Stetson University Hosts Planetary Scientist Stephen Elardo

DELAND, Florida – On Thursday, March 17, Stetson University’s Gillespie Museum hosts its second conversation in the spring 2022 Science Café/Armchair Geology series. It’s called “Roadside Geology of Earth’s Moon,” with geochemist and planetary scientist Stephen Elardo, assistant professor and NASA Early Career Fellow in the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Florida. Elardo leads research at the Florida Planets Lab.

The Florida Planets Lab focuses on the processes by which planets are formed and then separated into a core, mantle and crust, to gain a more complete picture of planetary evolution.

In his talk, Elardo will discuss the major features of lunar geology: What kinds of rocks do we find and how did they form? What’s in the Moon’s interior and how do we study it? What kinds of features do we see on the lunar surface?

During his lecture, he hopes that the “next time you go out and look at the Moon, you’ll have a much stronger appreciation for what a rich and complex world it is.”

As a petrologist, geochemist and planetary scientist, Elardo uses a variety of experimental and analytical techniques and sample types to answer large-scale questions about the origin and evolution of the terrestrial planets.

In 2014 Elardo earned his PhD, with distinction, from the Institute of Meteoritics at the University of New Mexico before moving to the Geophysical Laboratory, which is part of the Carnegie Institution for Science, for a postdoctoral work before joining the faculty at the University of Florida.

“I’ve been studying the Moon professionally for almost 15 years, and the more I learn about it, the less I feel sure I really understand it,” Elardo commented. “But hopefully I can give you a window into what we DO know about the Moon!”

This spring’s Science Café series, with its focus on Armchair Geology, is co-sponsored by Stetson’s Department of Environmental Science and Studies. According to Stetson geologist Ben Tanner, PhD, associate professor and chair, Elardo’s visit provides students with a “wonderful opportunity to see how techniques in geology can be applied to study other bodies in our solar system.”

“Added to that,” Tanner continued, “Earth’s moon has a fascinating and mysterious geologic story that should be of interest to many across the Stetson community. I’m very much looking forward to this event!”

Elardo’s visit to campus is also supported by Stetson’s Department of Physics and a National Science Foundation STEM scholarship grant. “Many of our physics majors enjoy taking our introductory-level course in planetary astronomy, where they learn about the astrophysics and geology of planets and moons in our solar system,” noted Kevin Riggs, PhD, professor of physics and chair. “Dr. Elardo’s presentation on the geology of the Earth’s moon should also be of great interest to our majors, and we are therefore pleased to co-sponsor this event.”

The Gillespie has hosted Science Café events for the past 10 years to promote science literacy.

For those who wish to join in person, the Science Café will offer coffee, tea and desserts, served on the museum’s porch; masks will be required indoors during the presentation. Through a Zoom link, others may join as armchair geologist.

The final café presentation this spring is “Mars Sample Return Mission,” with organic geochemist and planetary scientist Amy Williams, University of Florida (April 14). Events begin at 5 pm. To register for any of the presentations, contact the museum (gillesiemuseum@stetson.edu, 386-822-7330) to reserve a seat or to receive the presentation link on Zoom.

Science Café/Armchair Geology, March 17
Science Café/Armchair Geology: “A Roadside Geology of Earth’s Moon”
Thursday, March 17, 5 p.m.
Gillespie Museum, Stetson University
Contact: Karen Cole, PhD, Director (kcole@stetson.edu; 386-822-7330)

About Stetson University

Founded in 1883, Stetson University is the oldest private university in Central Florida. Stetson focuses on intense learning experiences in a supportive community that allows students to develop their voice in a connected, inclusive environment. Stetson ranks in the top five on U.S. News & World Report’s list of Best Regional Universities (South) and is consistently recognized as one of The Princeton Review’s Best Colleges. Stay connected with Stetson on social media.