Roger M. Hart

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Bio

Dr. Hart loves teaching astronomy, geology, oceanography, and physics! He is passionate about engaging students through exploration, investigation, and discovery. He joined the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) as a full-time faculty member in the Department of Physics and Engineering in 2018.

Dr. Hart is a geophysicist with broad interests in the physical processes and properties of Earth, other planets, and their surrounding space environments, with a particular focus on the conditions that enable or constrain planetary habitability. Additionally, he is interested in applying citizen science and science education to practical avenues that benefit the local community.

Join the adventure! Find Dr. Hart's Spring 2026 courses here, all are welcome!

 

Office Hours

Fall 2025 Office Hours/Student Help Hours:

Monday: 4:30 PM-5 PM; 9:30-10:00 PM, FL 2534

Tuesday: 2 PM-5 PM; 9:30-10:00 PM FL 1374

Wednesday: 4 PM-5 PM, FL 2537 (Session II)

Thursday: 2 PM-5 PM, FL 1374

STEM Pathway Navigator:

  • Mondays: 1:00–2:00 PM (ZOOM ROOM)

  • Wednesdays: 1:00–2:00 PM (Flanagan Campus, Lincoln, Room FL 1374) 5:00-6:00 PM (ZOOM ROOM)

  • Tuesdays & Thursdays: 3:00–4:00 PM (Flanagan Campus, Lincoln, Room FL 1374

Education

B.S. in Geology
Department of Earth, Geographic, and Climate Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst

M.S. in Environmental Sciences
Department of Geosciences, University of Rhode Island

M.S. in Physics
Department of Physics and Astronomy, East Texas A&M University

Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences
Department of Geosciences, University of Rhode Island

Classes

Take a look at Dr. Hart's Spring 2026 classes here!

Learning Resources

Take a look at free OER textbooks here!

 

Selected Publications

  1. Hart, R., & Cardace, D. (2023). Mineral Indicators of Geologically Recent Past Habitability on Mars. Life, 13(12), 2349. https://doi.org/10.3390/life13122349
  2. Hart, R. M. (2025). A Mid-latitude Non-detection of a Magnetic Crochet during the 2025 November 4 X1. 8 Solar Flare. Research Notes of the AAS, 9(11), 310.10.3847/2515-5172/ae1ffd

Research Focus

Developing Scientific Understanding Through Earth and Space Science Investigations at Two-Year Colleges

Award Abstract # 2514197

The project aims to serve the national interest by creating a collection of earth and space science laboratory investigations designed to increase the scientific literacy of undergraduate non-STEM majors. Each investigation is carefully crafted to emphasize the nature of science and progressively increase the level of scientific inquiry expected from students. Through this approach, the curriculum supports students in understanding the process of science, learning key earth and space science concepts, developing scientific skills, and gaining confidence and interest in STEM. The collection represents a significant contribution to undergraduate education by being specifically designed for two-year college students, both online and in person, without requiring specialized equipment. Importantly, the approach supports implementation across institutions regardless of available funding, resources, or instructional modality. In addition, the project strengthens undergraduate STEM education by sharing the collection and underlying approach with educators nationwide and offering training on effective implementation and adaptation. Ultimately, the project fosters the development of opportunities for students to become engaged, competent, critical consumers of scientific information.

Ongoing scientific research projects: 

I study how planetary magnetic fields, geomagnetism, and water–rock reactions such as serpentinization work together to shape habitability and determine whether worlds can support life, using geochemical modeling and magnetic mineralogy at terrestrial analog sites to link crustal and global fields to life-supporting environments on bodies across the solar system and on rocky exoplanets.

Ongoing citizen science projects: 

Coastal and Nearshore Investigations
We are actively working in shallow coastal waters and estuaries, using CTD instruments to measure conductivity, temperature, and depth. We’re also collecting water samples to analyze oxygen, nutrients, and carbon back in the lab. At the same time, we’re using acoustic tools and echo sounders to build our own bathymetric maps, so we can better understand coastal processes, ecosystem health, and how these environments are changing with the climate.

Exploring Near-Space with Balloons
We are currently building and launching high-altitude balloon missions, designing payloads that carry instruments high into the atmosphere. With each flight, we’re working on measuring atmospheric conditions, capturing dark-sky images that simulate space-like observing, and tracking changes in Earth’s magnetic field. These projects let us practice real engineering, physics, and Earth science in a hands-on way.

Backyard Exoplanet Hunting
We are working on exoplanet observations using a Celestron AVX mount and Celestron C8 telescope. By repeatedly observing bright target stars, we’re collecting light curves and looking for small dips in brightness that reveal transiting exoplanets, including rocky super-Earths that might be habitable. We are also working on contributing these data to networks like NASA’s Exoplanet Watch to support larger professional surveys and future space missions.

Contact [email protected] for more information if you'd like to get involved!  

Presentations and Activities

*Denotes CCRI student co-authorship. 

  1. Hart, R. M. (2025). A Mid-latitude Non-detection of a Magnetic Crochet during the 2025 November 4 X1. 8 Solar Flare. Research Notes of the AAS, 9(11), 310.10.3847/2515-5172/ae1ffd
  2. Hart, R. M., & Kortz, K. M. (2025). Using planetary magnetism to increase student engagement in solar system astronomy courses (Abstract M-02). AAPT Summer Meeting 2025, Poster Session II: Astronomy, Independence Ballroom, Washington, DC. AAPT Summer Meeting 2025
  3. *Hart, R., Vertullo, I., Fewell, J., & Burns, E. (2025). First-order impact crater geophysics and water-rock interaction analysis at two locations on Mars. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 57(3), 409020. https://doi.org/10.1130/abs/2025NE-409020
  4. *Hart, R., Pereira, K. A., Gryss, M. J., & Vertullo, I. M. (2025). Integrating place-based education & service learning in community college astronomy courses. AAPT Winter Meeting 2025, Astro Poster Session II, St. Louis, MO. https://aapt-wm.secure-platform.com/a/solicitations/85/sessiongallery/3580
  5. Hart, R., Kortz, K. M., & Smay, J. J. (2024). Preliminary Feedback on the Development of a Gamified, Data-Rich Solar System Astronomy Course. In Geological Society of America Abstracts (Vol. 56, p. 401890).
  6. *Hart, R., Cardace, D., and Kennedy, H. (2023). Preliminary Magnetic Analysis of Variably Serpentinized Ultramafic Sites in Diverse Tectonic Settings. GP21A-0531. AGU, 2023.
  7. Hart, R., & Cardace, D. (2023). Preliminary Models of Mineralogies from Near-Surface Water-Rock Simulations at The Nili Fossae Region, Mars. NEGSA, 2023.
  8. Hart, R., & Cardace, D. (2022). The Case for Inferring Martian Paleo-groundwater Compositions from Trace Minerals in Ultramafic Regolith Contexts. AbSciCon, 2022.
  9. Hart, R., & Britton, B. (2019). Modeling The Interior of A Super-Earth Candidate From Stellar Metallicities To Infer Geophysical Properties. Bulletin of the American Physical Society, 64.
  10. Hart, R. & Cardace, D. (2018) Serpentinization-Driven Habitability in Terrestrial Planet Mélange. Terrains. Goldschmidt Abstracts, 2018 956
  11. Hart, R. & Cardace, D. (2017) Modeling Late-State Serpentinization on Enceladus and Implications for Methane-Utilizing Microbial Metabolisms, Abstract P43B-2885, presented at 2017 Fall Meeting, AGU, New Orleans, LA, 11-15 Dec.
  12. Hart, R. & Cardace, D. (2017) Terrestrial Planet Serpentinization in Mélange Terrains, Planetary Geology (Posters), Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 49, No. 2 doi:10.1130/abs/2017NE-291088
  13. Stebbins A, Algeo T, Hart R, Krystyn L, Williams J, Brookfield M & Hannigan R (2016) The Early Triassic Sulfur Isotope Curve of Seawater Sulfate from Marine Carbonates in the Neo- Tethys. Goldschmidt Abstracts, 2015 2976


Dr. Hart is a member of the following professional organizations: 

American Association of Physics Teachers
American Geophysical Union
American Astronomical Society
Society of Exploration Geophysicists
Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography
National Association of Science Teachers
Rhode Island Science Teachers Association

Additional Information (Links)

Keep the adventure going and explore our planet and the universe! 

Students at CCRI who are interested in majoring in either Geology or Physics and want to remain instate can transfer to the University of Rhode Island. There is a Joint Admissions Agreement (JAA) with URI in both Geology and Geological Oceanography and Physics.The first two years of your Bachelor's degree will be completed at CCRI all while earning your Associate degree. Once transferred to RIC or URI, JAA students receive the following benefits:

  • Up to 30% discounted tuition at RIC or URI depending on your CCRI GPA
  • Waived application fee
  • Conditional acceptance to URI or RIC
  • Personalized advising at CCRI, URI, and RIC
  • More than 60 majors to choose from
  • Transfer seamlessly as a junior in your major

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