Wade G Henning
Assistant Research Scientist
The research of Dr. Wade Henning focuses on the thermal evolution of terrestrial planet interiors. This work encompasses many target objects, including the Earth and Earth's Moon, the terrestrial planets of our Solar System and outer moons. Henning's research acts as a bridge, from the molecular level behavior of planetary materials at high temperatures, to the behavior of global-scale geophysical systems, to the manner by which such activity alters the orbits and long-term orbital evolution of entire planetary systems. This work extends beyond the more familiar worlds of our home system, to the realm of extrasolar planets. As extrasolar planet discovery advances, more and more planets at or below the size of Earth are being identified. Because such worlds are challenging to observe in detail, Henning's research attempts to model the interior dynamics of extrasolar terrestrial planets, in part by reasoning through analogy from similar worlds in our own Solar System.
Research Centers & Collaborations:
Center for Research and Exploration in Space Science and Technology II