Carle M. Pieters facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carle M. Pieters
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| Education | B.A. (1966) in Math Education; B.S. (1971), M.S. (1972), and Ph.D. (1977) in Planetary Science |
| Alma mater | Antioch College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
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| Fields | Planetary science |
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| Thesis | Characterization and distribution of lunar mare basalt types using remote sensing techniques (1977) |
| Doctoral advisor | Thomas B. McCord |
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Carle McGetchin Pieters, born in 1943, is an American scientist who studies planets. She is known as a planetary scientist. Dr. Pieters has written many articles about her research. She also helped write a book about how to study the chemicals and minerals on planets from far away. Her main work involves exploring planets and understanding how their surfaces change over time. She focuses on figuring out what planets are made of without actually going there.
Contents
Carle Pieters' Journey in Science
Early Education and Teaching
Carle Pieters started her education at Antioch College. In 1966, she earned a degree in math education. After that, she taught high school math for a year in Massachusetts. Then, she spent two years teaching science in Malaysia. She was part of the Peace Corps, helping people in other countries.
Becoming a Planetary Scientist
When she returned to the United States, Carle Pieters continued her studies. She went to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. There, she earned more degrees in Planetary Science. She received her Bachelor of Science in 1971, her Master of Science in 1972, and her Ph.D. in 1977.
Working at NASA and Brown University
After finishing her Ph.D., Dr. Pieters worked at NASA's Johnson Space Center for three years. In 1980, she became a professor at Brown University. She has been teaching and doing research there ever since.
Exploring the Moon and Asteroids
Dr. Pieters is a very important scientist for space missions. She was the main scientist for the Moon Mineralogy Mapper. This special instrument was sent to the Moon on India's Chandraayan-1 spacecraft. Its job was to map the different minerals on the Moon's surface in great detail.
She also helps with NASA's Dawn mission. This mission explored two large asteroids: Vesta and Ceres. Dr. Pieters helps scientists understand what these space rocks are made of. She is also a member of a NASA committee that helps protect planets from contamination.
Awards and Special Recognitions
Carle Pieters has received many important awards for her work. These awards show how much she has contributed to planetary science.
- An asteroid was named after her! It is called 3713 Pieters.
- In 2015, she received the Shoemaker Distinguished Scientist Medal. This award is for scientists who have dedicated their lives to planetary science.
- She was given the GK Gilbert Award in 2010. This is the highest award from the Geological Society of America's Division for Planetary Sciences.
- In 2004, she received the Kuiper Prize. This is the most important award from the American Astronomical Society's Division for Planetary Sciences.
- She was chosen as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2007.
- She became a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union in 2001.
- In 2020, she was elected a Legacy Fellow of the American Astronomical Society.
See also
In Spanish: Carle M. Pieters para niños
