Project Description: This project is to better understand the origin and applications of crustal magnetic fields on the Moon and Mars. These crustal magnetic fields are caused by magnetized rocks in the crust and are mapped using available orbital spacecraft data. On the Moon, an area of special interest is the south polar region, where robotic and human landings are planned during the coming years. For Mars, an understanding of the timing of the end of the global Mars magnetic field is of special interest. The disappearance of the global field may have led to a lack of protection of the atmosphere from stripping away by the solar wind, thereby being a factor in the change from a wetter, warmer climate to the present-day cold and dry climate.
NASA Relevance: This work contributes to a better understanding of the Moon and Mars in support of ongoing and future NASA missions to these bodies.
Work Description: The student will assist in mapping the crustal magnetic fields using spacecraft measurements and in carrying out correlative, statistical, and modeling studies.
Open or Reserved Project: Open, 1 position