Gordon Osinski
Planetary Geology / Earth and Planetary Materials
Assistant Professor
Office: BGS 1000D
Phone: 519-661-2111 x.84208
Fax: 519-661-3198
Email: gosinski@uwo.ca
Curriculum Vitae
Research Interests
Dr. Osinski's research interests are diverse and interdisciplinary in nature. His work synthesizes field, remote sensing, and laboratory observations with a range of geochemical data. His current research falls into two main areas: planetary geology – which includes planetary surface processes and planetary materials – and astrobiology. He approaches planetary geology with the fundamental view that interpretations of other planetary bodies must begin by using the Earth as a reference. In addition, he is also interested in developing technologies and techniques for human and robotic surface operations on the Moon and Mars. Examples of current research projects include:
- Petrology of impact-metamorphosed materials and the geology of meteorite impact structures (including the tectonics of impact crater formation, the generation of impact melts, emplacement of ejecta, impact-induced hydrothermal activity, and intra-crater sedimentary deposits) on the Earth, Moon and Mars.
- Planetary surface processes, in particular the development of periglacial landforms, gullies, and valley networks in the Canadian Arctic, and analogous environments on Mars.
- Origin and classification of impact melt-bearing meteorites, of asteroidal and lunar origin.
- Origin and evolution of life on Earth and the search for life elsewhere in the Solar System.
Selected Publications
Osinski G. R., Lee P., Cockell C. S., Snook K., Lim D. S. S., and Braham S. 2009. Field geology on the Moon: Some lessons learned from the exploration of the Haughton impact structure, Devon Island, Canadian High Arctic. Planetary and Space Science doi:10.1016/j.pss.2009.10.004.
Osinski G. R., Barfoot T. D., Ghafoor N., Izawa M., Banerjee N., Jasiobedzki P., Tripp J., Richards R., Auclair S., Sapers H., Thomson L., and Flemming R. 2009. Lidar and the mobile Scene Modeler (mSM) as scientific tools for planetary exploration. Planetary and Space Science doi:10.1016/ j.pss.2009.08.004.
Soare R. J. and Osinski G. R. 2009. Stratigraphical evidence of late Amazonian periglaciation and glaciation in the Astapus Colles region of Mars. Icarus 202:17–21.
Osinski G. R., Grieve R. A. F., Collins G. S., Marion C., and Sylvester P. 2008. The effect of target lithology on the products of impact melting. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 43:12:1939–1954.
Osinski G. R., Schwarcz H. P., Smith J., Kleindienst M. R., Haldemann A. F. C., and Churcher C. S. 2007. Evidence for a 100–200 ka meteorite impact in Western Egypt. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 253:3–4:378–388.
Courses Taught
Earth Sciences 1023a: Planet Earth: Shaken and Stirred
Earth Sciences 2123a: The Dynamic Earth
Earth Sciences 2250Y: Introductory Field Mapping Techniques
Planetary Science 9500Y & 9600Y: M.Sc. and Ph.D. Planetary Science Seminar Course
Planetary Science 9601: Impact Cratering: Processes and Products
Earth Sciences 2123a: The Dynamic Earth
Earth Sciences 2250Y: Introductory Field Mapping Techniques
Planetary Science 9500Y & 9600Y: M.Sc. and Ph.D. Planetary Science Seminar Course
Planetary Science 9601: Impact Cratering: Processes and Products
Students and Post-Doctoral Fellows
05/2009 – present Radu-Dan Capitan, Post-Doctoral Fellow
04/2009 – present Ludovic Ferriere, Post-Doctoral Fellow
02/2009 – present Louisa Preston, Post-Doctoral Fellow
12/2008 – present Irene Antonenko, Post-Doctoral Fellow
09/2009 – present Alexandra Pontefract, Ph.D. Thesis
09/2009 – present Marianne Mader, Ph.D. Thesis
09/2009 – present Laura Thomson, M.Sc. Thesis
09/2009 – present Troy Unrau, M.Sc. Thesis
01/2009 – present Rod Dammeier, M.Sc. Thesis
09/2008 – present Melissa Battler, Ph.D. Thesis
09/2008 – present Michael Craig, M.Sc. Thesis
09/2008 – present Geoffrey Pearce, M.Sc. Thesis
09/2008 – present Haley Sapers, Ph.D. Thesis
09/2008 – present Bhairavi Shankar, Ph.D. Thesis
09/2008 – present Dominic Veillette, M.Sc. Thesis
05/2008 – present Alaura Singleton, M.Sc. Thesis
09/2007 – present Simon Auclair, M.Sc. Thesis
Dr. Osinski currently has openings for M.Sc. and Ph.D. students interested in studying various aspects of meteorite impact craters, comparative planetary geology (using terrestrial analogues to better interpret the observed geological attributes of Mars and other planetary bodies), and analysis of planetary materials, including meteorites.
04/2009 – present Ludovic Ferriere, Post-Doctoral Fellow
02/2009 – present Louisa Preston, Post-Doctoral Fellow
12/2008 – present Irene Antonenko, Post-Doctoral Fellow
09/2009 – present Alexandra Pontefract, Ph.D. Thesis
09/2009 – present Marianne Mader, Ph.D. Thesis
09/2009 – present Laura Thomson, M.Sc. Thesis
09/2009 – present Troy Unrau, M.Sc. Thesis
01/2009 – present Rod Dammeier, M.Sc. Thesis
09/2008 – present Melissa Battler, Ph.D. Thesis
09/2008 – present Michael Craig, M.Sc. Thesis
09/2008 – present Geoffrey Pearce, M.Sc. Thesis
09/2008 – present Haley Sapers, Ph.D. Thesis
09/2008 – present Bhairavi Shankar, Ph.D. Thesis
09/2008 – present Dominic Veillette, M.Sc. Thesis
05/2008 – present Alaura Singleton, M.Sc. Thesis
09/2007 – present Simon Auclair, M.Sc. Thesis
Dr. Osinski currently has openings for M.Sc. and Ph.D. students interested in studying various aspects of meteorite impact craters, comparative planetary geology (using terrestrial analogues to better interpret the observed geological attributes of Mars and other planetary bodies), and analysis of planetary materials, including meteorites.
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