James Head

James Head is an American planetary geologist who worked closely with NASA to help select and evaluate the lunar landing sites for the Apollo missions. He trained astronauts in lunar geology and surface science prior to their moonwalks.

Dr. James Head is a prominent professor at Brown University, where he conducts research in the Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences. His lab at Brown is well-known for simulating planetary surfaces.

His research heavily focuses on volcanic processes and glacial geology on other planets. He has extensively studied the volcanic history of Mars, the moon, and Venus, analyzing how their surfaces evolved over time.

Yes, James Head played a significant role in analyzing the radar images of Venus sent back by NASA's Magellan spacecraft in the 1990s. He and his colleagues at Brown used this data to map the planet's widespread volcanic plains and impact craters.