A faculty member in the Department of Physics and Astronomy has been selected to provide advice to guide the next decade of scientific studies of Mars.

Jasper Halekas, associate professor, has been appointed to serve on the Planetary Science and Astrobiology Decadal Survey 2023-2032: Panel on Mars. The panel sets the research priorities for the next decade in planetary science and astrobiology and is a key guiding document for two funding agencies—NASA and the U.S. National Science Foundation. As part of its guidance, the panel will determine the current state of knowledge and to identify the most important scientific questions to be addressed.

The panel will complete a report with its recommendations.