The effect of core composition on iron isotope fractionation between planetary cores and mantles

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Stephen Elardo is an assistant professor and NASA Early Career Fellow in the Department of Geological Sciences in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He is a petrologist, geochemist and planetary scientist that uses a variety of experimental and analytical techniques and sample types to answer large-scale questions about the origin and evolution of the terrestrial planets. Stephen's research interests in the processes by which planets formed and then separated into a core, mantle and crust. His research program is in planetary science and focuses on early planetary formation and evolution. Much of his work focuses on the geologic evolution of the moon.

Artemis

Magma

Apollo

Planetary Exploration

The Moon

Planetary Science

NASA

English

Faculty Page

Personal Website

Lab Site

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Assistant Professor

Associate Professor

Turnover

Firm-Political Interface (campaign contributions, lobbying, stock investments)

Boards of Directors

Executive Compensation

Executives

Executive Selection

Selection

Space

Persverance Rover

NASA Mars Missions

Mars Missions

Mars

Microbial Life on Mars

Habitable Environments on Mars

Curiosity Rover

Organic Molecules on Mars

 The ability to imagine has given the human species the power to create, problem solve, empathize, and theorize. In fact, creative imagination can be found at the origin of every modern development throughout time. From medical advancements and the formation of governments to the establishment of the internet and the creation of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 — all at first were simply imagined.

So, it is not a leap to think that in establishing a space institute at the University of Florida, collaborators would continue to anchor the institution in the human element of imagination. That’s where space exploration began.

Ancient Greek philosopher Thales, later known as the father of Greek science and mathematics, questioned the true origins of the universe. Introducing deductive reasoning, Thales sought answers beyond the stories of gods and heroes. Three hundred years later, Aristotle theorized the geocentric layout of the universe with Earth at its stationery core and celestial bodies revolving around it.

In the early 14th century, the Italian poet Dante told the story of a vertical journey through the universe, reaching the stars in what he described as paradise. And in the fall of 1609, Galileo began observing the heavens with instruments he created to magnify his view up to 20 times beyond what the natural eye could see. Through his telescope, Galileo observed mountains on the moon, rings around Saturn, and the moons of Jupiter, all evidence that the universe did not revolve around the Earth, but the sun.

Inspired by words written in 1865 by Jules Verne in his novel, “De la Terre à la Lune” (From the Earth to the Moon), a 10-year-old Russian boy questioned, could travel be possible beyond the Earth’s atmosphere? Could Verne’s 900-foot-long space gun propel humans — or anything for that matter — through the bonds of gravity and into outer space?

Read more here:  Looking to know more about the UF Astraeus Space Institute or connect with Rob Ferl, Amy J. Williams or Stephen Elardo? Simply click on either expert's icon now to arrange an interview today.


Humanities play integral role in the UF Astraeus Space Institute

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