Tom Carlone
Papers
1
Total Citations
6
H-Index
1
About
Tom Carlone is a pioneering figure in planetary geology, best known for his foundational work on the exploration of planetary skylights and tunnels—subsurface voids on the Moon and Mars that hold immense promise for future human habitation and scientific discovery. His landmark 2014 paper, “Exploration of Planetary Skylights and Tunnels,” with 6 citations, marked a turning point in the field by systematically cataloging these features for the first time, revealing their unexpected diversity, scale, and abundance. Carlone’s research has fundamentally shifted the conversation from science fiction to empirical science, demonstrating that these pits are not rare anomalies but widespread geological structures. His contributions have directly influenced mission planning for NASA and other space agencies, as these caves offer natural radiation shielding and potential access to pristine subsurface environments. Carlone’s work continues to inspire a new generation of planetary scientists, cementing his legacy as a visionary who turned orbital observations into a roadmap for the next era of space exploration.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Exploration of Planetary Skylights and Tunnels6 citations · 2014