A Legacy of Research, Education, and Outreach

For nearly three decades, the Planetary Geosciences Institute (PGI) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, was a center of excellence for planetary science research, education, and outreach. Established in 1993, PGI fostered collaboration among faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and students while cultivating strong partnerships with NASA, NSF, and institutions across the country. Throughout its duration, PGI’s faculty and researchers secured many millions of dollars in external funding, producing high-impact publications and advancing knowledge in lunar and Martian geology, asteroid studies, and planetary materials research. The institute also enriched student learning through lunchtime seminars, research awards, and participation in the NASA-funded Tennessee Space Grant Consortium. In the greater Knoxville area, PGI played a vital role in community engagement, helping establish the creation of the UT Earth & Space Sciences Planetarium in 2013. These initiatives provided invaluable resources for educators and inspired public interest in planetary science.

Honoring Professor Larry Taylor

No remembrance of PGI would be complete without acknowledging the profound impact of Professor Larry Taylor, whose leadership and passion for planetary science were instrumental in shaping the institute. As a member of the Apollo program’s science team, Larry played a crucial role in analyzing lunar samples and deepening our understanding of the Moon’s geology. His friendship with Apollo 17 astronaut and geologist Jack Schmitt, the only scientist to walk on the lunar surface, was a testament to his dedication to lunar exploration and scientific discovery.

Photo: Professor Larry Taylor (left) with Apollo 17 astronaut Jack Schmitt (right) at an outreach event at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Carrying the Legacy Forward

While PGI’s formal chapter has closed, its spirit lives on in the newly established Center for Planetary Science and Exploration (CPSE). CPSE builds on PGI’s legacy by uniting experts in science, engineering, and education to advance knowledge, exploration, and education about the solar system. Through this work, CPSE continues the tradition of excellence in planetary science at the University of Tennessee, ensuring that the impact of PGI and Professor Taylor’s vision endures for future generations.

Photo: Students, faculty, and research staff in the newly formed Center for Planetary Science and Exploration.