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Bethany Ehlmann

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description Bethany Ehlmann Overview

Bethany Ehlmann is an American planetary geologist and a professor at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). She is widely recognized for her research utilizing orbital spectroscopy to identify minerals on Mars, helping to reconstruct the planet's ancient environmental and aqueous history. Ehlmann serves as the principal investigator for NASA's Lunar Trailblazer mission, a small satellite designed to map and measure water on the surface of the Moon. Her work frequently intersects with science policy and the strategic planning of future planetary exploration missions.

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How did Bethany Ehlmann find evidence of water on ancient Mars?

Ehlmann used near-infrared data from the CRISM spectrometer aboard NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter to identify clay minerals. Such minerals form through interactions between rock and liquid water, preserving clues about early Martian environments.

What was Lunar Trailblazer designed to measure?

The NASA mission was designed to map the form, abundance, and distribution of water on the Moon at high resolution. Its instruments included the HVM3 imaging spectrometer and the Lunar Thermal Mapper.

Did Bethany Ehlmann work on the Perseverance rover mission?

Yes. Ehlmann has participated in Mars rover science and helped interpret the geology and mineralogy of Jezero crater for the Mars 2020 mission. Perseverance landed there in February 2021 to investigate an ancient lake environment.

Where does Bethany Ehlmann conduct her planetary research?

She is associated with the California Institute of Technology and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Her work connects laboratory spectroscopy, spacecraft observations, and the selection of scientifically valuable planetary sites.