WELCOME to Space Science Office
We unravel the puzzles of the solar system and beyond. Our goal is to advance human understanding: of our Sun and its interaction with the Earth and the planets, through the radiation and the magnetized plasmas that permeate interplanetary space; and of the stars and galaxies and how their evolution affects the future of the universe and creates the environments for life to evolve.
 |
Solar Physics
The Sun is the source of the heat and the light that was necessary for life to evolve on the Earth. The study of solar physics will lead to a better understanding of stellar dynamos & of the physics of magnetized plasmas.
+ Visit Website |
 |
 |
X-ray Astrophysics
the study of x-rays originating from the interstellar medium. Specifically, we study the diffuse x-ray background and its origins. To study x-rays we use quantum calorimeters.
+ Visit Website |
|
 |
Space Plasma Physics
Our principal objective is to develop an understanding of the physical processes that control the geospace plasma environment and its interaction with both natural and man-made bodies in space.
+ Visit Website |
|
 |
Gamma-Ray Astrophysics
The primary objectives of our research are to study gamma-ray phenomena such as pulsars, black holes , other galaxies, gamma-ray bursts , and other exotic astrophysical objects.
+ Visit Website |
|
 |
|
GENERAL INFO, NEWS AND DISCUSSIONS |
|
|
|
|
|
What is Solar Physics?
The study of solar physics at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) began in the early 1970's in conjunction with the Apollo Skylab Mission. Solar physics studies explore the nature of solar flares, the coronal heating process, and sunspot cycles. MSFC projects have included the vector magnetograph, the GOES Soft X-Ray Imager, the Yohkoh Mission, the Multi-Spectral Solar Telescope Array, the Ulysses Mission, the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory Mission (ESA/NASA), and the Global Oscillations Network Group (NSF/National Solar Observatory). We are currently managing Solar-B, a joint project of Japan's Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) and NASA. |
|
|
|
What is X-ray Astrophysics?
One of the primary activities of this group is to provide scientific and technical support for the Chandra X-ray Observatory. As part of that effort, the members of our group conduct research in various fields of X-ray astronomy, such as Balloon-Borne X-Ray Astronomy & Detector Development, Microwave-Interferometry of the Sunyaev-Zeldovich Effect, Theoretical X-Ray Spectroscopy, and Applied X-ray Optics. |
|
|
|
What is Space Plasma Physics?
Our principal objective is to develop an understanding of the physical processes that control the geospace plasma environment and its interaction with both natural and man-made bodies in space. Our unique emphases are on the plasma that originates in the ionosphere, and its heating in auroral-light displays. The heating causes plasma to escape from Earth's gravity, producing a plasma fountain, which in turn has been found to supply plasma to the acceleration regions that generate disruptive space plasma storms. The basic physics of moving plasmas, and their interactions with bodies in space, provide the fundamental basis for our research. |
|
|
|
