Exoplanets
Artist rendition of HD189733b (courtesy ESA)
Polarization Measurements of exoplanet HD189733b
One of my first studies taking nightly observations of the host star HD189733. I observed at Lick Observatory using the POlarimeter at Lick for Inclination Studies of Hot Jupiters 2 instrument. This instrument was developed by my mentor at the time at the University of California Santa Cruz. This instrument attempts to collect polarized light from the exoplanet HD189733b. Rayleigh scattering from the point of observation of the host star allows for better resolvability of the exoplanets atmosphere and other physical characteristics.
Results
Exoplanet Database & Analysis
My first project at JPL was to construct a exoplanet database of all measured/observed atmospheric constituents of various exoplanets. I collected most of the literature containing raw measurements, in order to compare to a statistical model I created.
Results
Here result show that actual signals vary greatly vs. a null detection. The error bars indicate about 2-sigma accuracy or about 95% accuracy of observed results from literature.
Searles Valey Mojave Desert Salt Brine Collection
Field study to collect deep salt brine samples as a Mars analog site for bio-detection testing.
Mars 2020 Quality Assurance Testing of Power Junction Box
I worked on the PDCA cycle, helping to route all the necessary connections to the power junction box on-board the Mars 2020 Rover and testing each connection for electrical resistance in clean rooms. This was to assure all the rovers junction box was routing all the necessary power to other instruments. I also worked overnight to monitor testing of the junction box in thermal vacuum pressure chamber and assure it can withstand Martian temperatures and pressures.
