LPI Teams with SSERVI on Graduate Seminar Series

A Graduate Seminar on The Origin and Evolution of the Moon, sponsored by the NASA Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI), is being offered for the 2018 fall term (September–December). The goal of the course is to identify and investigate major outstanding questions and scientific and exploration goals for robotic and human exploration of the Earth’s Moon.

The seminar is jointly organized and led by SSERVI teams at Brown University (SEEED) and the Lunar and Planetary Institute’s Center for Lunar Science and Exploration (CLSE), including participation by many SSERVI-affiliated institutions. The 14 weekly sessions feature lectures given by leaders in the field. The format also provides an opportunity for questions and discussion.

Online lectures will be held on Wednesdays at 12 Noon PDT/PST [1 hr lecture + 30 min discussion]. Details including the reading list for each lecture are available here. The online lectures are accessible through Adobe Connect in real-time and will be recorded for reference Click on “Adobe Connect Login” to join an online session.

Using the online lectures as a cornerstone, individual universities may determine additional requirements for course credit. Typically, this involves additional directed discussion led by a local faculty member and reviews/presentation by students at their home institution.

LECTURE THEMES:

1. SEPTEMBER 5: Transformative Lunar Science: Jim Head (Brown), Robin Canup (SWRI), Carle Pieters (Brown), David Kring (LPI)
2. SEPTEMBER 12: The History of Lunar Exploration: Jim Head (Brown)
3. The Formation of the Moon: Current Scenarios:
4. The Structure of the Lunar Crust, Mantle and Core:
5. Formation of the Lunar Crust and the Aftermath: The Magma Ocean Hypothesis:
6. Lunar Impact Cratering: Formation of Impact Basins:
7. The Lunar Cratering Record and the Late Heavy Bombardment:
8. The Highlands Rock Suite: Clues to Early Lunar Evolution:
9. Lunar Mare Basalts: Clues to Mantle Homogeneity, Heterogeneity and Evolution:
10. The Lunar Exosphere, Surface Environment and Regolith Processes
11. Origin and Evolution of the Lunar Magnetic Field:
12. Lunar Geochronology: Major Events in the Early History of the Moon:
13. Models for the Thermal Evolution of the Moon:
14. Lunar Polar Deposits and Surface Water:
15. Future Exploration of the Moon: The Road Ahead

For more information, visit:
The Origin and Evolution of the Moon