In EAPS, we seek to understand the Earth within the context of our solar system—and the universe beyond—by exploring planetary accretion, magnetic fields, formation of climates and atmospheres, and the potential for life on planets circling distant stars.

EAPS Scope is out!
The Outer Limits: Nothing sparks the imagination quitelike a star-studded view of the sky above. From distant stars and exoplanets to the asteroids and planetary bodies of our solar system, EAPS planetary scientists stand at the forefront of their field, driving innovations in techniques and technology to discover the origins of the universe. |
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IN THIS ISSUE |
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Letter from the Department Head Letter from the Head of Department, Rob van der Hilst. |
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Launching in 2018, a new high-earth orbit telescope will keep Sara Seager and her team busy as it scans 200,000 of the nearest, brightest stars for temperate, rocky exoplanets. |
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Last year Julien de Wit and colleagues discovered a system of seven new exoplanets using a prototype—and now they’re scaling-up the project, building new SPECULOOS telescopes to expand the search for habitable worlds. |
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With a long and accomplished career as prelude, Richard Binzel is just getting started—with an impressive four new NASA missions set to explore our asteroid neighbors. |
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In the Weiss paleomagnetism lab, meteorites reveal clues about how—and when—the early solar system formed from a turbulent cloud of dust and gas. |
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The Search for Life Closer to Home A joint team from EAPS and Massachusetts General Hospital is designing ways to detect and sequence DNA on the neighboring worlds of our own solar system. |
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We take a look back at Wallace Observatory’s near half-century of teaching and research, and look forward to the view from a new telescope upgrade. |
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MIT Wallace Astrophysical Observatory UROP MIT’s Wallace Astrophysical Observatory UROP Student Spotlight. |
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During his tenure at NASA, Professor Emeritus Gene Simmons’ contributions to the final three Apollo flights went beyond designing experiments to educating the public about the scientific mission, taking us all along for the ride. |
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Seminal work by EAPS faculty members recognized by the American Geophysical Union, National Academy of Engineering, National Academy of Sciences, and NASA. |
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EAPS is delighted to introduce three new members of faculty. |
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Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences faculty continue to earn numerous awards and honors, in recognition of their leadership in their respective fields. |
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New Planetary Fellowship Awarded EAPS postdoc Jason Dittmann of the Seager Group is recognized with the generous support of the Heising-Simons Foundation. |
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A newly-announced capital initiative promises major renovations and new lab space for EAPS and our home in the iconic Green Building. |
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A forward-thinking gift for forward-thinking research. |
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Graduate Student Research Profiles Meet graduate students geophysicist Ekaterina Bolotskaya, planetary scientist Zhuchang Zhan, geobiologist Jeemin Rhim, and climate modeler Tristan Abbot. |
EDITORIAL TEAM Angela Ellis Jennifer Fentress Helen Hill |
LEAD WRITER Helen Hill |
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jennifer Chu Angela Ellis Jennifer Fentress Allison MacLachlan Raleigh McElvery |
COPY EDITORS Roberta Allard Allison Provaire Brandon Milardo |
DESIGN & LAYOUT Jennifer Fentress |
PHOTOGRAPHY Helen Hill - except as noted - |
EAPS Scope is published annually by the MIT Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences. We welcome your news and comments. Please send correspondence to: eapsnewsletter@mit.edu |
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For further information on giving opportunities or creating a named fund to benefit the Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, please contact: |
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Angela Ellis |
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Keep up to date with all things EAPS: subscribe to our newsletter - eapsnewsletter@mit.edu |
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EAPS SCOPE ARCHIVES |