The Helen Kimmel Center for Planetary Science, established in 2011, focuses on imporving our understanding of other worlds, those in our own solar system and those orbiting other stars. Research addresses questions on the physics and chemistry of planetary environments, seeking to understand if conditions on Earth represent unique conditions or general properties of planets. The subjects addressed include the geology, geophysics, geochemistry, atmospheres, and climate history of other planetary objects. We use spacecraft observations, theoretical models and laboratory experiments to probe these worlds.
The center bridges between multiple departments at the Weizmann Institute, from Earth Sciences to Astrophysics, and includes participation from faculty and students with a variety of interests. We seek to create a vibrant and multidiciplinary research environment, connecting the evergowing range of topics related to planetary sciences.
Director
Prof. Yohai Kaspi
Prof. Yohai Kaspi is an atmospheric dynamicist studying the atmospheric physics of Earth and other planets. He is a member of NASA’s Science Team for the Juno spacecraft mission to Jupiter, where he is leading the study of Jupiter’s atmospheric dynamics using a range of new measurements obtained by Juno. Prof. Kaspi is also instrumental in the European Space Agency’s JUICE mission to Jupiter, leading the atmospheric radio occultation experiment (AROE) designed to investigate properties of Jupiter’s atmosphere and several of its moons.
Contanct:
Office: 08-9344238
Email: yohai.kaspi@weizmann.ac.il