Brian Jackson, a Physics Professor at Boise State University and Director of the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve STEM Network, has been selected to serve as the next Editor of the Planetary Science Journal. He will assume the role on January 1, 2026. The journal is co-owned by the American Astronomical Society and the Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS).
Jackson succeeds inaugural Editor Faith Vilas, who oversaw the journal’s launch in 2019 and guided its development into a leading gold open access outlet for new observational findings, theoretical space-based observational results, theoretical insights, computational modeling, laboratory investigations, innovations in instrumentation, and field studies within planetary sciences. Gold open access ensures that articles are freely available upon publication.
Since 2020, Jackson has served as a Science Editor for the journal, handling manuscripts related to a broad range of research areas. His background spans topics including Mars surface–atmosphere interactions, exoplanet atmospheres, and planetary orbital evolution. His career also reflects extensive service and mentorship through academic and community engagement.
Jackson holds degrees from the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of Arizona. His professional experience includes positions at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, the University of Maryland, and the Carnegie Institution for Science. He also serves as the Education and Public Outreach Officer for the Division for Planetary Sciences.
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