Jerry Goldstein
Encyclopedia
Jerry Goldstein is a space physicist whose research has focused on the Earth's plasmasphere
, a high-altitude extension of the ionized portion of the planet's upper atmosphere. During the years 2002-2005 he published a series of papers (thirteen first-authored, seventeen co-authored) on the density structure and global dynamics of the plasmasphere.
In addition to covering fundamental scientific aspects of plasmaspheric dynamics, Goldstein's research has brought attention to plasmaspheric influence on space weather
, i.e., space-based phenomena that affect human activities and society. For example, when so-called "space storms" (otherwise known as geomagnetic storms) strike, they erode away the outer layers of the plasmasphere, and this erosion produces significant space weather effects in the form of increased radiation hazards for satellites and astronauts, and range errors in GPS navigation signals.
Goldstein got his B.S. at Brooklyn College
and his Ph.D at Dartmouth College
, where he studied magnetospheric
cavity mode resonance, a phenomenon in which the Earth's magnetic field
traps electromagnetic waves. As a postdoc at Rice University
(2000-2003), Goldstein’s job was to interpret and model the brand-new space weather data being obtained by the IMAGE
satellite (launched in March 2000). During his stay at Rice, he also participated in public outreach and education, working with inner city high school algebra teachers to develop space physics problems for use in the classroom, and designing and teaching an eight-week Continuing Studies course in space physics.
At the Southwest Research Institute
(after 2003), Goldstein continued his research on the inner magnetosphere of Earth. He also participated in analysis of Cassini data being returned from Saturn
’s magnetosphere, taught graduate-level courses as an adjoint professor of U.T. San Antonio, and led the science operations center for the TWINS mission
.
In 2006, Goldstein received several notes of recognition for his research. He was awarded the 2006 American Geophysical Union
(AGU) Macelwane medal and granted the status of AGU Fellow. In 2006, Popular Science
magazine named Goldstein one of its annual "Brilliant 10" young scientists, and San Antonio Business Journal included Goldstein in its "Forty Under 40."
Plasmasphere
The plasmasphere, or inner magnetosphere, is a region of the Earth's magnetosphere consisting of low energy plasma. It is located above the ionosphere...
, a high-altitude extension of the ionized portion of the planet's upper atmosphere. During the years 2002-2005 he published a series of papers (thirteen first-authored, seventeen co-authored) on the density structure and global dynamics of the plasmasphere.
In addition to covering fundamental scientific aspects of plasmaspheric dynamics, Goldstein's research has brought attention to plasmaspheric influence on space weather
Space weather
Space weather is the concept of changing environmental conditions in near-Earth space or thespace from the Sun's atmosphere to the Earth's atmosphere. It is distinct from the concept ofweather within the Earth's planetary atmosphere...
, i.e., space-based phenomena that affect human activities and society. For example, when so-called "space storms" (otherwise known as geomagnetic storms) strike, they erode away the outer layers of the plasmasphere, and this erosion produces significant space weather effects in the form of increased radiation hazards for satellites and astronauts, and range errors in GPS navigation signals.
Goldstein got his B.S. at Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College is a senior college of the City University of New York, located in Brooklyn, New York, United States.Established in 1930 by the New York City Board of Higher Education, the College had its beginnings as the Downtown Brooklyn branches of Hunter College and the City College of New...
and his Ph.D at Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is a private, Ivy League university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. The institution comprises a liberal arts college, Dartmouth Medical School, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business, as well as 19 graduate programs in the arts and sciences...
, where he studied magnetospheric
Magnetosphere
A magnetosphere is formed when a stream of charged particles, such as the solar wind, interacts with and is deflected by the intrinsic magnetic field of a planet or similar body. Earth is surrounded by a magnetosphere, as are the other planets with intrinsic magnetic fields: Mercury, Jupiter,...
cavity mode resonance, a phenomenon in which the Earth's magnetic field
Earth's magnetic field
Earth's magnetic field is the magnetic field that extends from the Earth's inner core to where it meets the solar wind, a stream of energetic particles emanating from the Sun...
traps electromagnetic waves. As a postdoc at Rice University
Rice University
William Marsh Rice University, commonly referred to as Rice University or Rice, is a private research university located on a heavily wooded campus in Houston, Texas, United States...
(2000-2003), Goldstein’s job was to interpret and model the brand-new space weather data being obtained by the IMAGE
IMAGE
IMAGE , or Explorer 78, was a NASA MIDEX mission that studied the global response of the Earth's magnetosphere to changes in the solar wind...
satellite (launched in March 2000). During his stay at Rice, he also participated in public outreach and education, working with inner city high school algebra teachers to develop space physics problems for use in the classroom, and designing and teaching an eight-week Continuing Studies course in space physics.
At the Southwest Research Institute
Southwest Research Institute
Southwest Research Institute , headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is one of the oldest and largest independent, nonprofit, applied research and development organizations in the United States...
(after 2003), Goldstein continued his research on the inner magnetosphere of Earth. He also participated in analysis of Cassini data being returned from Saturn
Saturn
Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second largest planet in the Solar System, after Jupiter. Saturn is named after the Roman god Saturn, equated to the Greek Cronus , the Babylonian Ninurta and the Hindu Shani. Saturn's astronomical symbol represents the Roman god's sickle.Saturn,...
’s magnetosphere, taught graduate-level courses as an adjoint professor of U.T. San Antonio, and led the science operations center for the TWINS mission
Twins Mission
Twins Mission is a 2007 Hong Kong martial arts-action-comedy film directed by action choreographer Kong Tao-Hoi and starring Sammo Hung, Gillian Chung, Charlene Choi and Wu Jing among others...
.
In 2006, Goldstein received several notes of recognition for his research. He was awarded the 2006 American Geophysical Union
American Geophysical Union
The American Geophysical Union is a nonprofit organization of geophysicists, consisting of over 50,000 members from over 135 countries. AGU's activities are focused on the organization and dissemination of scientific information in the interdisciplinary and international field of geophysics...
(AGU) Macelwane medal and granted the status of AGU Fellow. In 2006, Popular Science
Popular Science
Popular Science is an American monthly magazine founded in 1872 carrying articles for the general reader on science and technology subjects. Popular Science has won over 58 awards, including the ASME awards for its journalistic excellence in both 2003 and 2004...
magazine named Goldstein one of its annual "Brilliant 10" young scientists, and San Antonio Business Journal included Goldstein in its "Forty Under 40."