Solar System Exploration: High-Resolution Spectroscopy of Comets at Infrared Wavelengths

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

The 3-5 micron spectral region contains fundamental ro-vibrational bands of key molecules comprising the volatile (icy) component of the nuclei of comets. Using modern infrared echelle spectrometers at world class observatories permits direct measurement of the volatile component of comets. These instruments combine long-slit coverage with sensitive array detectors having small pixels. This is necessary for discriminating between release of volatiles directly from the nucleus, as opposed to release from one or more sources in the cometary atmosphere (coma). Because the ices are most sensitive to heating, their study provides clues to conditions prevalent in the early solar system and comets contain the best-preserved remnant material from this epoch. Since 1996, we have measured abundances of seven native ices (water, carbon monoxide, methyl alcohol, ethane, methane, hydrogen cyanide, and acetylene) in eight long-period comets, and have measured additional molecules (formaldehyde, ammonia, and carbonyl sulfide) in some of these comets. We will be targeting two long-period comets and four short-period comets over the next three years, and we expect additional long-period comets to become available for study, as these are being discovered (or recovered) at a significant rate through observational survey programs as well as by amateur observers.

Location

Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland

Field of Science

Planetary Science

Advisors

Michael DiSanti
Michael.A.DiSanti@nasa.gov
301-286-7036

Qualifications

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

Benefits

ORAU offers internships, fellowships, research opportunities, and contract positions that can provide you with invaluable experience. Download the ORAU Pathfinder mobile app and find the right opportunity to propel you along your career path!

Pay

N/A

Schedule

N/A

Skills

Not specified

Requirements

• Research proposal
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official doctoral transcript documents

Contact Information

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