Robin M. Canup

Executive Director

Boulder Office/Planetary Science Directorate
Space Science and Engineering Division

B.S. in Physics, Duke University
Ph.D. in Astrophysics, Planetary and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Colorado.

Dr. Canup joined the Department of Space Studies at Southwest Research Institute in 1998. Her main research areas are the origins of planets and satellites. Dr. Canup utilizes analytical and numerical methods to describe the dynamical evolution of systems of circumplanetary or circumsolar material. She is a Principal Investigator in NASA's "Origins of Solar Systems", “Planetary Geology and Geophysics” and “Outer Planets Fundamental Research” programs and NSF's "Planetary Astronomy" program.

Dr. Canup's recent research projects address:

  • The formation and early evolution of the Earth/Moon system in the "Giant-Impact" scenario
  • Large-scale planetary collision modeling
  • Formation of gas planet satellite systems
  • The late stages of terrestrial planet formation

Downloadable images and animations of potential lunar-forming impacts (from Canup 2004, Icarus)
Downloadable reprints and preprints
Curriculum Vitae

E-mail address: robin@boulder.swri.edu
Phone: (303) 546-6856