Philip R. Christensen is a Professor in the Dept. of Geology, Arizona State University. He completed his Ph.D. in Geophysics and Space Physics at UCLA in 1981. His research interests focus on the physical properties and processes, morphology, and composition of planetary surfaces, including the Earth, Mars, the Moon, comets, and asteroids. These studies are addressed using thermal spectroscopy, radiometry, radar reflection, laboratory measurements, field observations, and numerical modeling. The pursuit of these interests has involved field studies in the western U.S., Hawaii, Mexico, and South America. He is currently using spacecraft observations to study environmental and urban development problems on Earth. A major element of his research has been the design and development of spacecraft and aircraft thermal remote sensing instruments, including the Thermal Emission Spectrometer instrument flown on the Mars Observer and Mars Global Surveyor Spacecraft Missions. Christensen is PI on the MGS TES instrument, as well as PI for the Surveyor 2001 Orbiter THEMIS instrument and a Co-I on the 2001 Athena rover. He is a Team Member on a Mission to Planet Earth instrument and a PI in the Planetary Geology and Geophysics Program. He has been a member of COMPLEX, the Mars Science Working Group, the Solar System Exploration Management Council, chair of the Lunar and Planetary Geology Review Panel, Co-I in the Planetary Data System, and member of the Viking Infrared Mapping team.

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Last updated: April 17, 1998

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