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.
Renee Weber (ST01) and Michael Zanetti (ST13) were workshop organizers and session chairs for The First Steps in a Bold New Era of Human Discovery: Candidate Artemis III Landing Sites – Lunar Surface Science Workshop (LSSW)- 4/4-5/23 (https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/Artemis_III_2023/technical_program/). The aim …
Robert Loper (ST13) participated in the 2023 Space Weather Workshop in Boulder, CO. Space Weather Workshop is an annual conference that brings industry, academia, and government agencies together in a lively dialog about space weather. It is organized by the …
On 3/7/23, the Hinode Project Team (Hinode formerly known as Solar-B) was notified that ESA’s Science Programmer Committee (SPC) had unanimously approved the extension of the Hinode Mission, as had been proposed by ESA executives. This latest ESA extension of …
European Space Agency (ESA) Approves Hinode Mission Extension Read More »
Dennis Gallagher, Athiray Panchapakesan, and Mitzi Adams (ST13) participated in the U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s Scout Day on 3/18/23. For the event, the three staffed a “NASA Table”, handing out lithos, stickers, tattoos, eclipse-information sheets, and answering questions. Throughout …
Mitzi Adams (ST13) attended the 100th meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, held in Birmingham at Samford University, 3/8-10/23. In addition to a presentation titled, The Sun and the Tale of Two Eclipses, Adams participated in mentoring and a …