Rice University Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences

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06/05/2026

Rice Earth, Environmental and Planetary scientists (EEPS) were the first to probe the meteorite that hit Houston on March 21st.

Thanks to David Gonzales, who donated the type specimen for EEPS to classify, Dr. Gabi Costin had a polished chip in the Electron Probe Microanalyzer within a few days of the fall. Dr. Tao Sun is collecting oxygen isotopes to pinpoint the parent asteroids from which this meteorite belongs.

So far, EEPS scientists have learned:
⛏️The rock belongs to a group of stone meteorites called H-Chondrites
🔥The original asteroid experienced high temperatures & melting

By studying meteorites we can learn the age and composition of different planetary building blocks, and the unique processes that existed during the early history of our Solar System.

To learn more about meteorites, visit: https://naturalhistory.si.edu/education/teaching-resources/earth-science/asteroids-and-meteorites

Rice University - School of Natural Sciences Rice University Gelu Gabi Costin

06/03/2026

Meet Baibhav “Bruu” Srivastava, a PhD student who published an article in Science Advances in October 2025 about his research on chondrites, our solar system, and Jupiter's formation.

To learn more about Bruu’s research: https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/sciadv.ady4823


Rice University - School of Natural Sciences

06/02/2026

Do you know the difference between a meteroid, meteor, and a meteorite?

Short answer:
🌌 Meteoroids are small fragments of an asteroid in space
☄️ Meteors are fiery bits of the meteoroid heated during flight by the Earth's atmosphere
🪨 Meteorites are space rocks that survived the atmospheric journey to Earth's surface.

Houston was recently visited by a type of meteorite that Rice scientists recognized as an early solar system material called a "Chondrite." Hear from Baibhav "Bruu" Srivastava about what a Chondrite is and why they are so special.

Rice University - School of Natural Sciences

06/01/2026

On March 21st, a one meter asteroid exploded resulting in a shower of meteorites that fell over north Houston. Rice Assistant Professor of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences (EEPS), Dr. Bidong Zhang, and EEPS Science writer, Linda Fries, were some of the first people to lay eyes on a pristine piece of our solar system's earliest planetary materials. Rice University scientists, Dr. Tao Sun and Dr. Gelu Costin are analyzing a fragment to determine the meteorite type and its mineral composition.

Enjoy Bruu Srivastava's, EEPS Ph.D student's, reaction to being surprised with an up close visit with the Houston Meteorite.

Rice University - School of Natural Sciences

For Rice's associate professor, Dr. Sylvia Dee, understanding Earth’s past is the key to preparing for its future. By co...
05/28/2026

For Rice's associate professor, Dr. Sylvia Dee, understanding Earth’s past is the key to preparing for its future. By combining climate models with centuries-old natural records, her work uncovers how rainfall, temperatures and extreme weather are shifting in a warming world. From El Niño dynamics to the impacts of extreme heat on public health, Dee’s research strengthens climate predictions and supports communities facing climate risks today.

Rice University Rice University - School of Natural Sciences

Can climate variability influence the risk of armed conflict? Research exploring this question was published in the Proc...
05/25/2026

Can climate variability influence the risk of armed conflict?

Research exploring this question was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on May 11th. The study by Rice statistics doctoral student Tyler Bagwell, with climate scientist Dr. Sylvia Dee and statistician Dr. Frederi Viens, and support from Rice undergraduate students, Divya Saikumar and Anna Stravato uses high-resolution data and empirical modeling to examine how large-scale climate patterns shape the probability of civil conflict and war

Read more: https://news.rice.edu/news/2026/climate-patterns-may-shape-where-violent-conflict-risks-are-amplified-rice-study-finds

“Being able to transition to Rice with a project that will directly support the greater Houston communities is incredibl...
05/22/2026

“Being able to transition to Rice with a project that will directly support the greater Houston communities is incredibly exciting,” Hoffman said. “Using a multifaceted lens, we’ll be able to build models that truly help to increase resiliency and improve flood and sea level responses across the Gulf Coast.”

Read more: https://news.rice.edu/news/2026/new-rice-professor-leads-project-build-more-climate-resilient-gulf-coast

Rice University Rice University - School of Natural Sciences

We already miss our graduates...P.S. No rocks (or benches) were harmed in the making of this photoshoot
05/19/2026

We already miss our graduates...

P.S. No rocks (or benches) were harmed in the making of this photoshoot

Join us in celebrating 2026 graduate, Ainsley Ganti, who is earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Earth, Environment...
05/16/2026

Join us in celebrating 2026 graduate, Ainsley Ganti, who is earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Earth, Environmental and Planetary Science with a minor in French Studies.

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6100 Main Street/MS 126
Houston, TX
77005

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+17133484880

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