2026 Duncan Lecture
The Annual Duncan Lecture in the Department of Physics
The 2026 Duncan Lecture
To Venus: A love letter from Earth and beyond
Dr. Suzanne Smrekar, Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology
WHEN: Friday, April 3, 3 p.m.
WHERE: Academic Classroom and Laboratory Complex (ACLC) 012
ABOUT: From a distant star, Venus and Earth would appear nearly identical in size, density and distance from the sun. Both have young surfaces shaped by internal heat. Yet Venus, often called Earth’s twin, is dramatically uninhabitable, with surface temperatures near 460°C and crushing atmospheric pressure.Although scientists once predicted plate tectonics on Venus, the planet lacks the interconnected plate boundaries that drive Earth’s geology. Instead, it may resemble an earlier Earth, before modern plate tectonics emerged. Vast plateaus could represent proto-continents, and features that resemble sinking plates appear without the horizontal motion seen on Earth.
Why did two similar planets evolve so differently? Is Venus geologically active today? Does its interior contain water, or is it dry? What controls the strength of its outer layers and the size of its mantle plumes?
This lecture explores Venus through the lens of “coronae,” distinctive volcano-tectonic features that may be unique to the planet. These formations could hold clues to why Earth and Venus followed such different evolutionary paths and what future missions may reveal about our enigmatic neighbor.
Check out the 2025 Duncan Lecture
About the Annual Duncan Lecture
The Duncan Memorial Lecture, established in 2012 by Dora Duncan '48 in chemistry, commemorates her husband, Dr. M.M. "Dunc" Duncan, Jr., '49, a physics alumnus. An active amateur astronomer, it is with respect to his enduring interest in the field, combined with his penchant for exploration, discovery and knowledge of astronomy and astrophysics, that this lecture is dedicated. It is a free, annual astronomy lecture held at Auburn University open the entire community.