June 2013 - A Quarterly Publication NASA's Kepler discovers its smallest 'habitable zone' planets to date by Michele Johnson NASA's Kepler Mission has re- cently discovered two new planetary systems that include three super- Earth-size planets in the "habitable zone," the range of distance from a star where the surface temperature of an orbiting planet might be suitable for liquid water. The Kepler-62 system has five planets; 62b, 62c, 62d, 62e and 62f. The Kepler-69 system has two planets; 69b and 69c. Kepler-62e, 62f and 69c are the super-Earth-sized planets. Two of the newly discovered planets orbit a star smaller and cooler than the sun. Kepler-62f is only 40 Relative sizes of all of the habitable-zone planets discovered to date alongside Earth. Left to right: Kepler-22b, percent larger than Earth, making it Kepler-69c, Kepler-62e, Kepler-62f and Earth (except for Earth, these are artists' renditions). Image credit: NASA the exoplanet closest to the size of Ames/JPL-Caltech. our planet known in the habitable zone of another star. Kepler-62f is around a sun-like star resembles that ate administrator of the Science Mis- likely to have a rocky composition. of our neighboring planet Venus. sion Directorate at NASA Headquar- Kepler-62e, orbits on the inner edge Scientists do not know whether life ters in Washington. "The discovery of of the habitable zone and is roughly could exist on the newfound planets, these rocky planets in the habitable 60 percent larger than Earth. but their discovery signals we are zone brings us a bit closer to finding The third planet, Kepler-69c, is 70 another step closer to finding a world a place like home. It is only a matter percent larger than the size of Earth, similar to Earth around a star like our of time before we know if the galaxy and orbits in the habitable zone of a sun. is home to a multitude of planets like star similar to our sun. Astronomers "The Kepler spacecraft has cer- Earth, or if we are a rarity." are uncertain about the composition tainly turned out to be a rock star of The Kepler space telescope, which of Kepler-69c, but its orbit of 242 days science," said John Grunsfeld, associ- simultaneously and continuously continued on page 5 NASA Administrator Charles Bolden visits Ames

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden (far left) visited Ames May 24, 2013, to view demonstrations of Ames’ contributions to the PhoneSat nanosatellite mission and 3D printing activity and to meet with local news media. U.S. Congressman Mike Honda, 17th Congressional District, California, (third from left) and Ames Research Center Director S. Pete Worden (second from left) were at the site of PhoneSat and additive manufacturing dem- onstrations. Demonstrating the 3D printing technology was Sarah Hovsepian (far right) SpaceShop manager. Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is a critical part of President Obama’s push for building a strong American manufacturing sector. The PhoneSat program recently launched three small satellites built from off-the-shelf cellular phone technology.

NASA photo by Dominic Hart

www.nasa.gov NASA imaging sensor prepares for Western wildfire season by Ruth Dasso Marlaire Airborne imaging technology NASA-developed NASA developed and transferred to wildfire imag- the U.S. Department of Agriculture's ing technology Forest Service (USFS) in 2012 is transferred to the being tested to prepare for this year's U.S. Department of Agriculture's wildfire season in the western United Forest Service States. (USFS) has The Autonomous Modular Sen- begun test flights sor (AMS) is a scanning spectrometer onboard a Forest designed to help detect hot-spots, Service aircraft active fires and smoldering and post- in preparation for fire conditions. Scientists at Ames this year's wildfire season in the and USFS engineers installed it on a western United Cessna Citation aircraft that belongs States. to the Forest Service. The USFS plans to use it in operational fire imaging Image credit: and measurement. USFS The western United States is expected to have continued droughts "NASA technologies in the fields of Wildfire Research and Applications this year resulting in increased po- data communication, aircraft systems, Partnership project and a senior re- tential for fire outbreaks, according to advanced sensing systems and real- search scientist at Ames and Califor- the National Interagency Fire Center time information processing finally nia State University, Monterey Bay. (NIFC) in Boise, Idaho. To help miti- have coalesced into the operational Developed by NASA's Airborne gate fire danger, NASA researchers use that supports national needs in Sciences Program, the Autonomous and USFS firefighters are collabo- wildfire management," said Vincent Modular Sensor acquires high-reso- rating to improve fire management Ambrosia, principal investigator of the lution imagery of the Earth's features capabilities. continued on page 7 Ames Contractor Council hosts 2013 Excellence Awards ceremony by Patricia Elson The Ames Contractor Council (ACC) recently held its annual Excellence Awards Ceremony in the Syvertson Auditorium. This event celebrates and acknowledges the contributions that both individuals and teams have made to Ames activities. This year, Length of Service awards were added for con- tractor staff with 20 or more years of service at Ames. The event was hosted by Mas- ter of Ceremonies Neill Callis, ACC President; presentations were made by Gregory Hite, ACC Vice President, and Lewis S. G. Braxton III, Deputy Center Director. A total of 18 individuals and 12 teams were recognized for their outstanding performance over the past year. A total of 210 contractors were recognized for their length of service. The ACC also presented its Safety Excellence Award at the event, recog- nizing Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies, Inc., for their best-of-class safety perfor- mance at NASA Ames during 2012. NASA photo by Dominic Hart Ames Deputy Center Director Lewis Braxton (right) congratulates contractor staff in attendance with 40 or more years of service to NASA Ames: Back row, left to right: Doug Pearson (55), Fred Witteborn (54), Herbert Finger (42) and Rick Serrano (47). Front row, left to right: John Humbert (49), Vera Vizir (40) and Lynn Albaugh (40).

2 Astrogram June 2013 NASA successfully launches three smartphone satellites by Ruth Dasso Marlaire Transmissions from all three found at: http:// PhoneSats have been received at mul- www.phonesat. tiple ground stations on Earth, indicat- org ing they are operating normally. The NASA's off- PhoneSat team at Ames will continue the-shelf Phone- to monitor the satellites. The satellites Sats already have are expected to remain in orbit for as many of the sys- long as two weeks. tems needed for a "It's always great to see a space satellite, including technology mission make it to orbit fast processors, -- the high frontier is the ultimate test- versatile operating ing ground for new and innovative systems, multiple space technologies of the future," said miniature sensors, Michael Gazarik, NASA's associate high-resolution administrator for space technology cameras, GPS in Washington. "Smartphones offer receivers and a wealth of potential capabilities for several radios. flying small, low-cost, powerful satel- NASA engineers lites for atmospheric or Earth science, kept the total cost communications, or other space-born of the compo- applications. They also may open nents for the The PhoneSats are approximately the size of a coffee cup. space to a whole new generation of three prototype commercial, academic and citizen- satellites in the space users." PhoneSat project torate at NASA Headquarters. The Satellites consisting mainly of the between $3,500 and $7,000 by using directorate is innovating, developing, smartphones will send information primarily commercial hardware and testing and flying hardware for use in about their health via radio back to keeping the design and mission objec- future science and exploration mis- Earth in an effort to demonstrate they tives to a minimum. The hardware for sions. NASA’s technology investments can work as satellites in space. The this mission is the Google-HTC Nexus provide cutting-edge solutions for our One smartphone nation’s future. running the An- The PhoneSat family of systems droid operating is part of an overall Ames effort to as- system. sess commercial grade technologies NASA added for use in small- and nano-spacecraft items a satellite systems to save development costs needs that the and leverage industry investments in smartphones high-quality, mass-produced compo- do not have -- a nents. Ames has successfully complet- larger, external ed and delivered eight nanosatellites lithium-ion bat- for launch since 2006. tery bank and a "Smartphones' ability to tolerate more powerful vigorous use makes them able to with- radio for mes- stand the launch and space environ- sages it sends ment; and their compact, modern elec- from space. The tronics components make them work smartphone's in the vacuum of space more easily. ability to send After we realized this, we set out to and receive explore whether smartphones can be calls and text used as the core components of a NASA photos by Ben Howard messages has satellite," said Jim Cockrell, PhoneSat been disabled. project manager at Ames. PhoneSat 1.0 hanging from a high-altitude balloon. PhoneSat 1.0 during Each smart- For more about information about high-altitude balloon test. phone is housed NASA's Small Spacecraft Technology in a standard Program and the PhoneSat mission, spacecraft also will attempt to take cubesat structure, measuring about visit: http://www.nasa.gov/smallsats pictures of Earth using their cameras. four inches square. The smartphone For more information about Amateur radio operators around the acts as the satellite's onboard com- NASA's Space Technology Mission world can participate in the mission by puter. Its sensors are used for attitude Directorate, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/ monitoring transmissions and retriev- determination and its camera for Earth spacetech. ing image data from the three satel- observation. lites. Large images will be transmitted The PhoneSat project is a technol- in small chunks and will be recon- ogy demonstration mission conceived structed through a distributed ground of at Ames and funded by NASA’s station network. More information can Space Technology Mission Direc-

3 Astrogram June 2013 Ames wins NASA’s 2012 Government Invention of the Year award by Jessica Culler more unknown parts of a gas using Station. Other federal agencies are NASA’s Ames has won the 2012 carbon nanotubes. The electronic using sensors based on this technol- NASA Government Invention of the sensors developed from these car- ogy to detect trace gases in various Year for a tiny sensor that can detect bon nanotubes are inexpensive, environments. Specific applications chemicals in the air. light-weight and consume very little for which the innovative sensors have “High Sensitive, Low Power and power. A typical sensor device based been tested and used include trace Compact Nano Sensors for Trace on this concept includes a set of chemical detection in planetary explo- ration, air monitoring, leak detection and hazardous agent detection using cell phones. Potential future applica- tions may include environmental moni- toring, industrial process monitoring and control and biomedical diagnosis. “We’re very pleased to have Ames inventiveness recognized with this award for the third consecutive year,” said S. Pete Worden, NASA Ames center director. “With this invention, our people have basically created the insides of a tricorder, and based on the uses we’ve already demonstrated, I can’t wait to see the fantastic applica- tions that NASA and industry are going to devise for it.” Each NASA field center submits nominations for the awards, which are evaluated by NASA’s Inventions and Contributions Board. The board NASA photo by Dominic Hart A multiple-channel silicon-based sensing chip, consisting of 64 nanosensors and is less than determines which nominations qualify one square centimeter, is the winner of the 2012 NASA Government Invention of the Year. for each category, ranks the nominees, and makes recommendations to the Chemical Detection” was invented comb-shaped metal microelectrodes NASA Office of the General Counsel by Jing Li and Meyya Meyyappan of fabricated by photolithography on an for review and approval. NASA Ames, and Yijang Lu of the Uni- electrically insulating substrate. This year Ames also won a Com- versity of California, Santa Cruz. The sensors have been deployed mercial Invention of the Year run- The invention includes methods by NASA to detect trace gases in the ner- up recognition for its Rehydration and systems for estimating one or crew cabin on the International Space Beverage, a patented water-electrolyte beverage that results in significantly greater body hydration levels than sim- California Governor meets scientists at Ames ilar beverages available on the market. Invented by Ames’ John Greenleaf, it has been used by astronauts before, during and after spaceflight, including missions to the International Space Station, and by athletes who require rapid rehydration after strenuous exercise. Ames previously earned the NASA Government Invention of the Year award in the following years: - 2007, for low-density, light- NASA photo by Dominic Hart NASA weight heat shield materials - 2008, for a high-speed 3-D la- ser scanner with real time processing - 2010, for software that creates simulations for managing air traffic scenarios - 2011, for a low-cost, light- weight, two-piece, thermal protection system for use on space vehicles dur- ing atmospheric re-entry at hypersonic California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. joined more than 500 world-renowned researchers speed and scientists May 23, 2013, to release a groundbreaking call to action on climate change. The Ames also won NASA Commercial event was held in the NASA Research Park and marked Sustainable Silicon Valley’s fourth Invention of the Year in 2010 for the annual Water, Energy and Smart Technology (WEST) Summit and Showcase of Solutions Powder Handling Device for Analytical for Planetary Sustainability at NASA's Ames Research Center. From left to right, California Instruments. Governer Jerry Brown, Daniel Rasky, Waleed Abdalati, James Hansen, Anthony Barnosky and Banny Bannerjee.

4 Astrogram June 2013 NASA's Kepler discovers its smallest 'habitable zone' planets to date continued from front page measures the brightness of more than 150,000 stars, is NASA's first mission capable of detecting Earth-size plan- ets around stars like our sun. Orbiting its star every 122 days, Kepler-62e was the first of these habitable zone planets identified. Kepler-62f, with an orbital period of 267 days, was later found by Eric Agol, associate profes- sor of astronomy at the University of Washington and co-author of a paper about the discoveries published in the journal Science. The size of Kepler-62f is now mea- sured, but its mass and composition are not. However, based on previous studies of rocky exoplanets similar in size, scientists are able to estimate its mass by association. "The detection and confirmation of planets is an enormously collab- orative effort of talent and resources, and requires expertise from across the scientific community to produce these tremendous results," said Wil- liam Borucki, Kepler science principal Kepler-69 and the Solar System - The diagram compares the planets of the inner solar system investigator at Ames and lead author to Kepler-69, a two-planet system about 2,700 light-years from Earth in the constellation of the Kepler-62 system paper in Sci- Cygnus. The two planets of Kepler-69 orbit a star that belongs to the same class as our sun, ence. "Kepler has brought a resur- called G-type. Kepler-69c, is 70 percent larger than the size of Earth, and is the smallest yet gence of astronomical discoveries found to orbit in the habitable zone of a sun-like star. Astronomers are uncertain about the composition of Kepler-69c, but its orbit of 242 days around a sun-like star resembles that of and we are making excellent progress our neighboring planet Venus. The companion planet, Kepler-69b, is just over twice the size of toward determining if planets like ours Earth and whizzes around its star once every 13 days. The artistic concepts of the Kepler-69 are the exception or the rule." planets are the result of scientists and artists collaborating to help imagine the appearance The two habitable zone worlds of these distant worlds. The Kepler space telescope, which simultaneously and continuously orbiting Kepler-62 have three compan- measures the brightness of more than 150,000 stars, is NASA's first mission capable of detect- ions in orbits closer to their star, two ing Earth-size planets around stars like our sun. Image credit: NASA Ames/JPL-Caltech larger than the size of Earth and one about the size of Mars. Kepler-62b, Earth-like planets," said Thomas Bar- signals of habitable zone planets the Kepler-62c and Kepler-62d, orbit every clay, Kepler scientist at the Bay Area size of Earth orbiting stars like the sun five, 12, and 18 days, respectively, Environmental Research Institute in will begin to emerge. making them very hot and inhospitable Sonoma, Calif., and lead author of the Ames is responsible for Kepler's for life as we know it. Kepler-69 system discovery published ground system development, mission The five planets of the Kepler-62 in the Astrophysical Journal. operations, and science data analysis. system orbit a star classified as a K2 When a planet candidate transits, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in dwarf, measuring just two-thirds the or passes in front of the star from the Pasadena, Calif., managed Kepler size of the sun and only one-fifth as spacecraft's vantage point, a percent- mission development. bright. At seven billion years old, the age of light from the star is blocked. Ball Aerospace & Technologies star is somewhat older than the sun. It The resulting dip in the brightness Corp. in Boulder, Colo., developed the is about 1,200 light-years from Earth in of the starlight reveals the transiting Kepler flight system and supports mis- the constellation Lyra. planet's size relative to its star. Us- sion operations with the Laboratory for A companion to Kepler-69c, known ing the transit method, Kepler has Atmospheric and Space Physics at the as Kepler-69b, is more than twice the detected 2,740 candidates. Using University of Colorado in Boulder. size of Earth and whizzes around its various analysis techniques, ground The Space Telescope Science In- star every 13 days. The Kepler-69 telescopes and other space assets, stitute in Baltimore archives, hosts and planets' host star belongs to the same 122 planets have been confirmed. distributes Kepler science data. Kepler class as our sun, called G-type. It is Early in the mission, the Kepler is NASA's 10th Discovery Mission and 93 percent the size of the sun and 80 telescope primarily found large, gas- was funded by the agency's Science percent as luminous and is located eous giants in very close orbits of their Mission Directorate. approximately 2,700 light-years from stars. Known as "hot Jupiters," these For more information about the Earth in the constellation Cygnus. are easier to detect, due to their size Kepler mission and to view the digital "We only know of one star that and very short orbital periods. Earth press kit, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/ hosts a planet with life, the sun. Find- would take three years to accom- kepler ing a planet in the habitable zone plish the three transits required to be around a star like our sun is a sig- accepted as a planet candidate. As nificant milestone toward finding truly Kepler continues to observe, transit 5 Astrogram June 2013 NASA Ames Sustainability Base wins again! NASA photo by Jon-Pierre Wiens NASA

Acterra, a Silicon Valley-based environmental non-profit, just announced the prestigious 2013 Acterra Business Environmental Awards. NASA Ames' Sustainability Base was selected a winner in the category of Sustainable Built Environment. Sustainability Base (http://www.nasa.gov/sus- tainability-base) advances dual goals of providing a healthy, productive work environment, while pushing the envelope of high-performing buildings by incorporating technologies from NASA's aeronautics and space exploration missions into its built environment. Acterra (www.acterra.org) is a non-profit organization with a 43-year history of environmental stewardship in and around Silicon alley.V

Shin showcases aeronautics Jaiwon Shin, NASA’s Associate Administrator for Aeronautics Research, recently visited Ames and spoke to Ames employees during an All Hands. He discussed the proposed budget for the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) portfolio and the ARMD Strategic Implementation Plan. He also presented

ARMD Associate Administrator Awards to Ames recipients. NASA photo by Eric James Eric by photo NASA

6 Astrogram June 2013 Ames honors support staff on Administrative Professionals Day All civil servant and support service contractors, who in the performance of their tasks complete secretarial, administrative or clerical duties, were invited to attend Administrative Professionals Day, April 25, 2013. Those who attended are shown at left. This was an interactive workshop geared toward the recognition and apprecia- tion of the secretarial, administrative support professionals and clerical support community during Administrative Professionals Week at Ames. This year, secretaries and administrative support staff were recognized for their integral role at Ames with the workshop theme of “Taking a Stand.” This theme highlighted and recognized all the administrative support professionals at Ames and their work supporting the NASA mis- sion. Administrative support professionals were shown some self-defense tactics and learned how to react to a hostile situation (lower right

photo). NASA photos by Dominic Hart Dominic by photos NASA

NASA imaging sensor prepares for Western wildfire season continued from page 2 rithms for scientific programs that remote sensing program manager from its vantage point aboard research monitor changes in environmental with USFS in Monterey, Calif. "The aircraft. The sensor transmits nearly conditions, assess global change and AMS expands our current capabilities real-time data to ground disaster man- respond to natural disasters. and offers efficiencies in a number of agement investigators for analysis. The Autonomous Modular Sensor remote-sensing applications, including The sensor has been modified to will be operated daily over wildfires fire, post-fire and forest health applica- fly on various crewed and uncrewed throughout the United States, provid- tions." platforms, including NASA's Ikhana ing an unprecedented amount of data NASA will continue to support the remotely piloted aircraft, a Predator-B to the fire research and applications Forest Service's use of the Autono- modified to conduct airborne research. communities. USFS also will use the mous Modular Sensor. Researchers Between 2007 and 2010 the AMS flew sensor to support other agency objec- with NASA and other agencies will on the Ikhana and NASA's B-200 King tives, such as vegetation inventory have access to the data and can Air to demonstrate sensor capabilities, analysis, and water and river mapping. request mission use through partner- support national and state emergency "I see tremendous opportunity for ships. requests for wildfire data, and ensure my agency and other land manage- For more information about Au- its operational readiness. ment agencies to benefit from the tonomous Modular Sensor, visit: http:// Data gathered during those flights application of NASA-developed tech- airbornescience.nasa.gov/instrument/ was used to develop and test algo- nology," said Everett Hinkley, national AMS.

7 Astrogram June 2013 SOFIA observations reveal a surprise in massive star formation by Nick Veronico simple, like the cocoons of protostars they foster the formation of smaller Researchers using the airborne with the sun's mass." stars like our sun, and because at the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared The observations of G35 were ends of their lives they create and Astronomy (SOFIA) have captured the made in 2011 with a special cam- distribute chemical elements that are era aboard SOFIA, a the basic building blocks of Earth-like modified Boeing 747SP planets," said co-author James De aircraft that can carry Buizer, a SOFIA staff scientist with the a telescope with an Universities Space Research Associa- effective diameter of tion (USRA) at NASA's Ames Re- 100 inches (2.5 meters) search Center. to altitudes as high as Images of G35 may be viewed on 45,000 feet (13,700 NASA's SOFIA site: http://www.nasa. meters). gov/sofia G35 was an ideal Figures 1a and 1b show FOR- target for investiga- CAST images of G35 at wavelengths tions because it is in an of 31 and 37 microns. Figures 2a and early stage of develop- 2b respectively present G35 images ment. But infrared light obtained by NASA’s Spitzer Space coming from G35 is so Telescope and the Gemini-North strong it prevented in- telescope at Mauna Kea, Hawaii, also frared space telescopes used in this study. Figure 3 shows from making detailed computer model images intended to images. Also, the match characteristics of the central protostar is embedded regions of the images in figures 1a so deeply in its natal and 1b. cloud that it cannot be The model images show greatly detected by optical tele- simplified versions of what is revealed scopes observing from especially in the SOFIA images: a Figures 1a and 1b show the G35 protostar at wavelengths of 31 the ground at visible luminous protostar heating a dense and 37 microns taken by the FORCAST instrument on the SOFIA wavelengths. interstellar cloud from the inside while observatory’s infrared telescope in 2011. (Zhang et al. 2013, Flying high above simultaneously expelling cone-shaped Astrophysical Journal) the light-blocking water jets of gas toward the tops and bot- vapor in Earth's atmo- toms of the frames. The top outflow sphere, the airplane- cone appears brighter because it is most detailed mid-infrared images yet mounted Faint Object Infrared Camera directed toward us and there is less of a massive star condensing within a for the SOFIA Telescope (FORCAST) obscuring material along the line of dense cocoon of dust and gas. enabled astronomers to see G35 sight. The star is G35.20-0.74, com- where monly known as G35. It is one of the it hides most massive known protostars and -- inside a is located relatively close to Earth at a dark, dense, distance of 8,000 light-years. interstellar Until now, scientists expected the dust cloud -- formation process of massive stars by collecting would be complicated by the turbulent, infrared light chaotic environments in the centers escaping of new star clusters where they form. the cloud. But observations of G35 suggest this Uniquely giant star, more than 20 times the suited for mass of our sun, is forming by the this work, same orderly process as do stars with FORCAST the same mass as the sun. Stars most detected like the sun are understood to form by faint de- simple, symmetric collapse of interstel- tails next lar clouds. to bright "The focus of our study has been structures at to determine how massive stars actu- wavelengths ally form," said Yichen Zhang of the inaccessible Figures 2a (left) and 2b (right) present G35 protostar images obtained by University of Florida. Zhang is lead NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope and the Gemini-North telescope at Mauna to any other Kea, Hawaii. (Zhang et al. 2013, Astrophysical Journal) author of a paper about the discovery telescope on published April 10, 2013 in the Astro- the ground physical Journal. "We thought the G35 or in space. The high resolution of the images protostar's structure would be quite "Massive stars, although rare, are showcases the capability of modern complicated, but instead we found it is important because there is evidence continued on page 9 8 Astrogram June 2013 continued from page 9 Figure 3 shows computer model images intended to match characteristics of the central regions of the images of the G35 proto- star in figures 1a and 1b. The model images show greatly simplified versions of what is revealed in the images taken by the FORCAST instrument on the SOFIA observatory's infrared telescope: a lu- minous protostar heating a dense interstellar cloud from the inside while simultaneously expelling cone-shaped jets of gas toward the tops and bot- toms of the frames. The top outflow cone appears brighter because it is directed toward us and there is less obscuring material along the line of sight. (Zhang et al. 2013, Astrophysical Journal)

infrared detector arrays when used on an airborne platform and gives scientists hope that data gathered in this way substantially will ad- NASA's SOFIA marks 100th flight vance their understanding of the Milky Way galaxy. FORCAST was built by a team led by Terry Herter of Cornell Uni- versity in Ithica, N.Y. Co-authors of the Astrophysics Journal paper in- clude scientists from the University of Florida in Gainesville; University of Wisconsin in Madison; University

of California at Berkeley; Louisiana Tschida photo by Tom NASA State University in Baton Rouge; the Arcetri Observatory in Florence, Italy; and the USRA SOFIA science staff at Ames. SOFIA is a joint project of NASA and the German Aerospace Center. SOFIA is based and managed at NASA’s Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif. NASA’s Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., manages the SOFIA science and mission operations in cooperation with the USRA head- quartered in Columbia, Md., and The staff of NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) gathered April the German SOFIA Institute at the 11, 2013 on the ramp outside the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., to mark University of Stuttgart. a milestone—the flying observatory's 100th flight. The airborne observatory departed from the For links to USRA and the Ger- facility that evening on an engineering flight for the German Receiver forAstronomy at Terahertz man SOFIA Institute, visit NASA’s Frequencies (GREAT) spectroscopic receiver. GREAT works like a very high frequency radio SOFIA site and click on “SOFIA receiver that detects light waves rather than light particles. The GREAT instrument was devel- Science Center.” oped by a consortium of German research institutes led by the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy in Bonn, Germany.

9 Astrogram June 2013 Bob Rubin, astrophysicist and student mentor, passes away Bob Rubin’s, 1941 - 2013, home- the University of Illinois, after which he ture nebula - Orion Enterprises: town was Philadelphia, Pa. He com- taught for several years at Cal State http://spacescience.arc.nasa.gov/ pleted undergraduate and graduate Fullerton. staff/robert-rubin and http://space- studies at Case Western Reserve In 1980, Bob moved to NASA science.arc.nasa.gov/~rubin/ . Ames where he began modeling H II One of the most significant aspects regions to interpret measurements of of Bob's legacy is the many students far infrared emission made from the that he mentored over the years. He Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO) always involved students in his re- by Ed Erickson’s group. For example, search activities, attracting them both combined with the group’s data, the from local high schools and through models established gradients as a various Ames programs that support function of distance from the Galactic college students for a semester or a Center in the abundances of nitrogen, summer. Often Bob included them oxygen, neon, and sulfur relative to as co-authors on his papers, deserv- hydrogen, and provided evidence for edly for their efforts and in gratitude the previously unsuspected presence for their help. Many of his high school of hot stars in the vicinity of the Galac- students have gone on to study at top- tic Center. rated American universities. To further our understanding of In his younger days, Bob enjoyed Robert H. Rubin the structure and composition of ion- piloting planes, running and hiking. ized nebulae, Bob conceived observ- He was an avid fan of competitive ing programs to measure spectral sports, especially track and field, and University in Cleveland, Ohio. His lines from galactic and extra-galactic was enthusiastic about any team from advisor, Robert Hjellming, was inter- sources to compare with his models. Philadelphia. Bob’s “Door” collection ested in the physics of H II regions Recently, he had been working of some 200 non-astronomy Orion – interstellar clouds of gas ionized by to deduce the unobservable extreme references was a favorite hobby: nearby hot stars. He ignited in Bob an ultra-violet spectral energy distribu- http://www-space.arc.nasa.gov/~rubin/ interest in such objects that endured tions of hot stars that are critical to door8.html . the rest of his life. the relevant physics in these nebulae. He valued and spoke often of Bob’s thesis included a detailed Via successful proposals, he obtained his collaborators and friends, both model for the photoionization and data on both H II regions and plane- from Ames and elsewhere. The latter thermal structure of an H II region. tary nebulae with various radio tele- included Reggie Dufour (Rice U.), Bob This was the first such model to ac- scopes, the KAO, the Hubble Space O’Dell (Vanderbilt U.), Ben Zuckerman curately incorporate radiative transfer Telescope, the Infrared Space Obser- (UCLA), Pat Palmer (U. Chicago), and of the ionizing photons, and, conse- vatory, the Spitzer Space Telescope, others all over the world. It is a credit quently, Bob's continually updated the Herschel Space Observatory, and to NASA Ames that it accommodates NEBULA code has been used ex- most recently, SOFIA. dedicated, accomplished and produc- tensively ever since. After receiving Bob consistently supported his tive scientists like Bob Rubin. his PhD in 1967, Bob took postdoc- research at Ames with such proposals, Bob passed away on March 3, toral positions at the National Radio funded by NASA through his personal 2013. He will be missed and well-re- Astronomy Observatory and then at venture - named for his favorite, signa- membered by his many colleagues. Edie Watson, former secretary to Hans Mark and Harvey Allen, dies Edie Watson began her career Watson to manage the director’s suite. at Ames in 1945, when it was part When Hans Mark arrived as director of NACA, working in the Electrical in February 1969, Watson stayed on Section. Her husband, William “Sput” and introduced him to how things got Watson, was stationed as a U.S. naval done at NASA. As the top profes- officer at Moffett Field. In 1946, they sional secretary at Ames, she set both moved back to their hometown of policy and an open and efficient tone Shellman, Ga. Soon after, Sput was for the Center’s administrative staff. offered the job of Industrial Relations Her direct staff of three handled the officer at Moffett and they returned to director’s calendar, all international the Bay Area. As she was lunching travel, and all correspondence for the with old friends at Ames, she ran into research projects. She was, then, the Deputy Director Jack Parsons, who unofficial historian of the Center, and asked her to return to work at Ames. collected an important set of docu- From 1946 to 1954, she worked ments. for Harvey Allen in the High Speed “Edie was the friendly face of Research Division, answering the tele- Ames, always caring,” remembers Edie Watson phone and directing correspondence Jack Boyd, who also came to rely for such aerospace luminaries as upon her. “She was the soul of profes- awarded her as the Most Congenial Walter Vincenti, Dean Chapman and sionalism and honored to be part of Golfer and, in retirement, she worked Charlie Hall. In 1954, Ralph Hunts- the NACA and NASA mission. She on her golf game and volunteered with berger, head of the new design group was a devoted friend and always will- the Navy League. She survived three for the national Unitary Plan Wind ing to help the Ames family as well as loving husbands. Sput died in 1976, Tunnels lured Watson away to support the newcomers on Center.” Harvey Kuhr in 1996, and William his division, where she worked for a Following 30 years of govern- Blackman in 2005. Born just three decade. When Harvey Allen became ment service, Watson retired in June days after NACA, she died April 21, at director in October 1965, he asked 1975. The Ames Golf Club perpetually the age of 98. 10 Astrogram June 2013 Ames Ongoing Monthly Events Calendar Exchange Information Ames Jazz Band Club, Bldg. 944, 5:30 African American Advisory Group (AAAG) Information about products, services and opportuni- Mtg., last Tuesday of each month, 12 - 1 p.m., p.m. - 7 p.m., POC: Ralph Bach, email: ties provided to the employee and contractor com- Bldg. N255 Rm 101C. POC: Rose King, ext. [email protected] munity by the Ames Exchange Council. Visit our 4-3442. web site at: http://exchange.arc.nasa.gov Jetstream Toastmasters, Mondays, 12 p.m. Moffett Aikido Club, Monday and Wednes- - 1 p.m., Bldg. N-269/Rm.179. POC: Tim Beyond Galileo Gift Shop N-235 in the day evenings, 6:30 p.m., Bldg. 944. Aikido Steiger, ext. 4-0195, [email protected]. cafeteria, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., ext. 4-6873 is a non-competitive, defensive martial art Web: http://jetstream.freetoasthost.com Visitor Center Gift Shop (Exploration known as the “Way of Harmony.” POC: Diane Center), Tues-Fri, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sat. - Pereda (650) 575-9070 or Robert Dean (650) Ames Nimble Knitters Club, every Tuesday Sun, 12 - 4 p.m., ext. 4--5412 787-1007, email: [email protected] at 11:30 a.m., Bldg. N210/Rm 141. POC: Remember to purchase your baby shower, birthday Rosalyn Jung, [email protected] or Diane and holiday gifts at Ames’ two gift shops! Ames Amateur Radio Club, third Thurs., of Alexander at ext. 4-3140. URL: http://knit.arc. Mega Bites Cafeteria N-235, 6 a.m. to each month, 12 noon, N-T28 (across from nasa.gov 2 p.m., ext. 4-5969/Catering ext. 4-2161 N-255). POC: George Tucker, at ext. 4-2200. Ames Roller Hockey Club, meets daily Barcelona Café Bldg. 3, 6:30 a.m. to Ames Bluegrass Club, every Tuesday from from noon to 1 p.m. at rink on north end of 2 p.m., ext. 4-4948/Catering ext. 4-4948 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Bldg. 944. Players of all the 80-foot-by-120-foot wind tunnel, Players instruments and all levels are welcome, but we should have experience skating and must See daily menus at: http://exchange.arc. nasa.gov/cafe/menu.html are particularly interested in experienced play- wear protective equipment. ers willing to help improve the group’s musical Moffett Field Golf Club with ‘Tee minus , third Thursday of skills. POC: Bob Haberle at ext: 4-5494 or Ames Safety Committee One’ Grill and Sports Bar. Catering avail- email: [email protected] each month, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m., Bldg. N-237, able. Call (650) 603-8026. Extended Happy Rm. 200. POC: John Livacich, jlivacich@ Hour Thursdays, $5 and $6 pitchers of beer Ames Bocce Ball Club, Ames’ newest Ex- mail.arc.nasa.gov, ext. 4-3243. starting at 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. change-sponsored club is seeking members. POC: Mike Lindsay email: michael.c.lindsay@ Women’s Influence Network (WIN), first RV Lots available. Call to reserve a space at (650) 254-1808. nasa.gov Wednesday of each month, Bldg. 241 room 237, 11:30 - 12:30 p.m., POC: Elena Serna, Civilian/Contractors, $50/mo; military $25/mo Ames Bowling League, Homestead Lanes [email protected] (650) 603-7100 Thursdays at 6 p.m. Need substitute bowl- NASA Lodge (N-19) ers. Sign up questions: Steve Howard at ext. Orphanage Without Borders Mtg., Where to stay when you’re too tired to drive home? 4-4884. Mondays, Buiding 211, Room 205, 11:30 What about the lodge?! Two types of rooms: Bldg. a.m.-12:30 p.m. The mission of Orphanage 19 (43 rooms), rate: $65/night ($5 ea add’l adult); Ames Contractor Council Mtg., first Weds. Without Borders (OWB) is to improve the Bldg. 583 A&B (150 rooms), rate: $55/night ($5 ea. of each month, 11 a.m., Bldg. N-200, Commit- lives of children living in orphanages and add’l adult); B547 rate $60/night (for large groups) tee Room. POC: Herb Finger at ext. 4-6598. abandoned children. Our goal is to create a network of organizations that work together to Ames Swim Center (N-109) (650) 603-8025 The swimming pool is now open. Hours of operation Ames Federal Employees Union (AFEU) provide children worldwide with the accept- able standards of life such as education, are as follows: Mtg, third Wednesday of each month, noon. Lap swim only: Bldg. N-204, Rm. 101. Guests welcome. health, hygiene, discipline, affection, respon- sibility, hope of future, shelter, nutrition, clean MWF 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Check for occasional schedule changes at: MWF 3 p.m.-6 p.m. http://www.afeu.org. POC: Paul K. Davis, ext. water, joy and safety. We aim to apply these TTH 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 4-5916. standards universally, meaning that they will TTH 4 p.m.-7 p.m. The pool is heated year round. be independent of the nationality, religion, The pool normally is available for lap swim, pool Ames Golf Club, Members have the opportu- culture, race, political opinion or social class parties and special events. POC: Ryan Storms, Pool Manager (650) 603-8025. Memberships: nity to play approximately 13 tournaments per of the children or orphanage location. For additional information contact Miguel at single memberships: $60/yr. Family memberships: year at a variety of 18-hole golf courses in the $80/yr. After purchasing a membership, there is an Bay and Monterey Area. POC: Barry Sullivan: [email protected] or [email protected]. entrance fee: daily entrance fee - $3/day or lap pass [email protected]. fee - $50 for 20 uses. Platinum membership - $380/ yr. (no daily fee). Special events: include military Physical Inventory Underway Ames Green Team (formerly the Green Ames training, swim team events, kayak role practice, etc. Working Group) meetings are held the first Ames’ annual 100 percent wall-to-wall physical The cost for special events is $75/hr, or $50/hr for Tuesday of each month in N237, Room inventory for NASA tagged, bar-coded property military. 101, from 10-11 a.m. For information, call is proceeding as scheduled. As a reminder, all Roger Ashbaugh, Ames Environmental controlled equipment documented on a NASA Exchange Basketball Gym is now open, Bldg. 2 Form 892 “Employee Property Pass/Loan (650) 603-9717 Management Division, ext. 4-5660. Hours of operation: http://environmentalmanagement.arc.nasa. Agreement and Removal Permit” must have their NF 892 up to date. Employees are en- M-F 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. gov/reports/eo-13514.html M-F 4 p.m.-7 p.m. couraged to bring in that property for scanning. Chase Park reservations, call ext. 4-4948 The Hispanic Advisory Committee for Property passes are assigned to those people NACA Park reservations, call ext. 4-4948 Excellence (HACE) Mtg., first Thursday of authorized to carry government equipment on each month, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Bldg. and off Ames Research Center. If you have N-255, Rm. 101C. POC: Jeanette Zamora, questions, contact Nelson Japlit at ext. 4-3428. [email protected]. Ames Cat Network The Ames Cat Network needs help finding homes for cats trapped at Moffett. They range from feral to abandoned/lost pets. Ames emergency announcements They are tested, altered and inoculated. To hear the centerwide status recording, call (650) 604-9999 for information Call Iris at ext. 4-5824 if you or someone announcements and emergency instructions for Ames employees. You also you know are interested in fostering or may listen to 1700 KHz AM radio for the same information. adopting a cat.

11 Astrogram June 2013 Protective Services Simpson bowls 300 monthly activity A statistical summary of activities of the Protective Service Division’s Security/Law Enforcement and Fire

Protection Services units for the three-month period photo NASA ending April 2013 is shown below. Security/Law Enforcement Activity

Fire Protection Activity

Recently, Chris Simpson (Code I) shown above, bowled a perfect 300 game in the All Ames Bowling league. The Ames Bowling League plays at the Homestead Lanes Thursdays at 6 p.m. For sign up questions, contact Steve Howard at ext. 4-4884.

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The Ames Astrogram is an official publication of Ames Research Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Managing Editor...... Michael Mewhinney Editor, Layout and Design...... Astrid Terlep You can reach the Astrogram Office at: astrogram @mail.arc.nasa.gov or by phone at (650) 604- 3347. Astrogram Web site: http://www.nasa.gov/ ames/astrogram. PLEASE RECYCLE Printed on recycled and recyclable paper with vegetable-based ink. 12 Astrogram June 2013