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Aditya Khuller Senior Research Scientist akhuller@uw.edu |
Research Interests
Planetary Ices, Surface Processes, Surface–Atmosphere Processes, Radiative Transfer, Turbulence in the Atmospheric Boundary Layer, Spectroscopy, Thermophysics, Gullies, Aeolian Geomorphology, Climate evolution, Volcanism, Electric Propulsion, Remote Sensing Instrument Development
Biosketch
Dr. Khuller's research interests include studying planetary ices, surface processes and atmospheres using a combination of numerical modeling, remote sensing data (Visible/Near-infrared, Thermal Infrared, Radar, and Microwave wavelengths) and geological mapping.
Before joining APL-UW in late 2024, he was a postdoctoral researcher at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he gained experience with NASA flight hardware development and testing for thermal infrared instruments, CubeSat electric propulsion, and mission operations software.
Department Affiliation
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Polar Science Center |
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Education
B.S.E. Aerospace Engineering, Arizona State University, 2019
M.S. Geological Sciences, Arizona State University, 2021
Ph.D. Geological Sciences, Arizona State University, 2023
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Publications |
2000-present and while at APL-UW |
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Potential for photosynthesis on Mars within snow and ice Khuller, A.R., S.G. Warren, P.R. Christensen, and G.D. Clow, "Potential for photosynthesis on Mars within snow and ice," Commun. Earth Environ., 5, doi:10.1038/s43247-024-01730-y, 2024. |
More Info |
17 Oct 2024
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On Earth, solar radiation can transmit down to multiple metres within ice, depending on its optical properties. Organisms within ice can harness energy from photosynthetically active radiation while being protected from damaging ultraviolet radiation. On Mars, the lack of an effective ozone shield allows ~30% more damaging ultraviolet radiation to reach the surface in comparison with Earth. However, our radiative transfer modelling shows that despite the intense surface ultraviolet radiation, there are radiatively habitable zones within exposed mid-latitude ice on Mars, at depths ranging from a few centimetres for ice with 0.01–0.1% dust, and up to a few metres within cleaner ice. Numerical models predict that dense dusty snow in the martian mid-latitudes can melt below the surface at present. Thus, if small amounts of liquid water are available at these depths, mid-latitude ice exposures could represent the most easily accessible locations to search for extant life on Mars. |
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In The News
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Searching for life beneath the ice on Mars (Video) FOX 13 News Seattle A new study from NASA explores the possibility of life on Mars. The lead researcher has recently joined the Applied Physics Lab at UW. |
24 Oct 2024
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Could life exist below Mars ice? NASA study proposes possibilities NASA While actual evidence for life on Mars has never been found, a new NASA study proposes microbes could find a potential home beneath frozen water on the planet's surface. Through computer modeling, the study's authors have shown that the amount of sunlight that can shine through water ice would be enough for photosynthesis to occur in shallow pools of meltwater below the surface of that ice. |
17 Oct 2024
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Life could exist on Mars in shallow meltwater pools below icy surface, study suggests UW News Scientists have yet to find evidence of life on Mars, but a new study suggests microbes could find a potential home beneath layers of ice known to exist on Mars’ surface. "If we’re trying to find life anywhere in the universe today, Martian ice exposures are probably one of the most accessible places we should be looking," said lead author Aditya Khuller. |
17 Oct 2024
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