The Planetary Geosciences Program consists of interdisciplinary research and education devoted to studying the origin and evolution of the planets and solar system. Spectroscopic and microwave measurements are made at astronomical observatories on Mauna Kea, Hawaii, and in Puerto Rico, California, and New England. UH scientists develop new instrumentation and experiments for use at these facilities and in spacecraft. They also analyze planetary materials in the laboratory to determine their petrologic, chemical, and spectral properties. Laboratory experiments are also conducted to understand spectral characteristics of mixtures of materials and to determine the behavior and phase relations of meteoritic materials when melted.

• Lunar Science: Composition of the crust, nature of the earliest differentiation, basalt generation and eruption mechanisms, formation of impact basins, and planning future lunar missions.
• Meteorites and Asteroids: Astronomical data on asteroids and petrologic and geochemical data on meteorites are obtained to better understand the present asteroid belt, its geological evolution by impact, magmatic, and metamorphic processes, and the origin of the solar system.
• Comets: Theoretical calculations of the evolution of cometary surfaces.
• Terrestrial Planets and Outer Planet Satellites: Telescopic, radar, and spacecraft observations of Mars, Mercury, Venus, and the satellites of the outer planets; study of SNC meteorites, which might come from Mars.
• Planetary Atmospheres: Understanding the behavior of H2O and CO2 in the dynamic atmosphere-regolith-cap system on Mars and outgassing of small bodies such as Phobos.
• Terrestrial Studies: UH scientists also study the Earth as a planet, using sonar imaging and sampling of the ocean floor, field analyses of active volcanoes, and long-term study of terrestrial volcanoes from spacecraft such as the Earth Observing System and ERS-1.
• Theoretical Research: Theoretical studies investigate how magmatic processes operate throughout the solar system, how planetary cores form, Martian atmospheric dynamics, and loss of volatiles from comets.

Hawaii Center for Volcanology

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last page update on: 7 May 1999