My primary research involves Astrophysics & Cosmology from the Moon, consisting of the design & flight of low frequency radio telescopes to the lunar surface. I am the Co-I of four manifested payloads on NASA landers depositing radio telescopes on the Moon in 2023, 2024, 2025, & 2026. I am also the P.I. of the FARSIDE lunar array project, identified as a possible Probe mission by the Astro2020 Decadal Survey. I lead a multi-institution team called the Network for Exploration & Space Science with a $5 million NASA SSERVI grant, including an outreach effort that premiered a planetarium show entitled 'Forward! To the Moon' in 2022 at CU-Fiske, in Oakland, CA, Houston, and Huntsville, AL. My other research involves observations and numerical simulations of galaxy clusters. Our observational research makes use of the NASA Chandra X-ray observatory, and the JLVA and GMRT radio telescopes. Along with graduate students & postdocs, I study the role of shocks and cosmic rays created as clusters merge.
keywords
Astrophysics and Cosmology from the Moon, modeling and space-based mission design for 21-cm observations of exoplanets, the cosmic dark ages and cosmic dawn, observations and simulations of galaxy clusters
ASTR 2020 - Space Astronomy and Exploration
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Fall 2019 / Fall 2020
Covers physical principles of performing astronomy from space for science and exploration. The basic design of launch vehicles and spacecraft, orbital dynamics, and instruments will be described in the context of specific space missions (e.g. Hubble Telescope, Mars rovers) as well as prospects for future space observatories in orbit and on the Moon.
ASTR 4800 - Space Science: Practice and Policy
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018 / Fall 2019 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2022
Exposes students to current controversies in science that illustrate the scientific method and the interplay of observation, theory, and science policy. Students research and debate both sides of the issues, which include strategies and spin-offs of space exploration, funding of science, big vs. small science, and scientific heresy and fraud. Recommended prerequisite: one year of college level astronomy or physics.
