European Geosciences Union
Division on Planetary and Solar System Sciences
President: Anezina Solomonidou
(Emailps@egu.eu)
Deputy President: Joana S. Oliveira
(Email)
ECS Representative: Salvatore Buoninfante
(Emailecs-ps@egu.eu)
The aim of the Planetary & Solar System Sciences (PS) Division is the promotion of all fields of planetary sciences, ground-based and space mission exploration of the solar system and beyond, and related models. PS covers papers on both fundamental and applied topics regarding the exploration of the solar system. The division, devoted to science applications in space, hosts interdisciplinary contributions on the origins and the evolution of the solar system and the exoplanetary systems, as well as ideas for future exploration while largely contributing to outreach and educational activities for all audiences.
The 2026 David Bates Medal is awarded to Patrick Irwin for outstanding contributions to the study of giant planet atmospheres, together with exemplary commitment to mentoring, community building, and open science.
The 2026 Division Outstanding Early Career Scientist Award is awarded to Hamish C.F.C. Hay for pioneering work on tidal dissipation and ocean–ice coupling in icy moons, advancing our understanding of internal heating, ocean dynamics, and the habitability of ocean worlds.
The 2025 Runcorn-Florensky Medal is awarded to Cathy Quantin Nataf for groundbreaking contributions to the geology of ancient Mars through her research on sedimentary records and erosional history, and for her pivotal roles in the Mars 2020 and Exomars missions.
The 2025 Division Outstanding Early Career Scientist Award is awarded to Shangchun Teng for outstanding contributions to the understanding of plasma wave generation and wave-particle interactions in planetary space plasmas.
The 2025 Outstanding Student and PhD candidate Presentation (OSPP) Award is awarded to Gerlinde Timmermann Influence of sensor noise levels on magnetometer calibration
In our February issue, we are following pioneering scientists into extreme places in the name of discovery, from a day-in-the-life of an Antarctic researcher working on the sea ice to how the Viking spaceships took space plasma from theory to observation. Marie Cavitte shares her experience of the Blue Book traineeship in science for policy and Elsa Abs talks about their work with soil microbes. EGU's President thanks our 12,000 volunteers from 2025 and we share the 24 training schools and member-organised meetings we have funded in 2026. Deadlines approach for the EGU26 photo competition and Early-bird registration fees, and there is a job vacancy in the EGU Executive office in Munich, Germany!
All this and much more, in this month's Loupe!