Spring

Zarah’s dissertation research provides the first global view of a giant planet middle and upper atmosphere, which is based on her analysis of stellar occultations obtained during the Cassini Grand Finale tour. Zarah’s observational results contradicted existing models and showed that auroral heating and global redistribution of energy is a viable solution to the giant planet “energy crisis” problem. These results had fundamental implications for the energy balance and circulation in the upper atmosphere and were published by Nature Astronomy (Brown et al. 2020). 

Zarah’s second paper (Brown et al. 2022) in Geophysical Research Letters describes the atmospheric gravity waves that she detected in the Cassini/UVIS dataset. She showed that the deposition of momentum by these waves enhances redistribution of energy from the aurora to lower latitudes, providing a mechanism to support her previous findings.

Zarah’s thesis work culminated in a third Icarus paper (Brown et al. 2024), which extends the analysis of the stellar occultations from the highest altitudes in the atmosphere to the middle atmosphere. This paper provides the first global constraints on photochemistry and dynamics in Saturn’s mesosphere where photochemical production peaks. The results have already supported a study that produced significant new constraints on the nature and flux of external material flowing in from the rings to Saturn’s atmosphere and demonstrates the full power of multi-instrument observations in probing giant planet atmospheres for the purposes of future missions. Zarah presented her proposed circulation pattern at the DPS meeting last fall, resulting in interest for testing the ideas presented. 

In addition to her academic accomplishments, Zarah had an exemplary record in service and outreach, including contributions to The Art of Planetary Science exhibition at LPL and leading the installation of the Arizona Scale Model Solar System on the UA campus as part of a NASA Arizona Space Grant Graduate Fellowship.

Sam Myers is a fourth-year graduate student working with LPL Research Professor Ellen Howell to study near-Earth asteroids. His research includes modeling near-infrared spectra of these objects and is proficient at collecting data during remote observing sessions using the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility at the Mauna Kea Observatory, Hawaii. 

Within the department, Sam‘s service commitments have included graduate student recruitment, organizing graduate student activities, and positions on various committees; he is currently graduate representative to the faculty. Sam has been actively engaged with community outreach, giving public science talks about asteroids to various amateur astronomy groups, schools, and retirement communities. He has also participated in efforts by the Arecibo Observatory scientists and staff to draw attention to the need for a replacement radar system to study and determine the impact hazard for near-Earth asteroids. 

Throughout his time as a student, Sam has pursued an interest in science policy and has been actively involved in influencing lawmakers and government agencies to guide science research. He has visited Arizona representatives and senators to draw their attention to science-related issues. Sam enrolled in a Science Policy and Diplomacy (SPD) course three years ago and was a leader in that class. He has continued pursuing activities related to SPD that broaden the impacts of science and its influence in society. 

As part of the SPD course, Sam participated in a U.S. State Department Diplomacy Lab project examining the potential impact of climate change on the water, energy, and agricultural systems of an identified region; the project yielded policy recommendations that could be implemented by the State Department. The team was selected to present their work at the annual Diplomacy Lab Day and eventually also developed a journal publication on linking science and diplomatic recommendations in the project. In 2023, the team was selected to develop a science and technology policy fellowship program to serve the Arizona Legislature.