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Staring at the sun: Using disc-integrated solar spectra to model stellar activity for exoplanet detection

ORAU · Pasadena, CA · 3 mo ago
Business DevelopmentFull-time

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

Our group uses high resolution ground-based optical and near-infrared solar spectra to diagnose and model different manifestations of stellar activity. Nearby sun-like stars are a crucial sample of targets for future NASA flagship direct imaging missions, as these are the prime candidates for directly imaging exo-Earths. Surveying these stars with ground-based extremely precise radial velocity (ERPV) measurements is critical in this pursuit, as EPRVs provide the necessary planet masses and detections to support future imaging missions such as the Habitable-Worlds Observatory (HWO).

  • Data to be analyzed will be from a combination of facilities, including the the Keck Planet Finder (KPF), PARVI, and NEID instruments, each of which has (or will soon have) a dedicated solar feed that delivers hundreds of daily disc-integrated spectra to the instrument.
  • The successful applicant will work closely with a team of field-leading exoplanet detection experts to analyze high resolution spectroscopic data of the Sun from a variety of ground-based optical and near-infrared facilities.
  • The research will focus on leveraging a library of high-resolution spectra of the Sun to derive and test different spectroscopic measurement metrics and techniques aimed at identifying stellar activity signals in radial velocity time series.

Field of Science

Astrophysics

Advisors

Samuel Halverson
samuel.halverson@jpl.nasa.gov
(650) 392-5909

Eligibility

  • U.S. Citizens;
  • U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR);
  • Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J-1 visa status;
  • 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

Requirements

  • Degree: Doctoral Degree.

Benefits

  • ORAU offers internships, fellowships, research opportunities, and contract positions that can provide you with invaluable experience.

Pay

N/A

Schedule

N/A

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