Space on the Hill

Space on the Hill is a semi-regular briefing series, co-sponsored with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO). These briefings are designed to educate Hill staff about the astronomical sciences. 

Upcoming Briefings

Hitting the Mother Lode: OSIRIS-REx and the Future of Space Mining

20 October 2020

Time: 9:00 - 10:00 am
Held virtually via Zoom. 

RSVP Here

Speakers include:

• Dr. Branden Allen, Harvard University

• Dr. Tim McCoy, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

• Dr. Erica Jawin,  Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

• Dr. Vicky Hamilton, Southwest Research Institute 

Past Briefings

• 11 March 2020 - Crowded Skies: The Impacts of Satellite Constellations on Astronomy
  • Dr. Megan Donahue, Michigan State University
  • Dr. Pat Seitzer, University of Michigan
  • Dr. Tony Beasley, National Radio Astronomy Observatory
  • Dr. Tony Tyson, Rubin Observatory and UC Davis
• 13 February 2020 - Parker Solar Probe
  • Dr. Kelly Korreck, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
  • Dr. Aleida Higginson, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab
  • Betsy Congdon, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab
• 18 December 2019 - Chandra: The Original X-Ray Observatory
  • Dr. Doug Swatrz, University Space Research Association
  • Dr. Grant Tremblay, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
  • Dr. Kimberly Arcand, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
  • Moderator:: Kelly Korreck, Ph.D., Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
• 11 July 2019 - Destination Moon: The Past, Present, and Future Science of the Moon
  • Dr. Tom Waters, National Air and Space Museum
  • Dr. Kelsey Young, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
  • Dr. Tony Case, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
  • Moderator:: Kelly Korreck, Ph.D., Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
• 13 June 2018 - Going out with a Bang: How to Make Gold and Gravitational Waves from Exploding Stars
  • Emily Levesque, Ph.D., University of Washington
  • Ori Fox, PhD, Space Telescope Science Institute
  • Kate Alexander, PhD, Harvard University
  • Moderator:: Kelly Korreck, Ph.D., Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
• 16 May 2018 From The Earth to the Sun: New Advancements in the Science of Space Weather
  • Nicky Fox, Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (Presentation)
  • Thomas Immel, PhD, University of California, Berkeley (Presentation)
  • Richard Eastes, PhD, University of Colorado, Boulder (Presentation)
• 25 April 2018 - Tools for Hunting Exoplanets: Dr. Jessie Christiansen, Dr. David Latham, Dr. Peter Plavchan
• 20 June 2017 - Is There Life on Other Planets?: Dr. Mercedes Lopez-Morales, Dr. Sarah Ballard, and Dr. Charles Alcock will address the question: is there life on other planets? 
• 2 May 2017 – Shedding Light on Black Holes: Dr. Laura Brenneman and Dr. Martin Elvis, both of SAO, discussed some of the ways that scientists study black holes and why. A Facebook Live recording has been made available.
• 13 September 2016 – Anatomy of a Space Mission: Dr. Nicola Fox, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, discussed some of the ways that the Sun can impact the planning for a space mission.
• 17 May 2016 – A Mission to Touch the Sun: Dr. Justin Kasper, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, discussed the Solar Probe Plus mission, which will be placed in orbit around the Sun.
• 20 April 2016 – Cloudy with a Chance of Solar Flares: Dr. Harlan Spense (University of New Hampshire), Dr. Kelly Korreck (SAO), and Dr. Alex Young (Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA) discussed the many ways that space weather impacts everyday life.