By comparing remote sensing measurements of the Earth to other planets in our (and other) Solar System we can gain key insights into the underlying processes that drive a planet’s climate and surface evolution. Neil heads a research group that is working at the interface between Earth and planetary science by conducting pioneering research using a unique set of observations of the Earth’s radiation budget from lunar orbit. The details of any D.Phil project would be defined with the student, but are likely to involve the detailed analysis of Earth observation data from the Diviner Lunar Infrared Radiometer currently in lunar orbit as part of NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission and connecting to additional sources of remote sensing data. The project could involve analysis of satellite datasets and comparisons with results from global climate models and will involve the student with the wider Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter team, providing the opportunity to work in both the Earth and planetary science communities.
Neil Bowles has a Bachelors in Physics from Imperial College and a D.Phil in Planetary Physics from Oxford. He is a member of the Planetary Experiments and Planetary Surfaces groups in Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics. He is also a co-investigator and science team member on numerous NASA missions.
