Bio

Jim Bell is an Associate Professor in the Cornell University Astronomy Department. He received his B.S. from Caltech and his Ph.D. from the University of Hawaii, performing research on Mars surface mineralogy and climate variations using infrared and optical telescopes at Mauna Kea Observatory. His studies primarily focus on the geology, chemistry, and mineralogy of planets, asteroids, and comets using data obtained from telescopes and spacecraft missions.

Jim is the lead scientist for the Pancam color imaging system on the NASA Mars Exploration Rover (Spirit and Opportunity) missions, and is also a member of the science teams of the NASA Mars Pathfinder, Mars '01 Odyssey Orbiter, Mars '05 Reconnaissance Orbiter, and 2009 Mars Science Laboratory mission teams.

Past Shows

Mars & the Rover Missions

Leader of the team that created the cameras on the Mars Rovers, Jim Bell discussed the Rover missions as well as conditions on the Red Planet. Both Spirit and Opportunity have far exceeded expectations on how long they would last. It was hoped they would... more >>
Host: Art Bell