- Mon Jun 1 (room reservation 16:00 JST [=UTC+09:00]), ELSI-1 105 Mishima Hall [Seminar] Special Seminar: Kevin Trinh (Caltech) - The Long-Term Evolution of Icy Moons Open to ALL ELSI Title: The Long-Term Evolution of Icy Moons Abstract: Icy moons are central to comparative planetology and astrobiology, thus attracting scientists from many disciplines. Despite decades of research, many studies on the interior evolution and present-day conditions of moons like Europa and Ganymede still assume that these moons formed hot with a metal-sulfide core, similar to Earth. In contrast, numerous formation models suggest that most icy moons accreted cold (i.e., ~a few hundred K), calling for a reevaluation of their long-term evolution. In this talk, I’ll introduce the “cold start” framework for icy moons and discuss its diverse consequences on interior evolution, magnetism, and habitability. Topics will emphasize Europa (Trinh+, 2023. Sci. Adv.) and Ganymede (Trinh+, 2026. Sci. Adv.)—and end with future directions concerning spacecraft missions and other moons. Bio: Kevin Trinh is currently a Melza M. and Frank Theodore Barr Postdoctoral Fellow at the California Institute of Technology. He uses numerical models and fundamental theory to study the structure and evolution of icy-rocky bodies, especially icy moons. He is particularly interested in large-scale processes such as ocean formation, metallic core formation, dynamo activity, (seafloor) volcanism, and ocean-ice shell dynamics—as well as planetary processes that may provide energy and nutrients to life elsewhere. Some of his ongoing projects address: Europa’s surface tectonics, the lunar dynamo, methanogenesis in ocean worlds, and other topics. References: - Trinh+ 2023. Sci. Adv. https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/sciadv.adf3955. - Trinh+ 2026. Sci. Adv. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aed8021. Host: Mohit Melwani Daswani - Wed Jun 3 (room reservation 16:00 JST [=UTC+09:00]), ELSI-1 105 Mishima Hall [Seminar] ELSI Seminar - Brian Hynek Brian Hynek Department of Geological Sciences Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics University of Colorado Boulder, USA Title: History of Water on Mars - Thu Jun 4 (room reservation 15:00 JST [=UTC+09:00]), ELSI-1 207 Seminar Room B [Study Group] Metabolism Hour