Benjamin Farcy is a postdoctoral researcher at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center via the CRESST II program, focusing on the geochemistry of the Moon and Earth, and on instrumentation to measure chemical signatures on lunar or planetary surfaces. His experience has allowed him to be a collaborator on multiple spaceflight mission efforts and to gain an understanding of the chemistry and history of the terrestrial planets.
Benjamin Jacob Farcy
(FACULTY RESEARCH ASSISTANT)
| Email: | benjamin.j.farcy@nasa.gov |
| Phone: | 301.286.4385 |
| Org Code: | 699 |
| Address: |
NASA/GSFC Mail Code 699 Greenbelt, MD 20771 |
| Employer: | UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND AT COLLEGE PARK |
Brief Bio
Research Interests
Scientific Instrument Development
Solar System: Technology & MissionsBenjamin has participated in multiple efforts to develop spaceflight instrument for in situ exploration of planetary surfaces. Serving as the role of both Co-I and PI, he has focused on developing laser-based mass spectrometry and its application to geochemistry and the organic content of the surfaces of multiple solar system targets.
Planetary Geochemistry
Solar System: Planetary GeologyDr. Farcy is trained as a geologist, with an expertise in using trace element and isotope systematics to better understand the structure and history of rocky planets. He has previously published geochemical analyses of samples from Earth, Mars, and the Moon using a variety of techniques. Future work aims to investigate the geochemistry of planets via orbital-based measurements and remote sensing, laboratory analyses of planetary samples, and in situ analyses of planetary surfaces using novel spaceflight instrument.
Positions/Employment
Postdoctoral Researcher
University of Maryland - College Park, MD
January 2023 - Present
Postdoctoral Researcher
University of Maryland - College Park, MD
November 2021 - January 2023
Faculty Research Assistant
University of Maryland - College Park, MD
September 2015 - August 2017
Education
2017 - 2021 Ph. D. Geology, University of Maryland, College Park MD. Dissertation: A Prototype Miniature Mass Spectrometer for In Situ Analysis of Trace Elements on Planetary Surfaces
2012 - 2014 M.S. Geological Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale IL. Thesis: Effect of Cl on near-liquidus crystallization of olivine-phyric shergottite NWA 6234: Implications for volatile-induced melting of the Martian Mantle
2009 - 2012 B.S. Geology, Indiana University, Bloomington IN