Solar & Heliospheric
About
Solar and Heliospheric Research Group
The Lunar and Planetary Laboratory has had a long history studying the Sun’s atmosphere and magnetic field as it moves outward at supersonic speeds throughout the solar system until it encounters the local interstellar medium. The region of the interstellar space near the Sun that is ‘carved out’ by the solar wind is known as the Heliosphere. Current LPL researchers study many different aspects of the Heliosphere, including how it affects the transport of galactic cosmic rays within the solar system, as well as the acceleration and transport of high-energy solar particles, both of which comprise the space radiation environment. LPL researchers have had significant involvement in the Voyager spacecraft missions which are currently exploring the boundaries of the Heliosphere, as well as involvement with other spacecraft missions aimed at studying the Sun and solar wind, such as the Advanced Composition Explorer and Ulysses, and also in the "mission to touch the Sun," Parker Solar Probe.
Faculty
Solar & Heliospheric Faculty
Joe Giacalone
Professor
Solar and Heliospheric Research, Theoretical AstrophysicsWalter Harris
Professor
Planetary Astronomy, Planetary Atmospheres, Small Bodies, Solar and Heliospheric ResearchKristopher Klein
Associate Professor
Solar and Heliospheric Research, Theoretical AstrophysicsJozsef Kota
Senior Research Scientist (Retired)
Solar and Heliospheric Research, Theoretical AstrophysicsOther Researchers
Solar & Heliospheric Researchers
Jason Corliss
Research Scientist/Senior Staff Scientist
Planetary Astronomy, Planetary Atmospheres, Small Bodies, Solar and Heliospheric ResearchMark Giampapa
DCC Visiting Research Scholar (Giacalone)
Solar and Heliospheric ResearchJack Harvey
DCC Visiting Research Scholar (Giacalone)
Solar and Heliospheric ResearchJohn Leibacher
DCC Visiting Research Scholar (Giacalone)
Solar and Heliospheric ResearchMihailo Martinović
Researcher/Scientist
Solar and Heliospheric ResearchCole Meyer
PTYS Graduate Student
Planetary Atmospheres, Planetary Surfaces, Solar and Heliospheric ResearchAshraf Moradi
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Solar and Heliospheric ResearchMarcia Neugebauer
DCC Visiting Research Scientist (Giacalone)
Solar and Heliospheric ResearchTyler Reese
PTYS Graduate Student
Planetary Atmospheres, Solar and Heliospheric ResearchJada Walters
PTYS Graduate Student
Solar and Heliospheric Research, Theoretical Astrophysics