Bruce Jakosky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bruce Jakosky
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Jakosky in 2016
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Bruce Martin Jakosky
December 9, 1955 |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Scientist |
| Employer | University of Colorado at Boulder |
Bruce Martin Jakosky was born on December 9, 1955. He is a well-known American scientist and professor. He teaches about Earth and other planets at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He also helps lead the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) there.
Professor Jakosky has worked on many exciting space missions. These include important projects like Viking, Clementine, Mars Global Surveyor, and MAVEN. He also helps plan future trips to space.
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Bruce Jakosky's Career in Space Science
Exploring Planets and Life Beyond Earth
Bruce Jakosky leads a team at the University of Colorado at Boulder that is part of the NASA Astrobiology Institute. Astrobiology is the study of life in the universe, including how it began and where else it might exist.
He was a researcher at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics from 1982 to 1988. He is an expert in the geology of Earth and other planets. He also studies the possibility of extraterrestrial life, which means life beyond Earth.
His research focuses on the surfaces of planets, especially the geology of Mars. He also studies how the Martian atmosphere and climate have changed over time. He looks into atmospheric chemistry and the chances for life on Mars and other places.
Leading the MAVEN Mission to Mars
In September 2008, a big project called MAVEN was chosen by NASA. MAVEN is a spacecraft designed to orbit Mars. Its main goal is to study the Martian atmosphere.
The MAVEN probe was launched into space on November 18, 2013. Bruce Jakosky was the main scientist, called the "principal investigator," for MAVEN. He led the project from when it started in 2003 until August 31, 2021. After that, Shannon Curry took over his role.
The MAVEN project was a very large research contract for the University of Colorado at Boulder. It helped us learn a lot about how Mars lost its water and atmosphere.
Books by Bruce Jakosky
Bruce Jakosky has written books to share his knowledge with others.
- Jakosky, B.M. (1998). The search for life on other planets, Cambridge University Press.
- Jakosky, B.M. (2006). Science, Society, and the Search for Life in the Universe, Univ. Arizona Press.
