Theme 1
Earth
Advanced seismic observations and new analysis techniques to resolve the deepest structures of the Earth's inner and outer core.
The fellowship
What lies at the heart of planets?
Planetary cores govern magnetic fields, thermal evolution and habitability, yet remain among the least understood regions of any world.
Grand challenge
How do planetary cores generate and sustain magnetic fields and conditions for life billions of years?
By pushing seismic imaging to the limits, this program interrogates planetary cores at unprecedented resolution across Earth, the Moon, Mars, and icy moons.
Vision
Echoes from the Planetary Cores across Earth, the Moon, Mars, and icy moons.
The fellowship builds an integrated seismic–geodynamic framework that links core structure, dynamics and magnetic field generation from Earth to the Moon, Mars and icy moons.
Research themes
Earth, Moon, Mars, icy moons
Four interconnected themes focus on seismic echoes from the cores of Earth, the Moon, Mars, and icy moons.
Theme 2
The Moon
Illuminating the lunar core and deep interior to understand the Moon's thermal evolution and its magnetic history.
Theme 3
Mars
Using seismic data to probe Mars' core, crust and mantle to reveal dynamo evolution and its present-day interior structure.
Theme 4
Icy moons
Exploring the cores and deep oceans of icy moons to assess long-term habitability and guide future planetary missions.
Why this matters
Impact beyond seismology
Outcomes will support space agencies, scientific institutions and industry, reinforcing Australia's leadership in Earth and planetary sciences.
Magnetic fields
Constraining how planetary dynamos start, evolve and shut down, and why some worlds retain global magnetic shields.
Habitability
Connecting deep interior processes to surface conditions, atmospheric loss and prospects for sustaining life.
Space exploration
Providing core and mantle constraints that sharpen landing‑site selection and mission design for lunar and planetary probes.
National capability
Training specialists at the seismology–planetary–data interface and building strategic capability for Australia's space and resource sectors.
Team access
Resource Hub
A private workspace for current members of the Echoes from the Planetary Cores team.
ANU team members
Team Resource Hub
Current members of the Echoes from the Planetary Cores team can access shared resources, onboarding information, meeting materials, templates and collaborative documents through the private Resource Hub.