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 planetary scientist. This means she studies planets, moons, and other objects in space. She has written over 150 research articles. She also co-wrote a book about how scientists study the elements and minerals on planets from far away. Her main work is about exploring planets and understanding how their surfaces change over time. She uses special tools to figure out what planets are made of.
Contents
Carle Pieters' Journey in Science
Early Life and Education
Carle Pieters started her journey by earning a degree in math education in 1966. After teaching high school math for a year, she spent two years helping others. She taught science as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Malaysia. When she came back to the U.S., she studied Planetary Science. She earned three more degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. These included her Ph.D. in 1977.
Working at NASA and Brown University
After finishing her studies, Dr. Pieters worked at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Then, in 1980, she became a professor at Brown University. She has been there ever since, teaching and doing research.
Exploring the Moon and Asteroids
Dr. Pieters leads a very important project called the Moon Mineralogy Mapper. This is a special camera that flew to the Moon on an Indian spacecraft called Chandraayan-1. The camera helps scientists create detailed maps of the Moon's minerals. It shows what the Moon's surface is made of.
She also helps with NASA's Dawn mission. This mission sent a spacecraft to explore two large asteroids. These asteroids are named Vesta and Ceres. Her work helps us learn more about these space rocks.
Important Roles in Science
Dr. Pieters is also a member of the NASA Advisory Council. This group gives advice to NASA on important space topics. She is also a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She is also a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union. These titles show that she is a highly respected scientist.
Awards and Special Recognitions
Dr. Carle Pieters has received many important awards for her work:
- 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 won the GK Gilbert Award in 2010. This is the highest award from the Geological Society of America's Planetary Sciences group.
- In 2004, she was given the Kuiper Prize. This is the top award from the American Astronomical Society's Planetary Sciences group.
- She was chosen as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2007.
- She was chosen as a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union in 2001.
- In 2020, she became a Legacy Fellow of the American Astronomical Society.
See also
In Spanish: Carle M. Pieters para niños
