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.
Smoothed monthly mean sunspot number R for solar cycle 25, the present ongoing cycle, has now surpassed the maximum amplitude observed for solar cycle 24 (116.4 at t = 64 months into the cycle, April 2014) and it continues increasing …
Heidi Haviland (ST13) takes over in the role of Principal Investigator (PI) for the Neutron Measurements at the Lunar Surface (NMLS) instrument. NMLS was originally selected as a part of the NASA Provided Lunar Payloads (NPLP) Program in 2019 to …
Robert Loper (ST13) participated in the 2023 Solarnet – Sun in Science and Society (Solarnet-S3) workshop in Venice, Italy. Solarnet-S3 is an annual conference intended to create and tighten links between heliophysicists, scientists, engineers, stakeholders and economists. It is organized …
The Scintillation Prediction Observations Research Task (SPORT) 6U CubeSat, deployed into a 52-degree, 405-km orbit on 12/28/22, is making numerous observations of equatorial plasma bubbles. Ground stations resolved spacecraft tracking issues, the science scheduler is working on auto mode, and …
SPORT Satellite First Light: Observations of Plasma Bubbles Read More »
Heidi Haviland (ST13) was invited back to speak with amateur radio enthusiasts at the Huntsville Hamfest. This event was run by the Huntsville Amateur Radio Club (HARC) and the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Southeastern Division and has been an …