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Astrophysics Branch, Code SSA
Observations, Instrument Development, and Experiments
We perform observations from ground-based and space-born telescopes to better understand the origin of stars and planetary systems and support space missions. We had more successful Spitzer space telescope proposals than any other organization, we have performed observations from the Hubble space telescope and space mission spectrometers such as Cassini VIMS, and our scientists are so well respected that they chair and sit on observatory time allocation committees.
The SOFIA water vapor monitor.
The SOFIA water vapor monitor.
We develop instruments and detectors to improve the capabilities of ground based and airborn telescopes.  This is possible thanks to our scientists expertise in IR observations and our highly specialized instrument development shop tailored to producing scientific equipment and rapid prototyping which has produced flight hardware for airborne and space use. The team of technicians has extensive expertise with high vacuum systems, cryogenics, and optics.  But that’s not all…
Lab Facilities
Ice Spectroscopy and photo-chemistry:

Facilities include High-vacuum cryogenic equipment to simulate space ices, from interstellar grains at 10 K to icy surfaces of planets, comets, and satellites in the outer Solar System.

Alexandrite, Nd/YAG, and dye lasers and associated optical instrumentation for the vaporization, and photo-luminescence, and spectroscopic analysis of materials.

Chromatography for the analysis of organic molecules from meteorites and simulation experiments.

Instrumentation for transmission and reflection spectroscopy from the Vacuum UV through the Far IR.

 http://ssa.arc.nasa.gov/SSA5.jpg
Gas-phase spectroscopy: A Pulsed slit discharge nozzle that produces ultracold, very low density gas and plasmas combined with a high sensitivity cavity ringdown spectrometer.

Branch Office Phone: 650-604-5528

Branch Chief:
Tim J. Lee
Email: tjlee@mail.arc.nasa.gov
Phone: 650-604-5208

 
 
NASA Ames Research Center  •  2006 

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