My students and I are planetary scientists who study the planets, moons, asteroids, and comets of the Solar System as well as other planetary systems with the tools of celestial mechanics, geophysics, and geochemistry. Our science is driven by the big questions: Where did we come from? What else is out there? and, How unique is our history? We call our research group the Planetary Makerspace because we collaboratively learn, explore, and create, but instead of physical objects, we're building planets, other solar system objects, and even entire planetary systems in our computers to compare against data from around-the-globe and off-the-planet. Constraints for our theoretical models might come from laboratory measurements of terrestrial rocks, meteorites, and returned spacecraft samples as well as observations from in-situ spacecraft including flyby, orbiting, landing, and roving missions and ground- and space-based telescopes.
Teaching
I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Michigan State University with an courtesy appointment in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
In Fall 2024, I will be teaching GLG 201 Introduction to Earth and Planetary Science, a physical geology course.
Courses that I’ve offered in the past include Planetary Sciences, Cosmochemistry, Exploration of the Solar System, Solar System Dynamics, and Planet Formation and Evolution.
Giant impact on an early Earth (2019). Painting by Dr. William Hartmann, co-author of the original giant impact hypothesis for the formation of the Moon, and hanging in PI Seth Jacobson’s office, Rm 142.
research
We simulate the construction of the Solar System from a protoplanetary disk considering dynamical and compositional constraints.
We build physicochemical models of planet formation to compare to geochemical and geophysical data.
We study the long-term dynamical and compositional evolution of planets, moons, and asteroids to understand how time has changed them.
Planetary Makerspace PI
Asst. Prof. Seth A. Jacobson
Opportunities
There are opportunities to join the Planetary Makerspace at Michigan State University at all levels: undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate. Please click here for details. Our group policies are described here.
I also maintain a list of planetary science specific internships and fellowships. Please contact me if you would like an opportunity added to the list. I try to keep an up-to-date and accurate list of opportunities, but please follow links and contact the program organizers, if you have questions.
contact
Email: seth@msu.edu
Phone: +1 (517) 355-1941
Office address:
Giltner Hall, Rm. 302
Mailing address:
288 Farm Ln
Natural Science Bldg, Rm 207
East Lansing, MI 48824