Next Up on 13: Hitching a Ride to the Moon

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On the latest episode of 13, explore the cosmos with Associate Professor of Physics Jonathan Levine. Professor Levine shares his journey from his childhood interests in astronomy to his work on an upcoming 2027 lunar research mission through NASA’s recurring Payloads and Research Investigations on the Surface of the Moon (PRISM) program. 

Levine’s professional interests are centered on the physics of the planets, planetary materials, and interactions between the Earth and its environment in space. His experimental work has included analyses of lunar samples collected by the Apollo astronauts, meteorites, presolar mineral grains, and interplanetary dust.  

He teaches courses in the traditional physics and astronomy curriculum, such as Introduction to Mechanics (PHYS 232) and Solar System Astronomy (ASTR 101), and also courses that draw heavily on his research themes, such as Planetary Science (ASTR 313) and a Core Sciences course on the atmosphere (Core 166S). Levine also works with the Benton Scholars at Colgate and discusses some of the exciting work being done by students in that program.

Levine earned bachelor’s degrees from Cornell University and Oxford University and both his master’s and PhD from the University of California, Berkeley. 

Each episode of 13, Colgate’s award-winning podcast, digs into the work of a University community member by asking questions. Episodes highlight the wide array of academic disciplines at Colgate, with interviews featuring faculty from political science, sociology and anthropology, physics and astronomy, women’s studies, English, Africana and Latin American studies, and many more.

Find 13 on your favorite podcast platform, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.