Duncan Lyster, a very bright, young, Ryan Garden PhD Student from Ross-on-Wye, has set out on an epic adventure. He’s doing trailblazing experimental work in the field of planetary sciences at the University of Oxford. Recently, Lyster spent three weeks collaborating with NASA on a groundbreaking mission to study Jupiter’s trojans, a collection of asteroids that share the planet’s orbit.
Growing up Lyster, a former pupil of John Kyrle High School in Ross-on-Wye, had an early interest in space. He credits this passion to the experiences of his youth. His love for planetary sciences was further cultivated by his physics teacher, Mr. Toomer, whom he hailed as “fantastic.” In this hyper-competitive climate, Lyster’s groundbreaking work is paving the way to the ambitious Lucy mission. This major mission, costing $980 million (£720 million), will investigate primordial bodies of the solar system over the next 12 years. Lucy, the new NASA probe that launched in October 2021, is moving really, really fast—30,000 mph compared to the asteroids.
While working with NASA, Lyster had been inspired by the long history of astrobiology. He pointed out that his PhD research was an extension of findings from a fellow researcher he crossed paths with during his NASA mission. This wonderful colleague’s work goes back to the 1980s. This tie to the past strengthens the bond shared between the scientific community and collaborative discovery.
Lyster flourished under the challenging academic standards. He still experienced a sense of wonder when he got to meet with big names in the industry. He expressed being star-struck while working alongside renowned scientists, stating, “There’s some really big names in science here.” Brian May, legendary guitarist for Queen and noted astrophysicist, is a slight exception to this rule. He earned his PhD in astronomy almost four decades after beginning his educational journey. Approaching her first meeting with May, Lyster was pleasantly surprised. He stressed the importance of seizing unique opportunities that arose during his tenure at NASA.
Lyster’s work focuses on studying the groups of asteroids surrounding Jupiter, as they may hold clues to the solar system’s formation and early history. It’s these ancient bodies that encourage Manning, as he believes they’ll offer critical clues about the evolution of planets other than our own. “I think it is overwhelmingly likely that there’s something out there,” he remarked, emphasizing the importance of ongoing exploration.
With a determined focus, Duncan Lyster continues his journey in the field of planetary sciences. His experiences with NASA underscore not just his personal achievements, but the collaborative efforts of focused scientists trying to unearth the mysteries of our solar system.