Facilities
Planetary Science students and faculty use Van Vleck Observatory and specialized laboratories across Wesleyan’s science facilities. These spaces support telescope observations, planetary mapping and remote sensing, geochemistry, sample analysis, computational modeling, and three-dimensional visualization.
Explore Planetary Science Facilities
From studying planetary materials in the laboratory to mapping the surfaces of other worlds, Wesleyan’s facilities give students opportunities to use scientific tools and techniques in coursework and research.
Laboratories and Research Spaces
Explore the spaces and tools that support planetary science research at Wesleyan.
Study of lunar, martian, and asteroidal materials. Students and researchers can work with meteoritic and returned samples for planetary missions under controlled environments.
Study and map planetary surfaces using remote-sensing data, reflectance spectroscopy, and specialized mapping and visualization software. Students and researchers can work with data from planetary missions and compare observations of other worlds with satellite and aerial data from Earth.
Investigate the chemistry of planetary environments through experimental geochemistry and geomicrobiology. Research explores questions including the history of water on planetary bodies, the chemistry of Martian soils and fluids, and the environmental conditions that may support microbial life.
Study planetary and geological materials through experiments that recreate high-temperature conditions and prepare samples for microscopic analysis. The lab supports research into the composition, formation, and evolution of materials found on Earth and other planetary bodies.
Map, visualize, and interpret planetary and Earth-based data using geographic information systems, remote-sensing software, and three-dimensional visualization tools. Students can analyze spatial data and explore planetary surfaces in 3D.
Combine field observations with digital mapping, three-dimensional visualization, and computational modeling to study geological structures and processes. The lab supports both field-based data collection and detailed analysis of Earth and planetary environments.
Van Vleck Observatory
Planetary Science students have access to Van Vleck Observatory, where professional-quality telescopes support coursework and research. Students can investigate stars, exoplanets, and planetary systems while gaining hands-on experience with astronomical observation and working with faculty on research.
