Western Space planetary geologists have discovered glacier-like features below the Martian surface in a relatively flat area – perfect for future Mars landings.
Earth Sciences
Atkinson honoured as top seismologist
Perhaps it is too easy to say that Gail Atkinson was shaken by the news – but the lifetime honour she received was as unexpected as it was deserved.
Expanding young minds at heart of supported projects
Two Western Space initiatives designed to encourage young minds to cast their eyes to the stars will expand thanks to backing from PromoScience grants.
Discovery Grants back 75 research projects
Seventy-five university research projects across seven faculties received more than $13.8 million in Discovery Grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
Researchers offer glimpse into dinosaur ecosystems
By casting an eye into the daily lives of dinosaurs millions of years in the past, Western researchers may be helping humanity get a glimpse of its future.
Network unites students in disaster resiliency efforts
Western students and their Cuban peers will be at the forefront of understanding how communities can better withstand the worst Mother Nature has to offer thanks to a new scholars network designed to offer on-the-ground opportunities for young researchers.
Read. Watch. Listen. with Cindy Mora Stock
The waiting – on that book, that movie, that album to come out – is the hardest part as Earth Sciences postdoctoral scholar Cindy Mora Stock takes a turn on Read. Watch. Listen.
Student trio lauded by Lunar and Planetary Institute
A trio of Western students were among only 20 worldwide to receive the Career Development Award from the Lunar and Planetary Institute. The award is given to graduate students who have submitted a first-author abstract for presentation at the 51st Lunar and Planetary Science Conference.
Takes of long ago, far away
Although World Space Week has come and gone, we’re still celebrating by seeking out picks from our brightest minds with feet firmly planted on Earth but eyes boldly cast towards the stars. Today, Earth Sciences PhD candidate Gavin Tolometti, a member of the Institute for Earth and Space Exploration, takes a turn on Read. Watch. Listen.
Fulbright scholar to link synchrotron tech, mining
Mining has advanced light years beyond the pickaxe and shovel. Just how much farther it can develop is a question Earth Sciences professor Neil Banerjee is looking to illuminate.
Model shakes up earthquakes forecasting
Findings by a Western-led international research team may mitigate hazard, damage, even loss of life by helping forecast the largest possible earthquake within a series of quakes, according to a study published today.
Western takes first steps toward the Moon
A team comprised of Western faculty, postdoctoral scholars, graduate and undergraduate students is conducting an analogue Moon mission over the next two weeks.
Dragonfly will soar across Saturn moon
NASA has thrown its financial support behind project Dragonfly– a drone mission co-led by Western planetary geologist Catherine Neish – to explore Saturn’s massive moon Titan.
Research resets timeline for life on Mars
Western researchers, leading an international team, have shown that the first ‘real chance’ of Mars developing life started early, 4.48 billion years ago, when giant, life-inhibiting meteorites stopped striking the Red Planet.
Students land project – after a lost year
One year ago today, a team of Western graduate students launched a high-altitude balloon (HAB) 20 km into space with the lofty goal of studying the Earth’s stratosphere. The launch was a success. The retrieval not so much – at least until last week.
Close pass of ‘swarm’ calls for close observation
An oncoming swarm of meteors – one blamed for perhaps the most famed Earth encounter since the time of the dinosaurs – may statistically pose a more immediate risk for Earth and its inhabitants than previously believed.
Lunar researchers prepare for next ‘giant leap’
As Canada joins NASA’s space mission to explore the mysteries of the moon within the next decade, Western will play a key role in preparing for the journey.
NASA web show eyes cosmos, Western expertise
Last week, Western professor Gordon ‘Oz’ Osinski fielded questions about the universe from around the planet when he appeared as a guest on Ask An Astrobiologist.
Have a question about the cosmos? Ask Oz.
Got a question about the cosmos? Join Western professor Gordon ‘Oz’ Osinski as he fields questions about the universe from around the planet when he appears as a guest on Ask An Astrobiologist
Elite researchers share in CFI-JELF funding
Generating a better understanding on everything from meteorites, autism and heart disease drug, to asthma and air pollutants, Western researchers are sharing in more than $1 million in funding from the federal Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF).