Vision and Voyages for Planetary Science in the - Solar System ...

up observations. Likewise, monitoring of Uranus and Neptune for anomalous cloud activity is solidly
within the capabilities of amateurs. Amateurs play an increasing role in the study of asteroids, both
through photometric monitoring and occultations, as well as observing fast-moving near-Earth objects
for orbit determinations. NSF support for modest investments in small observing facilities, such as
equipment or filter sets for modest telescopes operated on university campuses or by amateur
astronomers, would enhance the current synergy with professionals.
Laboratory Studies and Facilities for Planetary Science
In order to maximize the scientific return from NSF-funded ground-based observations and
NASA space missions alike, materials and processes must be studied in the laboratory. Planetary
science intersects with many areas of astrophysics that receive NSF funding for laboratory
investigations. Although laboratory research costs a fraction of missions, in most areas it receives
insufficient support, with the result that existing infrastructure is often not state of the art and required
upgrades cannot be made. NSF can make a huge impact on planetary science by supporting this vital
area of research. The committee recommends expansion of NSF funding for the support of
planetary science in existing laboratories, and the establishment of new laboratories as needs
develop. Areas of high priority for support include the following:
• Development and maintenance of spectral reference libraries for atmospheric and surface
composition studies, extending from X-ray to mm wavelengths. Studies should specifically include
ices and organics and their modification through bombardment by charged particles typical of
planetary magnetospheres, as well as the interfaces among atmospheric, surface, and subsurface
phases.
• Laboratory measurements of thermophysical properties of materials over the range of
conditions relevant to planetary objects, including phase diagrams in high pressure and low
temperature regimes, equations of state relevant to the interiors of the giant planets, rheological
properties, photochemistry and energy-dependent radiation chemistry.
• Investment in laboratory infrastructure and support for laboratory spectroscopy
(experimental and theoretical), perhaps through a network of general user laboratory facilities.
• Investigations of the physics and chemistry of aerosols in planetary atmospheres through
laboratory simulations.
The ties between planetary science and laboratory astrophysics will continue to strengthen and
draw closer with the expanding exploration of exoplanets and the development of techniques to study
their physical-chemical properties.
NOTES AND REFERENCES
1. National Research Council, An Enabling Foundation for NASA’s Space and Earth Science
Missions, The National Academies Press, Washington, D.C., 2010.
2. National Research Council, An Enabling Foundation for NASA’s Space and Earth Science
Missions, The National Academies Press, Washington, D.C., 2010.
3. White papers received by decadal survey: William B. McKinnon, Exploration Strategy for
the Outer Planets 2013-2022: Goals and Priorities; Matthew S. Tiscareno, Rings Research in the
Next Decade.
4. P.L. Read, T.E. Dowling, and G. Schubert. 2009. Saturn’s rotation period from its
atmospheric planetary-wave configuration. Nature 460:608-610.
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