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Mark Hofstadter
Senior Scientist
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
4800 Oak Grove Drive M/S 169-237
Pasadena, CA 91109
Research Summary:
Hofstadter's primary interest is in using radio telescopes,
both in space and on the ground, to study the atmospheres
of planets. Uranus and Neptune are his current
focus, but he also studyies Venus, Mars, and comets.
The ground-based instruments he uses are the Very Large
Array (VLA) and Submillimeter Array (SMA) interferometers,
and the Goldstone-Apple Valley Radio Telescope (GAVRT). He
is also on the Science Team of the MIRO instrument,
currently flying on-board the European Space Agency's
Rosetta spacecraft.
In addition to traditional research, Hofstadter is the
Lead Scientist for an educational program that lets
middle- and high-school students conduct real research
and participate in space missions, in partnership with
professional scientists.
Title: Exploring Weather and Seasons on Uranus
Abstract:
Uranus is one of the giant planets in the outer parts
of our solar system. Early in its history it was "knocked
on its side," causing the poles to be in the same
plane as its orbit. This creates extreme seasons,
with the summer hemisphere basking in constant sunlight
for decades, while the winter hemisphere remains in
total darkness. In 2007, Uranus passed through
an equinox, marking a change in which hemisphere receives
the most sunlight. This once-every-42-years event
gave us our first clear look at the weather and seasons
in both hemispheres. The discussion adresses the
work that is underway at JPL and elsewhere to explain
some of the unexpected things seen on Uranus. Also discussed
is how Uranus compares to other planets, and what radio
observations can tell us about planetary atmospheres.
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