Jim Bell
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Phone: 480-965-1044
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Mail code: 6004Campus: Tempe
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- Professor, ASU School of Earth and Space Exploration
- Director, ASU Space Technology and Science ("NewSpace") Initiative (http://newspace.asu.edu)
- Chief Scientist, ASU MILO Space Science Institute (http://miloinstitute.org)
Jim Bell is a planetary scientist, educator, author, public speaker, and was President of The Planetary Society from 2008-2020. 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.
Jim is an active public speaker for both public and academic audiences, and as a member of the Penguin author's speaker's bureau, his talks cover a wide variety of space-related topics, with book talks on topics ranging from Exploring Mars with Rovers (Postcards from Mars), Viewing the Solar System in 3-D (Mars 3-D, Moon 3-D), and The Future of Space Exploration (The Space Book, The Interstellar Age), and other public-audience talks related to topics such as The Search for Life in the Universe, The Role of Science and Exploration in Society, and Building Bridges Between Engineers and Scientists.
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
• 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)
- 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).
Courses
2025 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
2024 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 692 | Research |
2024 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 592 | Research |
| SES 592 | Research |
2024 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 107 | A Solar System Journey |
| SES 107 | A Solar System Journey |
2023 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 107 | A Solar System Journey |
| SES 107 | A Solar System Journey |
| SES 494 | Special Topics |
| SES 598 | Special Topics |
2023 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 592 | Research |
| SES 592 | Research |
2023 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 107 | A Solar System Journey |
| SES 107 | A Solar System Journey |
2022 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 592 | Research |
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 494 | Special Topics |
| SES 598 | Special Topics |
2022 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 592 | Research |
| SES 592 | Research |
2022 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 599 | Thesis |
| SES 592 | Research |
| SES 107 | A Solar System Journey |
| SES 107 | A Solar System Journey |
2021 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 592 | Research |
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 494 | Special Topics |
| SES 598 | Special Topics |
| SES 107 | Journey Through Solar System |
| SES 107 | Journey Through Solar System |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
2021 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 592 | Research |
| SES 592 | Research |
2021 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 599 | Thesis |
| SES 592 | Research |
| SES 194 | Special Topics |
| SES 194 | Special Topics |
2020 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 592 | Research |
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 194 | Special Topics |
| SES 194 | Special Topics |
| SES 494 | Special Topics |
| SES 598 | Special Topics |
2020 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 592 | Research |
| SES 592 | Research |
2020 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SES 799 | Dissertation |
| SES 692 | Research |
| SES 792 | Research |
| SES 599 | Thesis |
| SES 592 | Research |
| SES 194 | Special Topics |
| SES 194 | Special Topics |
ASU/SESE "Best Undergraduate Professor" Award (by student vote), 2015-2016
NASA Group Achievement Awards (2), MSL/Curiosity Science Team, 2015-2017
NASA Group Achievement Award, MSL/Curiosity Operations Team, 2013
Carl Sagan Medal for Excellence in Public Communication, AAS/DPS, 2011
NASA Group Achievement Award, MRO MARCI and CTX Science Team, 2011
NASA Group Achievement Award, Phoenix Mission Support Team, 2008
NASA Group Achievement Awards (2), MER 3rd & 4th Extended Missions, 2008
National Academy of Sciences Kavli Fellow, 2007
NASA Group Achievement Award, Mars Odyssey Primary Mission, 2006
National Air and Space Museum Trophy, Mars Exploration Rover Team, 2005
NASA Group Achievement Awards (2), MER 1st, 2nd Extended Missions, 2004-2005
NASA Group Achievement Awards (2), MER Primary Mission, 2004
NASA Group Achievement Award, NEAR/Eros mission, 2001
Awarded asteroid name 8146 Jimbell by the IAU, 1999
Editor's Letter of Commendation, Icarus, 1997
NASA Group Achievement Award, Mars Pathfinder mission, 1997
NASA Group Achievement Award, NEAR/Mathilde flyby, 1997
Editor's Citation for Excellence in Refereeing, J. Geophys. Res., 1996
NASA/National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship, 1992-1994
NASA Graduate Student Researcher's Program Fellowship, 1989-1992
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-)
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
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