Science at LPI
The science at the Lunar and Planetary Institute is focused on the formation, evolution, and current state of our solar system through analysis of data and samples obtained through NASA’s long history of missions and exploration. Our current major research topics include the origin and evolution of the early solar system; petrology and geochemistry of planetary materials and volatiles; planetary interiors, volcanism, and tectonism; and impact cratering.
Research Foci
Lunar Science and Exploration
Resources to support the scientific research and exploration strategy of the Moon
Center for Lunar Science and Exploration
The Center for Lunar Science and Exploration is part of the NASA Lunar Science Institute and is designed to investigate lunar science issues, develop strategies for future lunar exploration, and train a new community of talent that will be needed to assure the success of the Constellation Program.
Staff Highlights 
44th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC 2013)
Was held on March 18 –22, 2013, the 44th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, at the Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center in The Woodlands, Texas.
D. Bogard presented a poster titled “Analysis of thermal conditions required to reset Ar-Ar ages”
G. Kramer presented a poster titled "The Basalts of Mare Frigoris"
P. Schenk J. B. Vincent, S. Marchi, D. P. O'Brien, D. P., R. Gaskell presented a poster titled "Impact Crater Morphologies on Vesta in Solar System Context
O. White, P. Schenk presented a poster titled "A New Global Topographic Map of Io Using Galileo Stereo and Limb
Data"
W. S. Kiefer, P. J. McGovern, J. C. Andrews-Hanna, J. W. Head, J. G. Williams, and M. T. Zuber, "GRAIL Gravity Observations of Lunar Volcanic Complexes (abstract 2030).
W. S. Kiefer, "Making Ishtar Terra, Venus: Mobile Lid Tectonics, Continental Crust, and Implications for Liquid Water and Planetary Evolution" (abstract 2541).
Submitted Proposal
G. Kramer submitted LASER proposal as PI.
Published
Potter, R. W. K. and Collins, G. S. (2013) "Numerical modeling of asteroid survivability and possible scenarios for the Morokweng crater-forming impact", Meteoritics and Planetary Science, doi:10.1111/maps.12098.
G. Kramer, D. Kring, Nahm, and Pieters, "Spectral and photogeologic mapping of Schrödinger Basin and implications for post-South Pole-Aitken impact deep subsurface stratigraphy", Icarus.
Workshop
G. Kramer Lunar Volatiles Virtual Workshop co-chair (with Dana Hurley). This is sponsored by the NASA Lunar Science Institutes. The workshop will take place May 23-25.
Featured Science
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Structure and Evolution of Planetary Volcanos
Dr. Patrick McGovern researches the structure and evolution of large volcanic edifices and provinces on the terrestrial planets. -
Discovery: Icy Satellites
The Voyager, Galileo, and ongoing Cassini missions have been dedicated to mapping these bodies, revealing an amazing diversity of features and important discoveries, including tidal heating, recently formed tectonic fractures, and ongoing ice-rich volcanism. The extensive cratering record can also be used to estimate the ages of these geologic events. -
Center for Lunar Science and Exploration
The Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) and the Johnson Space Center (JSC) have a long and successful history of collaborative research and exploration activities that began with the Apollo program. The LPI and JSC have harnessed that heritage to build the Center for Lunar Science and Exploration (CLSE) to better support our nation's lunar science and exploration activities. -
The Poles of the Moon
Water is present at the poles of the Moon in several different forms. The Moon Mineralogy Mapper experiment on the Indian Chandrayan-1 spacecraft mapped the 2800-mm spectral channel, a band where a significant water absorption feature is expected
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Opportunities
LPI Summer Intern Program
Experience cutting-edge research with LPI or JSC scientist mentors
Lunar Exploration Summer Intern Program
Work with a scientist mentor to integrate science priorities with NASA's lunar exploration initiatives
Positions Available
Scientist positions available at the Lunar and Planetary Institute
Student Research Grants
Annual awards for research funding in the planetary sciences
