25 June Interview
motivation and qualification for the Master's Program.
32 selection points
I'm particularly fascinated by how we can use technology to study Earth's geological processes, such as volcanism, and apply this knowledge to other planets.
I'm keen to explore how studying volcanic processes and water cycles on other planets can enhance our understanding of similar phenomena on Earth.
I'm fascinated by the concept of terraforming
terraformation ("Earth-shaping") is the hypothetical process of deliberately modifying the atmosphere, temperature, surface topography or ecology of a planet, moon, or other body to be similar to the environment of Earth to make it habitable for humans to live on.
Create habitable conditions and how geological processes contribute to Earth's life-supporting systems
I'm especially interested in studying how Earth's geological processes, such as plate tectonics and volcanism, work together with other factors like the water cycle and atmosphere to create and maintain habitable conditions. Understanding these interactions on Earth could provide insights into the potential habitability of other planets.
Planetary Climate and Atmospheres
Remote Sensing of Atmosphere and Ocean
Late Accretion Onto Terrestrial Planets
Formation and evolution of crust on early earth
Global volatile cycles on early Earth
The DIVERSE project focuses on understanding the redox states of exoplanets, particularly those with strongly reduced interior chemistry. These planets, termed "Class X planets," are expected to have atmospheres formed by volcanic outgassing, differing significantly from Earth-like planets and resembling ice giants like Neptune. The project aims to explore the relationship between a planet's interior chemistry and its atmospheric composition, providing insights into diverse planetary formation and evolution processes.
The SPP1883 project addresses the question of how Earth became the only known habitable planet. It focuses on three critical aspects: the compositions and sources of Earth's building materials, the early internal processing into crust, mantle, and core, and the evolution of the ocean-atmosphere system. The project employs an interdisciplinary Earth Science approach, utilizing novel analytical techniques and experimental and modeling approaches to study early geological and extraterrestrial samples. The initiative aims to understand the unique conditions that made Earth habitable and involves various Earth Science disciplines, including geology, geochemistry, planetology, cosmochemistry, geobiology, and geophysical modeling.
The Habitat-OASIS project investigates the habitability of oceans and aqueous systems on icy satellites. It focuses on understanding the conditions that could support life in these extreme environments, examining the chemical and physical processes that influence habitability. The project aims to provide insights into the potential for life on icy moons, such as Europa and Enceladus, by studying their subsurface oceans and the interactions between the ice shell and the underlying water.
DIVERSE Project:
SPP1883: Building a Habitable Earth:
Habitat-OASIS Project:
These comments highlight your interest in the specific aspects of each project and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the research being conducted in the FU Berlin Planetary Sciences Master's program.
Does the program offer any courses or research opportunities specifically focused on terraforming concepts or technologies?
Are there modules or research projects that deal with planetary volcanism, both on Earth and other celestial bodies?
What kind of water analysis techniques are taught in the program, especially in relation to planetary exploration?
How much emphasis is placed on comparative planetology and geological processes across different planets and moons?
Are there opportunities to participate in field trips or excursions to study geological formations relevant to planetary science?
What kind of laboratory facilities are available for students to conduct experiments in planetary sciences?
Are there any ongoing research projects at FU Berlin related to the search for water or habitable environments on other planets?
Are there opportunities to study the potential geological and environmental impacts of terraforming on other planets?
Does the curriculum cover the study of extremophiles and their implications for potential life on other planets?
the role of geology in Earth's habitability, I would explain: Geological processes play a crucial role in maintaining Earth's habitability. Plate tectonics, for instance, regulates the carbon cycle and helps maintain a stable climate over geological timescales. Volcanism contributes to atmospheric composition and can influence climate. The interaction between the solid Earth and the hydrosphere creates a diverse range of environments suitable for life.
I'm particularly interested in recent research on how Earth's magnetic field, generated by its molten core, protects our atmosphere from solar wind erosion, thus contributing to long-term habitability. This showcases how deep Earth processes can have far-reaching effects on surface conditions.
My background in computer science, combined with my interests in geology, biology, and planetary science, allows me to approach the study of Earth's habitability from a systems perspective. I'm interested in developing models that integrate geological, atmospheric, and biological data to better understand how these systems interact to create and maintain habitable conditions.
Plate tectonics is crucial for Earth's long-term habitability. It regulates the carbon cycle by subducting carbon-rich sediments and releasing CO2 through volcanism, helps create diverse environments through mountain building and basin formation, and may play a role in generating Earth's magnetic field, which protects our atmosphere.
