Astrophysics Research

Sponsored research programs prepare for the next generation of missions through both theoretical research and applied technology investigations. They also use data from current missions and use suborbital science investigations to advance NASA science goals.

Suborbital missions are an integral part of the R&A program, including sounding rocket and balloon campaigns which provide ancillary measurements, demonstrate measurement technologies, and train future mission PIs and students.

Current status of the Astrophysics research competitions:

R&A 2017.12.07

Sponsored fellowships are also an important part of the Astrophysics Research program. There are two fellowship programs:

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James Webb Space Telescope

The image is divided horizontally by an undulating line between a cloudscape forming a nebula along the bottom portion and a comparatively clear upper portion. Speckled across both portions is a starfield, showing innumerable stars of many sizes. The smallest of these are small, distant, and faint points of light. The largest of these appear larger, closer, brighter, and more fully resolved with 8-point diffraction spikes. The upper portion of the image is blueish, and has wispy translucent cloud-like streaks rising from the nebula below. The orangish cloudy formation in the bottom half varies in density and ranges from translucent to opaque. The stars vary in color, the majority of which have a blue or orange hue. The cloud-like structure of the nebula contains ridges, peaks, and valleys – an appearance very similar to a mountain range. Three long diffraction spikes from the top right edge of the image suggest the presence of a large star just out of view.

Perseverance Rover

Parker Solar Probe

Juno