LPL Spotlight Stories

A vast hotspot of intense volcanism underneath the dark, blotchy “face” of the moon known as Oceanis Procellarum (red area on right) resulted in less density there than in other parts of the moon. To restore balance, the moon’s axis shifted by six degrees. Traces of water ice deposits near the poles outline the movement from the location of the ancient (blue) to the present pole (teal). (Image by James Keane)

Tales of a Tilting Moon Hidden in Its Polar Ice

By Daniel Stolte, University Relations - Communications, March 22, 2016 A new study published Wednesday in Nature reports that the
Pluto's "heart" may not always have been in its current position, two UA planetary researchers suggest. (Image: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute)

Pluto Follows its Cold, Cold Heart

By Daniel Stolte, University Relations - Communications, March 28, 2016 Pluto is a weird environment, according to James Keane, a
Professor Renu Malhotra Named Regents' Professor

Malhotra Named Regents' Professor

April 12, 2016 LPL Professor Renu Malhotra is one of three University of Arizona faculty members named as Regents' Professors
Sevigny's book grew out of more than 60 interviews she conducted with faculty members, staff and students at the Lunar and Planetary Lab.

The Book on the Birthplace of Planetary Science

By Daniel Stolte, University Relations - Communications, May 18, 2016 With the countdown underway to September's launch of the OSIRIS-REx
Erich Karkoschka in the Space Imagery Center at the UA's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory. (Photo: Maria Schuchardt)

UA Planetary Science Gets Stamps of Approval

By Daniel Stolte, University Relations - Communications, May 25, 2016 When a University of Arizona planetary scientist persuaded NASA to
With its suite of science instruments, Juno will investigate the existence of a solid planetary core, map Jupiter's intense magnetic field, measure the amount of water and ammonia in the deep atmosphere, and observe the planet's auroras. Juno's principal goal is to understand the origin and evolution of Jupiter. (Artist's concept: NASA/JPL)

Skimming the Clouds of Jupiter

Daniel Stolte, University Relations - Communications, July 5, 2016 (An earlier version of this story was published on June 20
This image of the spacecraft was captured by StowCam when OSIRIS-REx was 3.9 million miles away from Earth. Featured prominently in the image is the Sample Return Capsule, which will provide the asteroid sample’s ride back to Earth in 2023. No stars are visible because of the bright illumination provided by the sun. (Image: NASA)

OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft Takes a Selfie in Space

Daniel Stolte - University Communications, Sept. 28, 2016 Two weeks after launch, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft found itself 3.9 million miles
The UA's Ed Beshore says the OSIRIS-REx mission "represents a turning of the corner for planetary exploration by the United States." (Photo: Bob Demers/UANews)

Ed Beshore's Rocket Ride Into the Sunset

By Doug Carroll, University Relations - Communications, September 12, 2016 Unlike the space mission to which he has given the
Systems engineer Bradley Williams with the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft in the Lockheed Martin cleanroom.

UA Engineering Students, Alumni Critical to OSIRIS-REx Mission

By Jill Goetz, UA College of Engineering, September 6, 2016 When NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft lifts off aboard an Atlas V
The Atlas V rocket carrying the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft was rolled out Wednesday morning from the Vertical Integration Facility (left) to Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral, Florida. (Photo: Bob Demers/UANews)

Michael Drake's Dream Takes Off

By Doug Carroll, University Relations - Communications, September 7, 2016 CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The embodiment of the late Michael