Geological Society of America

T63 Planetary Exploration and Education: How We Learn about Our Solar System and Beyond

Sunday, 15 October 2023
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
323

GEOSPACE: MISSION CONTROL AND ASTRONAUT EXPLORATION FIELD COURSE TEACHINGS

Paper number: T63-6
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 2:50 PM – 3:05 PM

Authors

McKayla Meier Presenting Author
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Trevor Collins
The Open University, Milton Keynes
Sean Thatcher
College of Staten Island, Staten Island, NY
Jennifer Piatek
Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT
Anita Marshall
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Yesenia Arroyo
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Stephen Elardo
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Amy Williams
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Elisabeth Gallant
University of Hawaii Hilo, Honolulu, HI
David A. Williams
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

Abstract

Planetary exploration occurs through mission data analysis, laboratory experiments and sample analysis, computer modeling, and terrestrial field work. GeoSPACE, an accessible virtual and in-person field course (NSF Award 2023124), aims to teach planetary geology through remote sensing and the study of terrestrial analogs. Undergraduate and graduate students in the course gain field experience in planetary volcanology, geophysics, and remote sensing. We use a “mission control” and “astronaut” approach where students participate online or in-person to explore volcanic and other geologic features in the San Francisco Volcanic Field (SFVF) in Arizona. The SFVF is a distributed volcanic field that reflects a variety of features also observed on other planetary bodies, making it a useful planetary analog.

Our “mission control” group is formed from online students, who attend with accommodations for work, disabilities, and life responsibilities. This group explores imagery, spectral, and physical datasets of planetary bodies with accessible applications, demonstrating the pros and cons of analyzing features with only a remote view. Mission control briefings for each analog site provide a thorough background from interpretations of remote sensing data and pose questions for the in-person “astronauts” to explore.

Our “astronaut” group is composed of in-person students who investigate geological features in the SFVF during the field course. Using mission control briefings, the astronauts explore geologic processes and the origin of features of interest, including details not visible in the remote sensing data. The astronauts gain experience with field geology methods, including GPS and photogrammetry.

The “mission control” and “astronaut” approach accommodates all our students while providing valuable field experience. The key to this approach is maintaining a strict daily schedule of briefings and debriefings with meetings focused on student-led presentations and discussions, developing a sense of community among all our students. Smaller project groups utilize Discord for communication between the online and in-person students, and the online students are included in field experiences through planned YouTube Live broadcasts, Zoom calls or video recordings.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 55, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2023AM-393154

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