Prof. Benjamin P Weiss

Professor Weiss studies the formation, evolution, and history of planets and small bodies, with a particular focus on paleomagnetism and geomagnetism and habitability. I conduct laboratory analyses of planetary samples and in situ spacecraft exploration of solar system bodies to understand the history of planetary physical and chemical processes.

Key Research Discoveries: (a) Demonstrated that the Moon generated a long-lived core dynamo; (b) demonstrated the existence of a nebular magnetic field like that predicted to have played a central role in planet formation; (c) discovered that some asteroids generated core dynamos; (d) developed magnetic microscopy as a new tool for paleomagnetism; (e) provided evidence for the existence of the ancient Martian dynamo; (f) found that some meteorites were not heat-sterilized during their transfer from Mars to Earth.