Welcome to LPL’s Planetary Seismometer Lab

For about a decade we’ve been developing seismometers to explore the solar system. We have been partnered with Silicon Audio, Inc. based in Austin, TX since 2016 to develop robust, low mass, low power, and highly sensitive instruments to explore icy ocean worlds, the Moon, asteroids, and more. 

Motivation

Seismology allows us to peer beneath the surface and study a planetary body from the surface to the core. Seismic events reveal where and why a body is geological active. The waveforms from the seismic events are used to investigate the internal structure of the planetary body such as crustal thickness, mantle stratification, and the size and state of the core. Understanding geologic activity, dynamics, and internal layering are top science goals prioritized by decadal surveys, Moon to Mars objectives, Artemis science goals, and exploration roadmaps. 

The Short Period (SP) Sensor

Our SP sensor is designed to be most sensitive to frequencies above 1 Hz (self-noise floor of 2.0×10^-9m/s²/Hz at 10 Hz). A triaxial (3 component) is about 1 kg and requires only 250 mW to operate. The small size and sensitivity are ideal for planetary exploration. Our sensor has been developed to TRL 8 for the lunar south pole environment and is included as payload for the Lunar Environment Monitoring Station (LEMS). 

The Broadband (BB) Sensor

Our BB sensor is designed to be most sensitive to frequencies below 1 Hz (self noise floor of 1.9 ×10^-9 m/s²/√Hz at 0.01 Hz).  While more massive than the SP, it is still relatively low mass at 2.6 kg. Like the SP it only requires 250 mW. The BB long period sensitivity is ideal for detecting low amplitude events like deep moonquakes on the Moon, or tidal events on binary asteroids. Although designed for long periods, it is still sensitive at high frequencies, even outperforming the Apollo SP instruments. 

Interested in our instrument?

For inquiries into our seismometers please contact D. DellaGiustina (PG4gdWVycz0iem52eWdiOnFyeXludHZoQG5ldm1iYW4ucnFoIj5xcnl5bnR2aEBuZXZtYmFuLnJxaDwvbj4=).