Center for Earth and Planetary Studies

CEPS News and Highlights features not only current events and happenings at Center for Earth and Planetary Studies and the National Air and Space Museum, but also reflects ongoing programs and research involving CEPS staff. Whenever possible, we have provided links to additional information that can be found on CEPS' own department pages and elsewhere on the Internet.

July 13, 2012
Mars Day!

This year's Mars Day! welcomed over 7,000 visitors. In preparation for the landing of the Mars Science Laboratory in August, several stations were dedicated to the rover, mission and landing site.
More Information

April 21, 2012
Scratching Beneath the Surface

What's inside a planet? Two CEPS scientists invited visitors, at the National Air and Space Museum's Explore the Universe Family Day, to explore this and other questions using hands-on activities related to research into tectonics on Mercury.
More Information

February 21, 2012
Recent Geologic Activity on the Moon

CEPS scientist discovers recent stretching of the Moon's crust.
More Information

July 22, 2011
Mars Day!

Over 7,000 visitors participated in this year’s Mars Day! A full-scale model of the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover was on display and as an added bonus NASA announced the landing site for the rover live from the Museum.
More Information

March 15, 2011
Women in Science

CEPS researchers were interviewed for “Women in Science Month” on the Smithsonian Channel.
Dr. Maria Banks
Sharon Wilson Purdy
Maria and Sharon: How to take a photo of Mars

November 19, 2010
National Geography Awareness Week

To celebrate National Geography Awareness Week, CEPS staff held a Geography From Space Contest on November 17th, 18th, and 19th in the Looking at Earth, Gallery 110.
More Information

October 14, 2010
Lakes on Mars

CEPS researchers contributed to three chapters in the book “Lakes on Mars”, the first review on the subject by worldwide leading authorities in the field.
More Information

September 15, 2010
CEPS Planetary Mission Involvement

CEPS researchers are involved with two of the latest planetary missions, the first spacecraft to return to the moon and the first spacecraft sent to study asteroids Vesta and Ceres.
More Information

August 19, 2010
Incredible Shrinking Moon is Revealed by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter

CEPS scientist Thomas Watters is lead author of the paper published in the journal Science.
More Information

July 16, 2010
Mars Day!

CEPS presented Mars Day! an annual NASM celebration of the Red Planet. Eleven CEPS scientists, as well as scientists from the Museum of Natural History and NASA, were on hand to help visitors learn about Mars with a variety of fun family activities. Over 9,500 visitors participated.
More Information

July 16, 2009
Countdown to the Moon Day!

Visitors can celebrate the 40th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 11 with a variety of educational and fun activities throughout the Museum.
More Information

April 30, 2009
MESSENGER Discovers Unusual Impact Basin on Mercury

CEPS scientist Thomas Watters is lead author of the report on the findings published in the journal Science.
More Information