Simone Marchi, PhD

My research interests span from asteroids to terrestrial planets. In particular:

• Formation of terrestrial planets and the Moon
• Geology of asteroids and terrestrial planets
• Spectroscopy & dynamics of minor bodies
• Meteorites

I am most active in the field of the collisional evolution of terrestrial planets and asteroids. Their rocky surfaces serve as "snapshots" of the bombardment history of the inner solar system. One may say that early processes in the solar system that are no longer observable are locked into cratered terrains. By studying these battered surfaces one may gain insights on the magnitude and frequency of early collisions in the inner solar system, including our own Earth.

I am also involved in several space missions, including NASA Lucy, NASA Psyche, ESA BepiColombo, ESA JUICE, and NASA Dawn.