Dr Frank Mills
Atomic & Molecular Physics Laboratories

From Mars to Earth by way of Venus

If we want to determine whether and where liquid water might be on Mars, we need to know what the surface and near-surface geology is like. What can we determine about the surface of Mars from remote sensing data?

Complex interactions between dynamics and chemistry occur in the upper atmosphere of Venus, producing fascinating phenomena like airglow. Airglow is produced when atoms and molecules emit photons to decay from higher to lower excited states. What can we determine from airglow observations?

Climate change has been in the political news almost as much as in the scientific news. What effects do particles in the atmosphere (aerosols) have on Australian sunlight? How well do climate models simulate historical Australian rainfall?

These questions are among the diverse topics addressed by planetary science, a discipline that brings together and applies concepts and techniques from physics, chemistry, geology, and astronomy. This seminar will present a selection of recent and
ongoing work carried out by the speaker and students at all levels, from undergraduate to PhD, in the Research School of Physics and Engineering and the Fenner School of Environment and Society. Come along to find out what some of your colleagues have been doing.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: After undergraduate studies at Princeton and a period working in the US and Japan, Frank undertook his PhD at the California Institute of Technology, graduating in 1998. Since then he has worked at UCLA, JPL and the ANU. He is currently a Fellow in RSPE/AMPL and the Fenner School of Environment and Society.

All RSPE staff and students are invited