Solar System Science

Fernando B. Figueiredo (b. 1970) has a degree in Physics and Applied Mathematics from Porto University and an MSc in History and Philosophy of Science from Nova University of Lisbon. He got his PhD in Mathematics from Coimbra University. His research interests are history of astronomy and mathematics, history of instruments, biography and history of the relationship between culture, politics; and science in the Enlightenment and Empire. He has a deep interest in the history and heritage of 18th-century astronomy, observatory sciences, and the circulation of knowledge in 18th-century Europe (center-periphery exchanges and dichotomies). Recently his interests evolved into the 19th-century observatory sciences and physical-mathematical sciences (astronomy, geodesy, meteorology, geomagnetism and seismology). He is PI of the research project, «150 years of the scientific activity of the Geophysical Institute of the University of Coimbra: history and heritage of the Earth and Environment Sciences in Portugal» (PTDC\FER-HFC\30666\2017), financed by FCT (2018-22). The primary purpose of the project is to contribute to an in-depth and multifaceted view of the scientific and institutional history of space and earth observatories of the Coimbra University at the national and international levels. He was coordinator of the Centre for Earth and Space Research of the University of Coimbra (since 2019-21).

Álvaro Folhas has a degree in Analytical Chemistry from University of Aveiro and an Master in Education in Physics from Nova University of Lisbon. He is a secondary school teacher in statutory secondment at NUCLIO - Interactive Center for Astronomy and Innovation in Education and teacher trainer in the domains of Astronomy, Didactics and Educational Technology. He is a PhD student at the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of Coimbra, investigating the use of Astronomy as a lever for interdisciplinarity in Science Education, being also a delegate of doctoral students on the Scientific Committee of the Centre for Earth and Space Research of the University of Coimbra (since 2022-23). He’s a member of the Editorial Board of APEduC Revista – Investigation and Practices in Education in Science, Mathematics and Technology (ISSN: 2184-7436) and reviewer from the International Journal of Secondary Education (ISSN:2376-7464). He uses new teaching approaches with his students, such as the use of robotic telescopes in school for scientific projects with their students, and participate in many international science teaching projects.

Carlos Moura Martins is Assistant Professor in the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of Coimbra (UC), where he has taught since 1999. Graduated in Architecture in the Faculty of Architecture of the University Porto (1986), he holds a PhD in Architecture from the University of Coimbra with a thesis on public works in Portugal in late eighteenth century, awarded with the Pina Manique International Research Prize (Academia Portuguesa da História). He is author of the book Os projectos para o porto de São Martinho e campos de Alfeizerão, 1774-1800 (Coimbra: Edarq, 2018) and of the book chapter “A aplicação da ciência à política do território na transição do século XVIII para o século XIX” (Coimbra: Coimbra University Press, 2017). His main research interests are the technical and scientific activity and teaching and research institutions of the Enlightenment.

I am currently developing new tools to assist in the analysis of several types of geomorphological structures using remote sensing data of planetary surfaces. These tools enable for instance the study of past tectonic and erosive processes on Mars, as well as the analysis of present day aeolian activity at the surface of the planet.

E.I. Alves was director of the Coimbra Geophysical Institute between 2001 and 2012. He was the founder of the Coimbra Centre for Geophysics in 2002, where he was also leader of the Solar System Sciences research group. He is Professor of Geophysics in the Department of Earth Sciences of the University of Coimbra.

Fernando J. G. Pinheiro is a researcher at CITEUC since 2012. He obtained his PhD in Astronomy from Universidade do Porto in 2006. Since then, he has carried out research activity at several research institutions: CAUP, U.C.'s Center for Computational Physics and the Paris Observatory's LESIA laboratory. His fields of expertise include stellar structure and evolution, stellar variability and space weather (actively contributing to CITEUC's SPINLab project). He is a member of the Portuguese Astronomical Society, frequently participating in UC's science popularisation activities, including OGAUC's observation nights and regular outreach articles in the local press.

João Manuel de Morais Barros Fernandes, is Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of Coimbra (UC) since 1999. Graduated in Physics / Applied Mathematics (specialization in Astronomy), University Porto (1991), a PhD in Astrophysics and Space Techniques, University of Paris VII (1996) and habilitation in Physics, University of Coimbra (2014). His areas of research are the formation and evolution of stars, solar physics and the history of astronomy in Portugal. He has published about 90 research papers in international journals and proceedings of scientific conferences and PI of 10 national and international projects. He supervised (or co-supervised) 5 PhD students and 8 pos-docs. He was subdirector of the Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Coimbra, responsible for the Astronomical and Geophysical Observatory of the UC (2013-2018) and coordinator of the Centre for Earth and Space Research of the University of Coimbra (since 2015-2019). Has been active on outreach (mainly giving lectures in schools) and was the single point of national contact for the International Year of Astronomy 2009, by appointment of the International Astronomical Union. Received the "Faces of the Future" distinction of "Vision" magazine in 2013. More information in http://www.mat.uc.pt/~jmfernan .

Teresa Monteiro Seixas, is Assistant Professor (1999-) in the Department of Physics and Astronomy (DFA), Faculty of Science of the University of Porto (FCUP). Graduated in Physics (FCUP, 1987; specialization in Condensed Matter and Materials Science). MSc in Solid State Physics and Materials Science (FCUP, 1990; thesis: Study of structural and magnetic properties of Ce 1-x Gd x Co 2 compounds, 0≤x≤1). PhD in Physics (FCUP, 1999; thesis: Magnetic properties of Ce 1-x Gd x Co 2 compounds, 0≤x≤1). Former member of IFIMUP (1991-2008) and director of Materials Preparation Laboratory of IFIMUP (2002-2008). Co-founder and Coordinator of MSc in Geophysics of University of Porto (2003-2006). Member of CITEUC (2012-). Scientific interests: Geophysics, Planetary Sciences, Mineralogy of asteroids and meteorites, Cooperative learning. Current research areas: Study of Meteorites and Asteroids – modelling of reflectance spectra of meteorites and asteroids and development of a consistent methodology for determination of the mineralogy of asteroids from their reflectance spectra; Rock Physics – simulation of charge generation and transport in rocks under mechanical action; Physics Education – active learning and automatic online assessment. Other activities: FCUP member on coordinating council for C4G (Collaboratory for Geosciences), since 2013; Coordinator of Asteroid Day Portugal (2016-); Co-coordinator of experimental activity of Summer School of Physics (FCUP, 2016-); Co-coordinator of experimental activity in Junior University (FCUP, 2017-).