The Lunar and Planetary Institute

This is the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI).  They are a part of the Universities Space Research Association (USRA), providing support services to NASA.

You can learn a lot about the organization at their website: http://www.lpi.usra.edu

I also highly recommend following them on Facebook, as they are constantly posting interesting astronomical events, as well as the latest photos and research updates from across the planetary science community.

Half of the interns are stationed here, and half of are at the Johnson Space Centre (JSC).  I am one of the LPI interns, and I think our building is significantly prettier.

Main lobby at the visitor's entrance

The walls are all decorated with all kinds of maps and lunar/planetary images.  It is really beautiful and facinating.

Pretty stairway near visitor's entrance

Maps of creators on Mars

Moon maps along hallway

Research posters along hallway

Entrance to Lecture Hall (Why is Venus smaller than the other planets? Injustice!)

Typical scientist lounge - A plethora of comfy couches, academic posters, and a white board

My work space is the library, a concept which I consider to be academic heaven.  The library itself happens to be one of the most beautiful parts of the Institute.

Entrance to library

This display changes on a weekly basis - This week its for us!

I don't even know why this telescope is here, but it's awesome!  There are smaller telescopes which are available for borrowing

The books on these shelves are all educational materials for grade school programs

This section contains general science textbooks, while the rest of the library is devoted to space and geoscience related topics.  There is also a very extensive collection of lunar and planetary maps.

Some of the shelves are decorated with Lego and other models

The librarian said that everyone at LPI placed at least one piece on this Lego Curiosity, making it a collaborative team project.  I think that is pretty neat, and fits with the spirit of the success of the Curiosity mission.

My first day of work involved learning as much as I can about Venus' topology.  I pulled up a detailed map and a model of Venus for visual reference as I read the book.  Sitting across from me is my colleague, Molly.

Shelves of models beside our desks

Unfortunately, you can't get a good picture of the deer outside due to the reflectance of the windows, but they get very close!

I love that my desk is right beside a window; I've seen quite a lot of wildlife so far.  In fact, I'm actually really, really amazed by all the wildlife I've seen.  On a few days, we saw pairs of does grazing, and lying down just outside our windows.  On one day, a herd of six bucks with their antlers coming in walked past. We've also seen turkey vultures, egrets, red cardinals, scores of dragon flies and large yellow butterflies. The librarian says that in the summer, we'll start seeing bunnies too.  

I can't believe how lucky I am to be able to work in such an amazing place. I genuinely look forward to going into work every morning.  I also have a fantastic advisor, Dr. Allan Treiman, who is an absolute pleasure to work with.  I will write more about our project in a later post.

Thank you to everyone who helped me get here!