Lunar and Planetary Institute
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The Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) is a NASA-funded research institute, dedicated to studies of the solar system, its evolution and formation. The Institute is part of the Universities Space Research Association, located in Houston, Texas. It maintains an extensive collections of lunar and planetary data, and carries out education and public outreach programs.
This institute currently maintains a staff of scientists, as well as visiting scientists, postdoctoral fellow and graduate fellows.
The Lunar and Planetary Institute is a focus for academic participation in studies of the current state, evolution, and formation of the solar system. The Institute is housed in the USRA Center for Advanced Space Studies (CASS), located at 3600 Bay Area Boulevard, Houston, Texas, 77058, and includes a computing center, extensive collections of lunar and planetary data, an image-processing facility, an extensive library, education and public outreach programs, resources, and products. The LPI also offers publishing services and facilities for workshops and conferences.
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[edit] Science
Scientific Staff - The LPI maintains a resident scientific staff whose main tasks are to provide the planetary expertise necessary for the Institute to achieve its goals, and to maintain their scientific proficiency through peer-reviewed research activities.
Scientific Areas of Research - LPI 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 interests range from Venus to Pluto and the icy moons of Neptune.
[edit] Research Foci
Resources and meeting information for development of the new exploration strategy for the Moon in response to the President's new vision for NASA
Initiative aimed at better understanding how oxygen isotopic and chemical variations were established in the solar system
Resources and information about the impact cratering process
[edit] Research Management
Chartered by the Discipline Scientist for NASA's Cosmochemistry Program to advise on matters concerning the Apollo lunar samples, sample return missions, and solid materials of the solar system
- Venus Exploration Analysis Group (VEXAG)
NASA's community-based forum designed to provide scientific input and technology development plans for planning and prioritizing the exploration of Venus over the next several decades, including a Venus surface sample return
NASA's community-based forum designed to provide science input for planning and prioritizing outer planet exploration activities for the next several decades
Chartered by NASA Headquarters to assist in planning the scientific exploration of the Moon
[edit] Summer Intern Program
The Lunar and Planetary Institute invites undergraduates to experience cutting-edge research in the planetary sciences through our Summer Intern Program. As a Summer Intern, you would work one-on-one with a scientist at the LPI or at the NASA Johnson Space Center to complete a research project of current interest in planetary science. The Summer Intern program allows participants to experience a real research environment, to learn from top-notch planetary scientists, and to preview careers in research.
[edit] Library
The Center for Information and Research Services (CIRS) contains more than 50,000 cataloged monographs, slides, maps, and documents, and more than 170 current journals and newsletters. The subject emphasis of the collection is primarily astronomy and geology, with limited collection development extending into the secondary support fields of computer science remote sensing.
The library maintains two weblogs Recent additions to the collection and New and Noteworthy as well as a weekly podcast.
[edit] External links
- Home Page. Lunar and Planetary Institute. Retrieved on November 11, 2005.
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