Brine stability under Martian conditions.
Deliquescence, transient liquid formation, evaporation and hydration changes under Mars-relevant pressure and temperature.
Planetary Geology & Surface Simulation Laboratory
Understand worlds.
Recreate their surfaces.
We investigate Mars and other planetary bodies through environmental simulation, geomorphology, remote sensing, field analogs, and planetary mapping.
PGSSL
Lab · Field · Orbit
Planetary surfaces record change. We combine experiments, observations and field geology to understand the processes written into that record.
Research
One surface.
Many processes.
From transient Martian brines and ground ice to ancient deltas, tectonics and planetary mapping, our work links physical processes to what spacecraft observe from orbit.
Ice and periglacial processes.
Polygonal terrain, scalloped depressions, brain terrain and ground-ice related landforms reveal the climatic history of Mars.
Delta morphodynamics and paleohydrology.
Tank experiments and orbital geomorphology help reconstruct Martian lakes, oceans, regression and transgression.
AI-assisted planetary mapping.
Machine learning for geomorphic classification and large-scale interpretation of planetary surfaces.
Lunar tectonics and exploration.
Crustal stresses, tectonic structures and surface hazards relevant to future lunar exploration.
From the laboratory to orbit.
Experimental products and hyperspectral measurements are compared directly with orbital signatures from planetary missions.
Facilities
Build the environment.
Observe what happens.
Our experimental infrastructure is designed to connect controlled laboratory measurements with planetary processes seen in orbital data.
MISASA Mars Surface Simulation Chamber
Mars conditions.
Inside the laboratory.
Controlled experiments on brine formation, evaporation, frost-related activity, desiccation, mineral stability and regolith-atmosphere interactions.
Hyperspectral Imaging
See materials
beyond visible color.
VNIR and SWIR hyperspectral imaging integrated with a motorized scanning stage for mineralogical and hydration-related measurements of samples, analog materials and experimental products.
Brine experiments
Deliquescence, liquid stability, evaporation pathways and water activity.
Frost and ice
Formation, sublimation and surface modification in cold environments.
Surface processes
Experimental results interpreted together with terrestrial analog sites.
Spectral comparison
Laboratory products compared with orbital spectra and mission observations.
People
A small group.
Big planetary questions.
Our team works across planetary geology, geomorphology, remote sensing and experimental surface science.
Trishit Ruj
Principal Investigator
Associate Professor, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University
Aswathi Janardhanan
Postdoctoral Researcher
Planetary surface science and experimental research
Takumu Chijiiwa
D1 · PhD Student
Present-day water activity in Martian high latitudes
Hiral PB
M2 · Master's Student
Water-ice distribution in the Martian subsurface
Aditya Sarkar
Joining October 2026 · M1
Incoming master's student
Past Students
Ren Kito
Former M.Sc Student
Delta morphology and reconstruction of Martian global regression
Takaki Sako
Former M.Sc Student
Polygon morphology and identification of near-surface ice
Projects
Planetary geology,
made physical.
Experiments, field analogs and planetary observations form a single research workflow.
Simulated Martian Delta
Tank experiments for paleohydrologic reconstruction
Dune Analog Site
Field observations linked to planetary surface processes
Simulation Chamber
Experimental infrastructure for Mars-relevant environments
News
From the lab.
March 2026
Takaki Sako received the Dean’s Choice Award at Okayama University.
December 2025
Takumu Chijiiwa received the OU-SPRING Fellowship to begin his PhD at Okayama University.
November 2025
The Planetary Surface Simulation Chamber was fully installed and became ready for experiments.
November 2025
Installation completed for the new Hyperspectral Imaging Systems covering VNIR and SWIR ranges.
October 2025
Press coverage on EurekAlert featured our Geology study on Martian mid-latitude ice accumulation.
August 2025
A first-author paper by Trishit Ruj was accepted in Geology, presenting new insights into Martian mid-latitude glaciation.
April 2025
Trishit Ruj received the Inamori Foundation Research Grant.
April 2025
Hiral PB received the HISF International Scholarship.