Understanding how geological materials and landforms leverage our understanding of planetary evolution and planetary habitability is one of my main research interests. Geoscience may appear to have a 'geocentric worldview', but it is quite adept in luring you into looking upwards to those other geological wonders in the Solar System.
Keywords
meteorites, planetary geoscience, geomorphology, glaciovolcanism, aeolian research, sedimentology
Researchinterest
Although limited in absolute numbers, the ‘Dutch’ meteorites tell a fascinating story of primitive, metamorphosed and differentiated planetary bodies. Each represents a step in the story – during the first millions of years – of the growth to planethood. This is why we are dedicated to studying the 'fossils of our solar system' and recovering new meteorites that fall in the Netherlands.
For the final stages in planetary evolution – spanning the scale of billions of years – landscapes can help us to study and tell this story. Internal and external processes that have affected a planetary surface have caused it to retaining clues to the planet’s geologic, climatic, and possibly biologic past. By studying landscape 'analogues' on Earth using drones and fieldwork, we can better interpret landscapes on e.g. Mars. Where meteoritics studies the earliest rocks, planetary geoscience studies their lasts transformations; both are highly complementary and timely endeavours in the ongoing exploration of our Solar System.
Keypublications
Langbroek, M., Jenniskens, P., Kriegsman, L.M., Nieuwenhuis, H., de Kort, N., Kuiper, J., van Westrenen, W., Zolensky, M.E., Ziegler, K., Yin, Q-Z., Sanborn, M.E., Wimpenny, J., Yamakawa, A., de Vet, S.J., Meier, M.M.M., Welten, K.C., Nishiizumi K., Burton, A.S., Dworkin, J.P., Glavin, D.P., Wu, Q., Zare, R.N., Ruf, A., Harir, M., Schmitt-kopplin, P., 2019. The CM carbonaceous chondrite regolith Diepenveen. Meteoritics and Planetary Science, doi:10.1111/maps.13297
Bart M.C., de Vet S.J., de Bakker D.M., Alexander B.E., van Oevelen D., van Loon E.E., van Loon J.J.W.A., de Goeij J.M. 2019. Spiculous skeleton formation in the freshwater sponge Ephydatia fluviatilis under hypergravity conditions. PeerJ, doi:10.7717/peerj.6055
Teachingactivities
As senior lecturer at TU Delft's faculty op Aerospace Engineering, I am teaching in several BSc and MSc courses on topics in planetary geoscience and meteorites, as well as laboratory techniques. In addition I have developed the Delft Meteorite Lab, an online teaching collection based on 3-D models of meteorites and impact rocks, including some examples from the Naturalis meteorite collection.
As part of my Comenius Teaching Fellowship at TU Delft I am developing a ‘Planetary Analogue Rock Collection’ (PARC) containing hands-on examples of rocks and minerals that are also found on other planetary bodies, as well as with their ‘digital twins’ (interactive 3-D models). The aim is to make the learning process of students more compatible with current insights from research into the interior properties and surface materials of the rocky planets in the solar system.
Currenttopics
A selection of the topics I am working on currently.
Diepenveen-meteoriet heeft overeenkomsten met planetoïde Ryugu
Publicoutreach
- Public speaker with a diverse track record focussed on promoting geosciences in the solar system, aiming to cross-pollinate the fields of geology and astronomy. I also contribute to public events at the Naturalis museum to talk about the exciting research that we can do with meteorites.
- Secretary of the Dutch National Working Group on Meteors which promotes and popularises meteor astronomy. The association activly contributes to the search and recovery of meteorites, fostering e.g. the Pro-Am collaboration between Naturalis and other groups in The Netherlands.
- Contributed to various news outlets to explain developments in planetary science, space exploration and meteoritics. Notable examples include Klokhuis, RTL Late Night, DWDD, Zapp Live, NOS, Heel Nederland Kijkt Sterren, De Kennis van Nu, National Geographic.
- Author of the popular scientific book ‘Praktisch planeetonderzoek voor de zaterdagochtend’ (Lebowksi Publishers, 2016. in: Dutch).
- My 3D model of the main mass of the 1843 Utrecht meteorite (aka. ‘Blaauwkapel’), has been used by Museum for one day, a social inclusive initiative to bring museum objects and their stories to senior citizens.