TeachAstronomy

Professor Chris Impey interviews Dr. David Arnett Regents Professor of Astrophysics at The University of Arizona about about his research on supernovae, neutron stars, black holes, and the origins of elements.

Professor Chris Impey interviews Dr. Feryal Ozel Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy at The University of Arizona about about her research on extreme astrophysics including neutron stars and supermassive black holes.

Professor Chris Impey interviews Dr. Ilaria Pascucci from The Lunar and Planetary Lab at The University of Arizona about about her research on the formation and evolution of giant and terrestrial planets in the Solar System and in other planetary systems.

Professor Chris Impey interviews Dr. Daniel Apai from Steward Observatory and the Lunar and Planetary Lab at The University of Arizona. Dr. Apai’s research focuses on the formation and properties of exoplanetary systems, through direct observations of protoplanetary and debris disks and giant exoplanets. He is particularly interested in the formation of habitable planets and the characterization of exoplanetary atmospheres, including the search for biomarkers.

Professor Chris Impey interviews Dr. Dante Lauretta from the Lunar and Planetary Lab at The University of Arizona and Principal Investigator of the OSIRIS-REx Mission.

Professor Chris Impey interviews Dr. Adam Showman of the Lunar and Planetary Lab at The University of Arizona. Dr. Showman investigates the dynamics and evolution of planetary atmospheres and interiors.

Professor Chris Impey interviews Peter Smith, Senior Research Scientist at the Lunar and Planetary Lab at the University of Arizona and Principal Investigator of the Mars Phoenix Mission.

Professor Chris Impey interviews Dr. Roger Angel, Director of the Steward Observatory Mirror Lab about the process of creating the larges telescope mirrors ever made. Over the past 25 years Professor Angel has been in the forefront of a technological renaissance in telescopes and large optics. The Mirror Lab has made the optics for several telescopes, including the two largest mirrors ever (8.4 m diameter) for the Large Binocular Telescope on Mt. Graham, Arizona and is now making 8.4 m mirrors for the Giant Magellan Telescope and the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope. Angel has also developed concepts for imaging and searching for primitive life on Earth-like planets orbiting nearby stars. He has explored ways to cool the Earth with a space sunshade, and is now working on concentrating photovoltaic systems for solar energy.

Professor Chris Impey interviews Dr. Michael Lesser, Director of the University of Arizona Imaging Technology Laboratory. Dr. Lesser is involved in many aspects of the optimization of scientific Charge Coupled Device (CCD) detectors, particularly for astronomical and industrial use. He develops methods to back illuminate, package, backside charge, and antireflection coat CCDs and CMOS imagers used throughout the world. He is also interested in general astronomical instrumentation, especially visible and ultraviolet imaging and spectroscopy and associated software technologies. He directs the University of Arizona Imaging Technology Laboratory which is located near the UA main campus.

Professor Chris Impey interviews Dr. Buddy Martin, Chief Polishing Scientist at the Steward Observatory Mirror Lab. Dr. Martin is the Project Scientist for Mirror Polishing at the Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab. He leads the development of fabrication and testing for large optics, including the 8.4 m segments of the Giant Magellan Telescope. Previous manufacturing achievements include the two 8.4 m primary mirrors of the Large Binocular Telescope, the 8.4 m combined primary and tertiary mirror for the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, and thin deformable secondary mirrors for the LBT. Buddy has a Ph. D. in physics from Cambridge University and has been at Steward Observatory since 1986. He worked in radio astronomy before moving up to manufacturing optics.