Heliophysics: Coronal Mass Ejections and Space Weather

About the role

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers unique research opportunities to highly-talented scientists to engage in ongoing NASA research projects at a NASA Center, NASA Headquarters, or at a NASA-affiliated research institute. These one- to three-year fellowships are competitive and are designed to advance NASA’s missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology.

Description

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are large-scale magnetized plasma structures ejected from the Sun with speeds ranging from a few to more than 2000 kilometers per second. The CMEs impart energy and momentum to planetary atmospheres and magnetospheres. CMEs also drive fast mode magnetohydrodynamic shocks, which in turn accelerate electrons and ions. Experimental and theoretical research is conducted to investigate various aspects of CMEs from their initiation at the Sun, their interplanetary propagation, and the subsequent impact on various heliospheric structures. These studies also include the shock-driving capability of CMEs, as derived from the interplanetary radio emission associated with these solar eruptions. Spacecraft data obtained by white-light coronagraphs and radio instruments are used for these investigations. Emphasis is placed on space weather studies that relate the properties of CMEs to the intensity of geomagnetic storms and solar energetic particle events.

Location

Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland

Field of Science

Heliophysics Science

Advisors

• Adam Szabo
  adam.szabo-1@nasa.gov
  301-286-5726
• Alex Young
  c.a.young@nasa.gov
  301-286-4441
• Nat Gopalswamy
  Natchimuthuk.Gopalswamy-1@nasa.gov
  301-286-5885
• James E. Leake
  james.e.leake@nasa.gov
  301-286-7638
• Hyunju Kim Connor
  Hyunju.k.connor@nasa.gov
  301.286.7417

Eligibility

• U.S. Citizens;
• U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR);
• Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J-1 visa status; and,
• Applicants for LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. at the time of application with 1) a valid EAD card and 2) I-485 or I-589 forms in pending status

Questions

Please email npp@orau.org for questions about this opportunity.