Sciences and Exploration Directorate

Brief Bio


Caitlin Ahrens' research involves remote sensing of icy surfaces and volatile interactions, including permanently shadowed craters at the lunar poles, focusing on the composition and thermodynamics of ices. Dr. Ahrens' specific expertise focuses on modeling of thermal phases of ices, and applications to geomorphological and geophysical data on icy surfaces, including cryovolcanism. Dr. Ahrens also works on a number of planetary volcanism projects, including lava flow morphology, caldera formation, and rheology, on Mars, Ceres, Titan, and Pluto. Dr. Ahrens is currently applying LRO Diviner data with a myriad of other remote sensing data to investigate the volatiles at the lunar surface and lunar volcanism.

Dr. Ahrens received her B.S. in Physics/Astrophysics and Geology from West Virginia University in 2015, and a Ph.D. in Space and Planetary Science at the University of Arkansas in 2020.

Dr. Ahrens is currently a NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow at the Goddard Space Flight Center, advised by Dr. Noah Petro. She is also a member of the Diviner Science Team.

In 2018, Dr. Ahrens received the Ten Outstanding Young Americans award (presented by the Jaycees) for her efforts in science communication and outreach.

Current Projects


Volatile Ice Modeling at the Lunar Permanently Shadowed Regions

Moons

Using LRO Diviner data in combination with other remote sensing datasets to determine the stability and ice phases of the ices at the lunar poles. Duties also include classifying PSR (permanently shadowed regions) at the lunar poles for identification of possible volatile species and traverse planning for robotic and crewed missions.


GCA: Astrobiology from the Moon - Artemis Implications

Astrobiology

•Identify and characterize locations near the South Pole afford an opportunity to collect such samples.

•Identify methods to evaluate the degree of contamination occurring due to human exploration.

•Determine the possible distribution of volatiles reservoirs near the pole previously undetected through remote sensing analyses but preserved in the unique thermal environments at the lunar poles.  

Positions/Employment


NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) Research Associate

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center - Greenbelt, MD

2020 - Present


Teaching Assistant/Research Associate

Arkansas Center for Space and Planetary Science, University of Arkansas - Fayetteville, AR

2015 - 2020


Research Experience Undergraduate (REU), Astrogeology Branch

US Geological Survey - Flagstaff, AZ

2012 - 2012


Telescope Operator

West Virginia University Physics & Astronomy Department - Morgantown, WV

2011 - 2015


NASA Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program (EHP) Induced Environments Systems Manager

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center - Greenbelt, MD

April 2023 - Present

Education


2020 - PhD - Space and Planetary Science Center - University of Arkansas

[Dissertation: Understanding Ice Mixtures under Pluto Simulated Conditions and their Implications for Geophysical Processes]


2015 - BS - Physics Department, Astrophysics Emphasis, West Virginia University

2015 - BS - Geology Department, West Virginia University

Professional Societies


American Geophysical Union

Natural Hazards Program Committee member

2018 - Present


Seismological Society of America

2014 - Present


Geophysical Society of America

2010 - Present


Central Appalachian Astronomy Club

2005 - Present


Outer Planets Assessment Group (OPAG)

2016 - Present


Lunar Exploration and Analysis Group (LEAG)

2020 - Present


Laboratory Astrophysics Division

Affiliate Member

2022 - Present

Professional Service


American Geophysical Union (AGU) Natural Hazards 2023 Program Committee Member


IAU National Astronomy Education Coordinator Team (U.S. Team Member) (2022-present)


ISSI International Teams: Laboratory Investigations of Planetary Ices Team Member (PI: Ganna Portyankina) (2021-present)


TREX SSERVI member; Team 4 co-lead Camera Ops (2021-present)


LRO Planetary Science Working Group Member (2020-present)


Goddard Center for Astrobiology Member; Lunar Science Lead (2020-present)


LRO Diviner Science Team Member (2020-present)


Encyclopedia of Lunar Science (Springer) Board Member and Section Editor (2021-present)


NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador (2016-present)


NASA ROSES proposal reviews for multiple panels (2018-present): roles as primary reviewer and executive secretary


Reviewer for PSJ, ACS Earth Space Chemistry, Nature, Nature Communications


Session chair and science convener for numerous workshops and conferences

Awards


2019: Rising Star Award - West Virginia University Alumni

2019: FIRST LEGO League Coach/Mentor Service Award

2018: Ten Outstanding Young Americans (Jaycees)

2018: Outstanding Young West Virginians (Jaycees)

2010: Astronomical League Horkheimer/D'Auria Youth Service Award

Other Professional Information


West Virginia University Physics & Astronomy Department Visiting Committee Member (2021-present)


NASA Planetary Science Summer School (PSSS) (2021), Role: PI


Publications


Refereed

Emran, A., C. M. Dalle Ore, C. J. Ahrens, et al. M. K. Khan, V. F. Chevrier, and D. P. Cruikshank. 2023. Pluto’s Surface Mapping Using Unsupervised Learning from Near-infrared Observations of LEISA/Ralph The Planetary Science Journal 4 (1): 15 [10.3847/psj/acb0cc]

Ahrens, C., and R. Lena. 2022. An Effusive Lunar Dome Near Fracastorius Crater: Spectral and Morphometric Properties Remote Sensing 14 (23): 6135 [10.3390/rs14236135]

Leone, G., P. Grosse, C. Ahrens, and D. Gasparri. 2022. Geomorphological and morphometric characteristics of the volcanic edifices along a volcanic alignment of Tharsis on Mars Geomorphology 414 108385 [10.1016/j.geomorph.2022.108385]

Cohen, I. J., C. Beddingfield, R. Chancia, et al. G. DiBraccio, M. Hedman, S. MacKenzie, B. Mauk, K. M. Sayanagi, K. M. Soderlund, E. Turtle, C. Ahrens, C. S. Arridge, S. M. Brooks, E. Bunce, S. Charnoz, A. Coustenis, R. A. Dillman, S. Dutta, L. N. Fletcher, R. Harbison, R. Helled, R. Holme, L. Jozwiak, Y. Kasaba, P. Kollmann, S. Luszcz-Cook, K. Mandt, O. Mousis, A. Mura, G. Murakami, M. Parisi, A. Rymer, S. Stanley, K. Stephan, R. J. Vervack, M. H. Wong, and P. Wurz. 2022. The Case for a New Frontiers–Class Uranus Orbiter: System Science at an Underexplored and Unique World with a Mid-scale Mission The Planetary Science Journal 3 (3): 58 [10.3847/psj/ac5113]

Ahrens, C., H. Meraviglia, and C. Bennett. 2022. A Geoscientific Review on CO and CO2 Ices in the Outer Solar System Geosciences 12 (2): 51 [10.3390/geosciences12020051]

Williams, J., B. T. Greenhagen, K. A. Bennett, et al. D. A. Paige, N. Kumari, C. J. Ahrens, L. Rubanenko, T. M. Powell, P. Prem, D. T. Blewett, P. S. Russell, P. O. Hayne, and M. T. Sullivan. 2021. Temperatures of the Lacus Mortis region of the Moon Earth and Space Science [10.1029/2021ea001966]

Ahrens, C., V. Cataldo, and G. Leone. 2021. Volcanic eruptions on Mars and lava flow morphology and thermodynamics Mars: A Volcanic World

Ahrens, C., and G. Leone. 2021. Petrologic evolution of Martian volcanism and clues from meteorites Mars: A Volcanic World

Lang, N. P., C. Ahrens, and A. K. Farrell. 2021. The Origin and Evolution of Volcanism at Martian Highland Paterae: A Review of the Current State of Knowledge Mars: A Volcanic World 231-266 [10.1007/978-3-030-84103-4_9]

Umurhan, O., C. Ahrens, and V. F. Chevrier. 2021. Rheological and Thermophysical Properties and Some Processes Involving Common Volatile Materials Found on Pluto’s Surface The Pluto System After New Horizons (S. A. Stern, J. M. Moore, W. M. Grundy, L. A. Young, and R. P. Binzel, eds.) pp. 195–255 [10.2458/azu_uapress_9780816540945-ch010]

Ahrens, C. J., D. A. Paige, T. M. Eubanks, et al. W. P. Blase, K. E. Mesick, W. Zimmerman, N. Petro, P. O. Hayne, and S. Price. 2021. Small Penetrator Instrument Concept for the Advancement of Lunar Surface Science The Planetary Science Journal 2 (1): 38 [10.3847/psj/abda4f]

Ahrens, C. 2020. Modeling cryogenic mud volcanism on Pluto Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 406 107070 [10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2020.107070]

Ahrens, C., and V. Chevrier. 2020. Investigation of the morphology and interpretation of Hekla Cavus, Pluto Icarus 114108 [10.1016/j.icarus.2020.114108]

Malaska, M. J., J. Radebaugh, R. M. Lopes, et al. K. L. Mitchell, T. Verlander, A. M. Schoenfeld, M. M. Florence, A. Le Gall, A. Solomonidou, A. G. Hayes, S. P. Birch, M. A. Janssen, L. Schurmeier, T. Cornet, C. Ahrens, and T. G. Farr. 2020. Labyrinth terrain on Titan Icarus 344 113764 [10.1016/j.icarus.2020.113764]

Ahrens, C., and V. Chevrier. 2019. Compressional Ridges on Baret Montes, Pluto as Observed by New Horizons Geophysical Research Letters 46 (24): 14328-14335 [10.1029/2019gl085648]

Sizemore, H. G., B. E. Schmidt, D. A. Buczkowski, et al. M. M. Sori, J. C. Castillo‐Rogez, D. C. Berman, C. Ahrens, H. T. Chilton, K. H. Hughson, K. Duarte, K. A. Otto, M. T. Bland, A. Neesemann, J. E. Scully, D. A. Crown, S. C. Mest, D. A. Williams, T. Platz, P. Schenk, M. E. Landis, S. Marchi, N. Schorghofer, L. C. Quick, T. H. Prettyman, M. C. De Sanctis, A. Nass, G. Thangjam, A. Nathues, C. T. Russell, and C. A. Raymond. 2019. A Global Inventory of Ice‐Related Morphological Features on Dwarf Planet Ceres: Implications for the Evolution and Current State of the Cryosphere Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 2018JE005699 [10.1029/2018je005699]

Ahrens, C. J., W. M. Grundy, K. E. Mandt, et al. P. D. Cooper, O. M. Umurhan, and V. F. Chevrier. 2018. Recent Advancements and Motivations of Simulated Pluto Experiments Space Science Reviews 214 (8): 130 [10.1007/s11214-018-0558-6]

Charles, H., T. Titus, R. Hayward, C. Edwards, and C. Ahrens. 2017. Comparison of the mineral composition of the sediment found in two Mars dunefields: Ogygis Undae and Gale crater – three distinct endmembers identified Earth and Planetary Science Letters 458 152-160 [10.1016/j.epsl.2016.10.022]

Ahrens, S., and C. Ahrens. 2008. Method for forecasting earthquakes: based on P-ring junctions from seed earthquakes with tectonic plate edges and major fault lines US Patent [US7593907B2]

Non-Refereed

Ahrens, C., and N. E. Petro (he/him). 2022. Mapping Thermal Flux Boundaries Surrounding Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSRs) at the Lunar South Pole Lunar Polar Volatiles Conference, LPI (LPI No. 2703): id.5008

Ahrens, C. 2022. Bringing Planetary Science Mission Outreach to the Deaf and Blind Communities Advancing IDEA in Planetary Science Workshop, LPI No. 2679, id.2006

Ahrens, C., and N. E. Petro (he/him). 2022. Estimating the Rate of Growth or Shrinkage of the Amundsen Crater PSR Area 53rd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference id. 2339

Ahrens, C., C. Elder, R. Ghent, and D. Paige. 2021. The Rockiness of Lunar Tectonic Features AAS Division of Planetary Science meeting #53 53 (7): id. 306.01

Ahrens, C. 2021. Geologic Science Research Priorities for the Moons of Uranus Vol. 53, Issue 4 (Planetary/Astrobiology Decadal Survey Whitepapers) 53 (4): [10.3847/25c2cfeb.4ed69daf]

Ahrens, C. 2021. Advancing Experimental Research and Instrumentation in the Laboratory in Understanding the Moon Vol. 53, Issue 4 (Planetary/Astrobiology Decadal Survey Whitepapers) 53 (4): [10.3847/25c2cfeb.cd8ea952]

Ahrens, C. 2021. The Need for a Facility to Understand Volatile Ice Rheology Vol. 53, Issue 4 (Planetary/Astrobiology Decadal Survey Whitepapers) 53 (4): [10.3847/25c2cfeb.9142aecb]

Ahrens, C., C. Lisse, M. Zemcov, and K. Runyon. 2021. Spectral Science Priorities for an Infrared Spectrometer with Interstellar Probe Vol. 53, Issue 4 (Planetary/Astrobiology Decadal Survey Whitepapers) 53 (4): [10.3847/25c2cfeb.befe29ef]

Ahrens, C., M. E. Banks, and N. E. Petro. 2021. The Spatial Relationship of Graben and Pit Craters at Rimae Daniell and the Implications of Scarp Formation 52nd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, held virtually, 15-19 March, 2021. LPI Contribution No. 2548, id.1481

Ahrens, C., N. E. Petro, and S. Li. 2021. Preliminary Observations on the Relationship Between Fe-Signatures and PSR Locations at the Lunar South Pole 52nd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, held virtually, 15-19 March, 2021. LPI Contribution No. 2548, id.1478

Ahrens, C., N. E. Petro, and M. Siegler. 2020. Preliminary Surface Thermal Flux Calculations Using LRO Diviner in Lunar Permanently Shadowed Craters Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 51 1949

Maynard-Casely, H., C. Ahrens, H. Brand, and J. Hester. 2019. Thinking outside the 'ice' box; grain size changes of solid nitrogen and its effects on the surface of Pluto EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting 2019 EPSC-DPS2019-201

Ahrens, C., P. Byrne, and V. Chevrier. 2019. Characterizing Faults Across the Surface of Pluto Pluto System After New Horizons 7036

Ahrens, C., O. Umurhan, and V. Chevrier. 2019. Overview of Thermal and Rheological Properties of Ices on Pluto and Other Bodies of the Outer Solar System Pluto System After New Horizons 7033

Izenberg, N., P. Byrne, F. Calef, et al. D. Rothery, D. Pegg, and C. Ahrens. 2019. Collisional Terminology For Cold Classical KBOs Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 50 1248

Czaplinski, E., C. Ahrens, and V. Chevrier. 2019. Comparative Morphologies Between Dune Slope Streaks and Recurring Slope Lineae on Mars Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 50 1160

Ahrens, C., and V. Chevrier. 2018. Spectral Characteristics of Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen, Methane Mixtures in Simulated Pluto Conditions Experimental Analysis of the Outer Solar System Workshop 3006

Ahrens, C., and V. Chevrier. 2018. Potential Mud Volcanism Type Processes on Pluto Cryovolcanism in the Solar System Workshop 2003

Ahrens, C., and V. Chevrier. 2018. Spectral Characteristics of Carbon Monoxide in Nitrogen and Methane Mixtures in Simulated Pluto Conditions Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 49 [2833]

Czaplinski, E., C. Ahrens, B. Horgan, and V. Chevrier. 2017. Dune Slipface Feature Morphologies and Their Relationship to Mineralogy Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 48 2049

Knightly, J., C. Ahrens, and V. Chevrier. 2017. Geomorphological Characteristics of a Low-Albedo Feature in Utopia Planitia, Mars Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 48 2008

Ahrens, C., and V. Chevrier. 2017. Investigating a Cryovolcanic Collapse Feature in Cthulhu Region, Pluto Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 48 1351

Ahrens, C., and T. Titus. 2014. An Assessment of the Reliability of Mineral Abundance Estimates Derived from TES Data over Dune Sites Eighth International Conference on Mars 1012

Ahrens, C., and T. Titus. 2013. Mineral Analysis of Martian Dunes: Sediment Composition of Martian Dune Fields Using the Thermal Emission Spectrometer Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 44 2096

Talks, Presentations and Posters


Invited

Bringing the Perseverance Mission to the Blind and Deaf Communities

May 2022

National Informal STEM Education (NISE) Network April Convention


THE STEM GAP: WOMEN & GIRLS IN SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

April 31, 2022

2022 Murthy/Reihl Global Education Leadership Lecture, Community College of Baltimore County


Blind and Deaf Accessibility in Space Science Outreach Resources

1, 2021

Invited speaker for SMD's Science Activation 2021 Program and Diversability panelist


Ins and Outs of Cryovolcanism

July 28, 2021

Virtual seminar keynote to the D'Annunzio University of Chieti–Pescara Geology Department


Exploring the Flavors of Cryovolcanism

July 14, 2021

Seminar: Center for Earth and Planetary Studies, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution


Geology and Geophysics of Pluto

March 1, 2021

UC Santa Cruz Planetary Lunch Seminar Speaker (virtual)


Shake, Rattle & Roll: Seismology of the Solar System

February 15, 2021

Astronomical League Winter Star Party (virtual)


in A World...A Hollywood View of Planets

December 14, 2020

National Capital Area Skeptics (virtual speaker)


Pluto: From the Lab to the Maps

August 18, 2019

Howard Astronomical League, Maryland


InOMN 2018

November 20, 2018

Fayetteville Public Library


Space Volcanoes!

February 31, 2018

Fayetteville Public Library


Green Bank Star Quest (regular speaker)

2016

Regular speaker and occasional keynote (2016-present)


Other

Penetrator Science Objectives for the Moon and Artemis

October 2022

19th International Planetary Probes Workshop 2022 presentation


Lunar Science using Penetrators: Objectives and Concepts

August 2022

Poster presentation at the 2022 NASA Exploration Science Forum (virtual)


Shedding Light on the Darkness: Diversity of Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSRs) at the Lunar South Pole

August 2021

Presentation at the 2021 NASA Exploration Science Forum (virtual)


Ices in the Solar System (ESA/ESAC) Madrid, Spain

February 2017

Speaker and Session Chair


Selected Public Outreach


Sun, Moon, Starlore

December 2018 - December 2018

Museum of Native American History (MONAH), Bentonville, AR


Meteorites of Arkansas and the World

October 2019 - October 2019

University of Arkansas Museum Invited Speaker


Gardening in Space

February 2021 - February 2021

WV Master Gardeners Seminar Speaker


NASA Solar System Ambassador Events

2017 - Present

If you are interested in events I have been involved with through the NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassadors Program


Exploration of Jupiter’s moons : an example of American-European collaboration

May 2022 - May 2022

"To promote our Café des Sciences for the Science and Technology at the Consulate of France in Los Angeles, Dr. Caitlin Ahrens, NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow, gave us insights into Jupiter in Native American Culture, and into how indigenous’ Astro-knowledge has enriched today’s Space sciences." (Video/podcast presentation)