Heliophysics and Planetary Science Branch
The Heliophysics and Planetary Science Branch studies the coupled Sun-Earth system and the terrestrial planets and icy satellites of our solar system. Our heliophysics portfolio includes instrumentation development, sounding rocket flight, and research focusing on energy transfer across physical scales throughout the solar atmosphere. Our planetary science portfolio includes research on the origin, composition, and evolution of terrestrial planetary bodies, focusing on geological, geophysical, and related models, experiments, and observations conducted in the field, laboratory, and via analysis of remotely sensed data from space-based missions.
On 4/8/23, Mitzi Adams (ST13) presented The Sun! and the April 8, 2024 Eclipse for members and the general public in the planetarium of the Von Braun Astronomical Society. The discussion included solar anatomy and phenomena, eclipse details, and eclipse …
Michael Zanetti (ST13), Eric (Todd) Bradley/UCF, and Dennis Gallagher (ST13) supported the MSFC Office of STEM Engagement on 4/3/23 and 4/10/23 at the US Space & Rocket Center’s Aviation Challenge facility for a day and a half for the construction …
Making Replacement Obstacles for the NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge Read More »
Amy Winebarger (ST13) presented the keynote presentation at the Women in STEM at Embry-Riddle (WiSER) event on 4/4/23. The event include 8-10 female high school students from surrounding Florida high schools who were interested in continuing into STEM fields. The …
Women in STEM at Embry-Riddle (WiSER) Keynote Address Read More »
The mission paper describing the first flight of the MaGIXS sounding rocket experiment has been published in the Astrophysical Journal (Savage et. al, ApJ, 945:105; https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/acbb58/pdf). After a decade of technological development based on the original design from Ken Kobayashi …
Marshall Grazing Incidence X-ray Spectrometer (MaGIXS) Mission Paper Read More »
Heidi Haviland was invited to be a plenary speaker at the Geodetic Facility for the Advancement of Geoscience (GAGE) and the Seismological Facility for the Advancement of Geoscience (SAGE) GAGE/SAGE Community Workshop, run by the EarthScope Consortium, and funded by …
Invited Plenary Speaker at the GAGE/SAGE Workshop in Pasadena Read More »