Jim Bell
Biography
Jim Bell is a planetary scientist, educator, author, public speaker, and President of The Planetary Society. He works at Arizona State University and is heavily involved in NASA solar system exploration missions like those of the Mars rovers Spirit, Opportunity, and Curiosity. In 2011 he received the Carl Sagan Medal for Excellence in Public Communication from the American Astronomical Society. He is an avid writer for space-related magazines and blogs, and often appears in media interviews on space-related topics (check out Jim Bell's YouTube channel). His popular science and space photography books include Postcards from Mars(Dutton, 2006), Mars 3-D (Sterling, 2008), Moon 3-D (Sterling, 2009), The Space Book (Sterling, 2013) and most recently, The Interstellar Age (Dutton, 2015). Jim is a Professor in the School of Earth and Space Exploration at ASU and is also an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Astronomy at Cornell University.
Education
- Ph.D.: 1992, University of Hawaii at Manoa; Planetary Geosciences
- M.S.: 1989, University of Hawaii at Manoa; Geology and Geophysics
- B.S.: 1987, California Institute of Technology; Planetary Science and Aeronautics
Research
- Surface composition and geology of terrestrial planets, moons, asteroids, comets
- Spacecraft instrumentation and operations (multispectral imaging and spectroscopy)
- Reflectance & emittance spectroscopy (telescopic, laboratory, spacecraft)
- Image processing and data reduction/calibration/analysis (telescopic, spacecraft)
Research Activity:
- Hardgrove,Craig J*, Barnaby,Hugh James, Bell III,James. Next Generation Neutron and Gamma-Ray Spectrometer for Planetary Spacecraft. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(8/20/2015 - 8/19/2018).
- Finn,Edward Frederick*, Finn,Edward Frederick*, Bell III,James, Miller,Clark Anson, Wylie,Ruth. Narrative Projections for Commercial Space Futures. NASA(7/1/2015 - 6/30/2016).
- Bell III,James*. Mastcam-Z: A Geologic Stereoscopic and Multispectral Investigation for the NASA Mars-2020 Rover Mission. JPL(8/26/2014 - 10/31/2016).
- Bell III,James*. Planetary Robotics Vision Data Exploration (PRoViDE). (2/1/2014 - 12/31/2015).
- Bell III,James*, Asphaug,Erik, Saripalli,Srikanth. Student Led Design of Scientific Investigations for Small Body Exploration with Nanosats. JPL(11/6/2013 - 9/28/2014).
- Bell III,James*. Technology Development for a Topographic Imager on the NASA Europa Clipper Mission. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(9/1/2013 - 8/31/2015).
- Bell III,James*. Reconstructing the Tectonic Evolution of the Moon- Student: Nathan Williams. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(9/1/2012 - 8/31/2015).
- Bell III,James*, Finn,Edward Frederick. Imaging and Spectroscopic Studies of the Martian Surface. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(5/16/2012 - 5/15/2016).
- Bell III,James*. MINERALOGIC AND MORPHOLOGIC ANALYSIS OF THE MOON DURING LRO OPERATIONS. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(5/8/2012 - 5/7/2015).
- Bell III,James*. Mineralogic and Morphologic Studies of Mars and Implications for Observed Water-Rock Interactions. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(3/17/2011 - 3/16/2013).
- Saripalli,Srikanth*, Bell III,James. A High Resolution Short-Wave Near IR Imager for the Ames K-10 Rover. SGT(1/12/2011 - 5/31/2013).
- Bell III,James*. MSL Mastcam MAHLI MARDI Science Team Co-I Research. MALIN SPACE(1/1/2011 - 9/30/2016).
- Bell III,James*. Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter MARCI and CTX Team Co-I Activities. MALIN SPACE(1/1/2011 - 11/30/2014).
- Bell III,James*, Greeley,Ronald. NESSF: Onboard event and feature detection to enhance science for a potential Europa flagship mission (Melissa Bunte). NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(9/1/2010 - 8/31/2015).
http://molokai.sese.asu.edu/~jimbo/Bell_Pubs.pdf
Teaching
Fall 2021
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SES 107 | Journey Through Solar System |
| SES 191 | First-Year Seminar |
| SES 494 | Special Topics |
| SES 592 | Research |
| SES 598 | Special Topics |
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
Public Work
- Contributing Editor, Sky & Telescope magazine, 2011-
- Consulting Editor, Icarus, 2011-
- Editor, Icarus (International Journal of Solar System Studies), 1998-2010
- Consulting Editor, Cambridge University Press Planetary Science book series, 2002-
- Eos Planetary Sciences Editor, AGU Weekly newspaper, 1997-1999
- American Astronomical Society (Division for Planetary Sciences)
- American Geophysical Union (Planetary Sciences Section)
- International Astronomical Union
- American Association for the Advancement of Science
- Geologic Society of America (Planetary Sciences Div.)
- The Planetary Society (President: Board of Directors; 2008-)
Study Team Member, "Space Science Opportunities Augmented by Exploration Telepresence", Keck Institute for Space Studies, 2016-2017
Member, NASA Mars International Collaboration Science Analysis Group, 2016
Member, NASA Chief Scientist's Office Citizen Science Advisory Forum, 2016
Member, NASA Human Exploration Mission Directorate (HEOMD) Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM) Formulation Assessment and Support Team (FAST), 2015
Member, Science Definition Team for the NASA Mars-2020 Rover mission, 2013
Study Team Member, In Situ Instrumentation for Primitive Bodies, Keck Institute for Space Studies, 2012
Organizing Committee, International Space Science Institute, Quantifying the Martian Geochemical Reservoirs; Workshop and Book, 2011-2012
Member, Mars Science Laboratory Participating Scientist Review Panel, 2011
Member, NASA ROSES Education and Outreach Review Panel, 2010-2011
Contributing Editor, Sky & Telescope magazine, 2011-
Consulting Editor, Icarus, 2011-
Member, NASA/JPL Mars Critical Data Products Program Review Panel, 2011
Chair, NASA Lunar Science Institute Review Panel, 2008
Member, Committee on the Review of Planetary Protection Requirements for Mars Sample Return Missions; National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences, 2008
Member then Chair, AAS/DPS Federal Relations Subcommittee, 2006-2008; 2008-2010
Member, NASA Planetary Data System Geosciences Node Advisory Group, 2008-
Member, National Academy of Sciences Committee on the Review of Planetary Protection Requirements for Mars Sample Return Missions, 2008
Local Organizing Committee Co-Chair, 2008 AAS/DPS Conference, Ithaca
Member, NASA Mars Instrument Development Program Review Panel, 2007
Elected to AAS/DPS Committee, 2004-2006
Chair, NASA Mars Fundamental Research Program Review Panel, 2005
Editor, Icarus (International Journal of Solar System Studies), 1998-2010
Consulting Editor, Cambridge University Press Planetary Science book series, 2002-
NSF Planetary Astronomy Review panel, 2003
Group Chief, NASA Mars Scout '07 mission Review Panel, 2002
Group Chief, NASA Planetary Geology & Geophysics Review Panel, 2001-2002
Hubble Space Telescope Cycle 10 Review Panel (Solar System Committee), 2000
Group Chief, NASA Mars Data Analysis Program Review Panel, 2000
Member, NASA Planetary Astronomy NEO Program Review Panel, 2000
Program Committee Member, AAS/DPS annual meeting, Pasadena CA, 2000
Member, Italian Space Agency/NASA 2003 Mars Lander Instrument Review Panel, 1999
Member, NASA Mars Exploration Program Assessment Group (MEPAG), 1999-
Chair, NASA Mars-98 Participating Scientist Program Review Panel, 1999
Member, AAS Working Group on Professional-Amateur Collaboration, 1999-
Group Chief, NASA Mars Data Analysis Program Review Panel, 1998
Member, NASA Planetary Geology & Geophysics Program Review Panel, 1998
NASA Planetary Astronomy Program Management Operations Working Group, 1996-98
Eos Planetary Sciences Editor, AGU Weekly newspaper, 1997-1999
Member, NASA Mars Science Working Group (MarsSWG), 1996-1997
Member, SIRTF Solar System Working Group, 1996-
Member, SIRTF Large Projects/Survey Working Group, 1995-96
National Research Council Panel on Reducing Space Science Mission Costs, 1996
NASA Planetary Instrument Definition and Development Program Review Panel, 1995
Hubble Space Telescope Cycle 6 Review Panel (Solar System Committee), 1995
NASA Discovery Missions and Planetary Astronomy Review Panels, 1994
Lunar and Planetary Science Conference Program Committee, 1994-1995
Member, NASA MSATT, MECA, MEVTV, and MSATT Study Groups, 1988-1993
Expertise Areas:
- Member, Barrett Honors College, ASU
- Adjunct Professor, Dept. of Astronomy, Cornell University
Since 2013: Distinguished Visiting Scientist, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory/Caltech
Since 2011: Professor, Honors Faculty, School of Earth & Space Exploration, ASU
Since 2011: Adjunct Professor, Department of Astronomy, Cornell University
2009-2010: Professor, Department of Astronomy, Cornell University
2003-2008: Associate Professor, Department of Astronomy, Cornell University
2005: Visiting Scientist, CNRS/Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, Toulouse, France
1998-2003: Assistant Professor, Department of Astronomy, Cornell University
1997 to 1998: Senior Research Associate, Department of Astronomy, Cornell
1995 to 1997: Research Associate, Department of Astronomy, Cornell
1994 to 1995: Postdoctoral Research Assistant, U. Washington Remote Sensing Lab
1992 to 1994: NRC Postdoctoral Research Fellow, NASA Ames Research Center.
1989 to 1992: NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program Fellow, NASA/JSC
1987 to 1989: Graduate student researcher, U. Hawaii Planetary Geosciences Dept.
1983 to 1987: Undergraduate researcher, Caltech Department of Planetary Sciences