantle plume pushing the surface of Mars upward and driving intense volcanic and seismic activity.
Hot, puffy gas giant: This illustration shows what exoplanet WASP-39 b could look like, based on current understanding of the planet

UArizona Scientists Thrilled by Unprecedented 'Portrait' of an Alien World

Thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists have identified a "mystery molecule" that previously stumped astronomers. They've also gained insights needed to interpret potential signs of habitability on other exoplanets.
Time-lapse photograph by Robert Weryk his home in London, Ontario, Canada of fireball streaking directly overhead and continued east until it broke up.

NASA Program Predicted Impact of Small Asteroid Over Ontario, Canada

NASA Communications - November 22, 2022 In the early hours of Saturday, Nov. 19, the skies over southern Ontario, Canada,...
Lead author and graduate student Tyler Meng standing with radar equipment on the Sourdough rock glacier in Alaska in August 2021.

Mapping Rock Glaciers to Understand Their Future on Earth and Mars

University of Arizona researchers developed a new method for analyzing rock glaciers, which could help scientists better understand these "hidden giants" on Earth and Mars.
Image - Dani DellaGiustina at South by Southwest festival.

Planetary Scientist Dani DellaGiustina Makes Popular Science Brilliant 10

University of Arizona planetary scientist Dani DellaGiustina was chosen because of her work to understand the past and future of the solar system by studying asteroids. Her work also includes exploring the mysterious interiors of other worlds.
Image of Daniella DellaGiustina named on of the "Brilliant 10" by Popular Science magazine.

Daniella DellaGiustina Named One of the "Brilliant 10" by Popular Science

Assistant Professor Daniella DellaGiustina is named one of the "Brilliant 10 2022" by Popular Science Magazine.
Image of a meteor as it fell to Earth over Chelyabinsk, Russia.

Scientists Identify Potential Source of 'Shock-darkened' Meteorites, with Implications for Hazardous Asteroid Deflection

University of Arizona planetary scientists identified a potential source of a special kind of meteorite. Its characteristics could explain certain discrepancies in how near-Earth asteroids are classified.