Do Habitable Worlds Require Magnetic Fields? (MACH Center)

The NASA Heliophysics' DRIVE Center, MACH (Magnetic fields, Atmospheres, and the Connection to Habitability) brings together a scientifically diverse team to tackle this question. This Phase I effort is focused on constructing tools using observations, computer simulations, and theory to evaluate the influence of a global magnetic field on the escape of charged particles, with emphasis on Venus, Earth and Mars. The program is developed through a partnership between the University of Colorado (PI institution), Sonoma State University, the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Kansas.  SSU leads the MACH Center's broadening impact activities: team website; reducing gender bias and sexism; diversity, equity, & inclusion plan development; undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral support; and think tank to explore innovative activities to broaden the impact of the center. SSU students support the broadening impact activities and have opportunities to join the MACH Center science team efforts. For more information, please go to https://mach-center.org.