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.
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.
•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.
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
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
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
West Virginia University Physics & Astronomy Department Visiting Committee Member (2021-present)
NASA Planetary Science Summer School (PSSS) (2021), Role: PI
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, ISBN: 978-3-030-84102-7.
Ahrens, C., and G. Leone. 2021. "Petrologic evolution of Martian volcanism and clues from meteorites." Mars: A Volcanic World, ISBN: 978-3-030-84102-7.
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]
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.
Bringing the Perseverance Mission to the Blind and Deaf Communities
4 / 2022National Informal STEM Education (NISE) Network April Convention
THE STEM GAP: WOMEN & GIRLS IN SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
3 / 31 / 20222022 Murthy/Reihl Global Education Leadership Lecture, Community College of Baltimore County
Blind and Deaf Accessibility in Space Science Outreach Resources
12 / 1 / 2021Invited speaker for SMD's Science Activation 2021 Program and Diversability panelist
Ins and Outs of Cryovolcanism
6 / 28 / 2021Virtual seminar keynote to the D'Annunzio University of Chieti–Pescara Geology Department
Exploring the Flavors of Cryovolcanism
6 / 14 / 2021Seminar: Center for Earth and Planetary Studies, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution
Geology and Geophysics of Pluto
2 / 1 / 2021UC Santa Cruz Planetary Lunch Seminar Speaker (virtual)
Shake, Rattle & Roll: Seismology of the Solar System
1 / 15 / 2021Astronomical League Winter Star Party (virtual)
in A World...A Hollywood View of Planets
11 / 14 / 2020National Capital Area Skeptics (virtual speaker)
Pluto: From the Lab to the Maps
7 / 18 / 2019Howard Astronomical League, Maryland
InOMN 2018
10 / 20 / 2018Fayetteville Public Library
Space Volcanoes!
1 / 31 / 2018Fayetteville Public Library
Green Bank Star Quest (regular speaker)
2016Regular speaker and occasional keynote (2016-present)
Penetrator Science Objectives for the Moon and Artemis
9 / 202219th International Planetary Probes Workshop 2022 presentation
Lunar Science using Penetrators: Objectives and Concepts
7 / 2022Poster 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
7 / 2021Presentation at the 2021 NASA Exploration Science Forum (virtual)
Ices in the Solar System (ESA/ESAC) Madrid, Spain
1 / 2017Speaker and Session Chair
Museum of Native American History (MONAH), Bentonville, AR
University of Arkansas Museum Invited Speaker
WV Master Gardeners Seminar Speaker
If you are interested in events I have been involved with through the NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassadors Program
"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)
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.
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]
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 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