Oct. 3, 2012 — Dr. Pamela E. Clark, a member of the Institute for Astrophysics and Computational Studies at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., will present a technical seminar at Morehead State University’s Space Science Center Friday, Oct. 5.
Her talk on remote sensing of the earth and other planetary systems, titled “Tools for Remote Sensing in the 21st Century: Exploration in Earth Orbit and Beyond,” will be held in room 117 at 3:30 p.m.
Dr. Clark, who grew up in New England was inspired by President John Kennedy and decided to explore outer space by the time she was 13-years-old.
She obtained her B.A. degree from St. Joseph College. While obtaining her Ph.D. degree in planetary geochemistry from the University of Maryland, she worked at NASA/GSFC and the Astrogeology Branch of the USGS in Flagstaff, Ariz., simulating, analyzing, correlating, and interpreting lunar X-ray spectra.
After completing her Ph.D., she joined the technical staff at NASA/JPL, worked with the Goldstone Solar System Radar group, and expanded her remote sensing background to include radar, thermal and near infrared studies of planetary surfaces with particular emphasis on the study of Mercury’s surface. Dr. Clark organized a briefing team to promote a mission to Mercury, and for a while edited the Mercury Messenger newsletter. Springer published her books “Dynamic Planet: Mercury in the Context of its Environment” and, more recently, “Remote Sensing Tools for Exploration.”
She is currently involved in developing and evaluating surface science scenarios, tools, technologies, and architectures and for space missions to extreme environments, with particular emphasis on the Moon and Mars.
Dr. Clark has done several stints in academic institutions. She has developed courses in remote sensing, instrumental analysis, analytical and environmental chemistry, geochemistry, physical geology, mineralogy, optics, planetary astronomy and physics.
Iinformation is available by contacting Dr. Benjamin K. Malphrus, Department of Earth and Space Sciences chair, at 606-783-2212.
