Chris McKay

Contact Information
Title: 
CS
Phone: 
(650)604-6864
Email : 
Christopher.P.McKay@nasa.gov
Affiliation: 
SST
Affiliation: 
Planetary Systems Branch (Code SST)
Professional Background
Education: 
Ph.D. in AstroGeophysics from the University of Colorado in 1982
Research Interests: 
My research focuses on the evolution of the solar system and the origin of life. I'm also actively involved in planning for future Mars missions including human exploration. I have been involved with polar and desert research, traveling to the Antarctic Dry Valleys, the Atacama Desert, the Arctic, and the Namib Desert to conduct research in these Mars-like environments.

Select Publications: 
1. Gilliam, A. and McKay, C. 2011. Titan under a red dwarf star and as a rogue planet: requirements for liquid methane. Planet. Space Sci. 59, 835-839.

2. Bishop, J.L., R.T. Schelble, C.P. McKay, A.J. Brown and K.A. Perry (2011) Carbonate rocks in the Mojave Desert as an analogue for Martian carbonates. Int. J. Astrobiology. In press.

3. Andersen, D. T., Sumner, D. Y., Hawes, I., Webster-Brown, J. and McKay, C. P. (2011), Discovery of large conical stromatolites in Lake Untersee, Antarctica. Geobiology, 9: 280–293. doi: 10.1111/j.1472-4669.2011.00279.x

4. McKay, C.P. (2011) The search for life in our Solar System and the implications for science and society. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A 369, 594–606.

5. Navarro-González, R., Vargas, E., de la Rosa, J., Raga, A.C., and McKay, C.P. 2010. Reanalysis of the Viking results suggests perchlorate and organics at mid-latitudes on Mars. Journal of Geophysical Research, 115, E12010, doi:10.1029/2010JE003599.

6. Williams, K.E., C.P. McKay, O. B. Toon, J.W. Head (2010) Do Ice Caves exist on Mars? Icarus, 209, 58-368.

7. McKay, C.P. (2010) Liquid water formation around rocks and meteorites on Antarctic Polar Plateau ice. Antarctic Science 22, 287–288.

8. Delitsky, M., McKay, C. (2010) The photochemical products of benzene in Titan's upper atmosphere. Icarus, 207, 477-484.

9. Davis, W.L., McKay, C.P., dePater, I. 2010. Rain infiltration and crust formation in the extreme arid zone of the Atacama Desert, Chile. Planet. Space Sci. 58, 616–622.

10. McKay, C.P., Griffith, C.A., Ferri, F. and Fulchignoni, M. (2010) Comparing methane and temperature profiles on Titan in 1980 and 2005. Planetary Space Science 57, 1996–2000.

11. McKay, C.P., Molaro, J.L., and Marinova, M.M. (2009) High-frequency rock temperature data from hyper-arid desert environments in the Atacama and the Antarctic Dry Valleys and implications for rock weathering. Geomorphology 110, 182–187.

12. McKay, C.P. (2009) Planetary ecosynthesis on Mars: restoration ecology and environmental ethics, In Exploring the Origin, Extent, and Future of Life: Philosophical, Ethical, and Theological Perspectives, edited by C. Bertka, Cambridge Astrobiology, p 245-260.

13. McKay, C.P. (2009) Biologically reversible exploration. Science 323, 718.

14. McKay, C.P. (2009) Snow recurrence sets the depth of dry permafrost at high elevations in the Dry Valleys of Antarctica. Antarctic Science, 21, 89-94.

15. McKay, C.P., C.C. Porco, T. Altheide, W.L. Davis, T.A. Kral (2008) The possible origin and persistence of life on Enceladus and detection of biomarkers in the plume. Astrobiology 8, 909-919.
Other Information
Awards and Other: 
1981 United States Antarctic Service Medal
1989 Urey Prize of the Division of Planetary Sciences
2004 NASA Exceptional Leadership Medal
2005 NASA Ames Honor Award - Mentor
2005 Int. Soc Study Origin Life Fellow
2006 Am. Geophys Union Fellow
2009 NASA Group Achievement Award Phoenix mission