Philip Russel Christensen (born 1953) is a
geologist whose research interests focus on the
composition, physical properties, processes, and
morphology of planetary surfaces, with an emphasis on
Mars and the
Earth. He is currently a Regents'
Professor and the Ed and Helen Korrick Professor of Geological Sciences at
Arizona State University
Arizona State University (Arizona State or ASU) is a public research university in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Founded in 1885 by the 13th Arizona Territorial Legislature, ASU is one of the largest public universities by enrollment in the ...
(ASU).
Education
Christensen earned his B.S. degree in
Geology from the
University of California, Los Angeles in 1976. He earned his M.S. in 1978 and his Ph.D. in 1981 in
Geophysics and
Space physics Space physics, also known as solar-terrestrial physics or space-plasma physics, is the study of plasmas as they occur naturally in the Earth's upper atmosphere (aeronomy) and within the Solar System. As such, it encompasses a far-ranging number of ...
, both from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Career
Along with serving on the faculty of the Department of Geology at Arizona State University since 1981, Christensen is the
principal investigator for the
Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES), the
Mars Odyssey THEMIS, the
Europa Clipper Europa Thermal Emission Imaging System
The Europa Thermal Emission Imaging System (E-THEMIS) instrument is designed to scan the surface of Europa and identify areas of geologically recent resurfacing through the detection of subtle thermal anomalies. This 'heat detector' will provide h ...
and the
Lucy Thermal Emission Spectrometer instruments, as well as a co-investigator for the
Mars Exploration Rovers, responsible for the
Mini-TES
The Miniature Thermal Emission Spectrometer (Mini-TES) is an infrared spectrometer used for detecting the composition of a material (typically rocks) from a distance. By making its measurements in the thermal infrared part of the electromagneti ...
instruments. He also serves on the research staff of the
Center for Meteorite Studies museum on the ASU campus and is the director of the
Mars Space Flight Facility
The Mars Space Flight Facility is located at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona.
The facility is a research center in Arizona State University's School for Earth and Space Exploration. Scientists, researchers, and students there specializ ...
. He served as co-chair of the
Planetary Science Decadal Survey in 2022, with
Robin M. Canup.
His discovery (based on
Thermal Emission Spectrometer data) of crystalline
hematite
Hematite (), also spelled as haematite, is a common iron oxide compound with the formula, Fe2O3 and is widely found in rocks and soils. Hematite crystals belong to the rhombohedral lattice system which is designated the alpha polymorph of . ...
in
Meridiani Planum was instrumental in that area's choice as the landing site for the
Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity.
Awards and honors
* Christensen was awarded the
Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal
The NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal (abbreviated ESAM) was established by NASA on September 15, 1961, when the original ESM was divided into three separate awards. Under the current guidelines, the ESAM is awarded for unusually sign ...
by
NASA in 2003, and was elected as a
Fellow of the
American Geophysical Union in 2004.
* In September, 2009, he served as chair of the Mars Panel of the National Research Council's 2013-2022 Decadal survey
on planetary science.
* Asteroid
90388 Philchristensen, discovered by the
Catalina Sky Survey in 2003, was named in his honor.
The official was published by the
Minor Planet Center
The Minor Planet Center (MPC) is the official body for observing and reporting on minor planets under the auspices of the International Astronomical Union (IAU). Founded in 1947, it operates at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.
Function
...
on 12 July 2014 ().
* In August, 2018, he was awarded the Whipple Award by AGU for his contributions to planetary science.
References
External links
Philip R. Christensen Curriculum Vitae
ASU Profile for Philip R. Christensen Arizona State University – School of Earth and Space Exploration
Phil Christensen's homepageTES Instrument HomepageTHEMIS Instrument HomepageMTES Instrument HomepageOTES (OSIRIS-REx Thermal Emission Spectrometer) instrument homepage
{{DEFAULTSORT:Christensen, Phil
1953 births
Arizona State University faculty
Fellows of the American Geophysical Union
Living people
Planetary scientists
University of California, Los Angeles alumni
UCLA Department of Earth Planetary and Space Sciences alumni