Margaret Shea (scientist)

Last updated
Margaret Ann Shea
Alma mater University of New Hampshire
University of Tasmania, Australia
Scientific career
Institutions Air Force Research Laboratory
Thesis Cosmic ray cutoff rigidities and associated solar-terrestrial phenomena  (2001)

Margaret Ann ("Peggy") Shea is a space scientist known for research on the connections between cosmic radiation and Earth's magnetic field.

Contents

Education and career

Shea graduated from Portsmouth High School (New Hampshire) in 1954 [1] [ better source needed ] and was the top student in her high school math and physics classes. [2] In college, she monitored cosmic rays in New Hampshire [3] and was one of three women who entered the College of Technology at the University of New Hampshire. On the first day of an engineering class the instructor announced "Well, fellas, we've got two girls in here. How fast can we get 'em out?" [2] She persisted and earned an undergraduate degree in 1958 and a masters in 1961, [4] when she was the first women to earn an advanced degree in the physics department at the University of New Hampshire. [5] [6] She worked briefly at the University of Hawaii and AVCO Corporation. [5] [ when? ] In 1964 [7] she joined the Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories. [5] Shea earned a D.Sc. from the University of Tasmania, Australia, in 2001; [8] [9] at the time she was 64 years old. [3] Shea became an emeritus scientist at the Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories. [5] [ when? ] In 2018, the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of New Hampshire honored her with the Distinguished Alumni Award and an honorary degree. [8]

As of 2021, she is co-editor for special issues of Advances in Space Research . [10]

Research

Shea is known for her research connecting cosmic rays, solar particles, and the Earth's magnetic field. [11] [12] Her research on vertical cutoff rigidities [13] led to the development of a computer program, the Geomagnetic Cutoff Rigidity Computer Program, [14] [15] which set the standard for the amount of radiation that pilots and astronauts can encounter. [16] Shea's research includes an investigation into the Solar storm of August 1972 which set off a Coronal mass ejection, magnetized clouds of gas, which caused mines to detonate in Vietnam. [17] [18] Shea has also worked on solar cosmic ray events in ice [19] and considered the changes in solar proton events over the time period from 1561 to 1950, which included comparisons to the Carrington Event, a solar flare that occurred in September 1859. [20]

Selected publications

Awards and honors

Personal life

Shea is married to Don Smart, a fellow space scientist. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aurora</span> Natural luminous atmospheric effect observed chiefly at high latitudes

An aurora , also commonly known as the northern lights or southern lights, is a natural light display in Earth's sky, predominantly seen in high-latitude regions. Auroras display dynamic patterns of brilliant lights that appear as curtains, rays, spirals, or dynamic flickers covering the entire sky.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Van Allen radiation belt</span> Zone of energetic charged particles around the planet Earth

A Van Allen radiation belt is a zone of energetic charged particles, most of which originate from the solar wind, that are captured by and held around a planet by that planet's magnetosphere. Earth has two such belts, and sometimes others may be temporarily created. The belts are named after James Van Allen, who is credited with their discovery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Space weather</span> Branch of space physics and aeronomy

Space weather is a branch of space physics and aeronomy, or heliophysics, concerned with the varying conditions within the Solar System and its heliosphere. This includes the effects of the solar wind, especially in the Earth's magnetosphere, ionosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. Though physically distinct, space weather is analogous to the terrestrial weather of Earth's atmosphere. The term "space weather" was first used in the 1950s and popularized in the 1990s. Later, it prompted research into "space climate", the large-scale and long-term patterns of space weather.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geomagnetic storm</span> Disturbance of the Earths magnetosphere

A geomagnetic storm, also known as a magnetic storm, is temporary disturbance of the Earth's magnetosphere caused by a solar wind shock wave.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coronal mass ejection</span> Ejecta from the Suns corona

A coronal mass ejection (CME) is a significant ejection of magnetic field and accompanying plasma mass from the Sun's corona into the heliosphere. CMEs are often associated with solar flares and other forms of solar activity, but a broadly accepted theoretical understanding of these relationships has not been established.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cluster II (spacecraft)</span> European Space Agency mission

Cluster II is a space mission of the European Space Agency, with NASA participation, to study the Earth's magnetosphere over the course of nearly two solar cycles. The mission is composed of four identical spacecraft flying in a tetrahedral formation. As a replacement for the original Cluster spacecraft which were lost in a launch failure in 1996, the four Cluster II spacecraft were successfully launched in pairs in July and August 2000 onboard two Soyuz-Fregat rockets from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. In February 2011, Cluster II celebrated 10 years of successful scientific operations in space. In February 2021, Cluster II celebrated 20 years of successful scientific operations in space. As of March 2023, its mission has been extended until September 2024. The China National Space Administration/ESA Double Star mission operated alongside Cluster II from 2004 to 2007.

A Forbush decrease is a rapid decrease in the observed galactic cosmic ray intensity following a coronal mass ejection (CME). It occurs due to the magnetic field of the plasma solar wind sweeping some of the galactic cosmic rays away from Earth. The term Forbush decrease was named after the American physicist Scott E. Forbush, who studied cosmic rays in the 1930s and 1940s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Van Allen Probes</span> NASA Earth magnetosphere investigator satellites

The Van Allen Probes, formerly known as the Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP), were two robotic spacecraft that were used to study the Van Allen radiation belts that surround Earth. NASA conducted the Van Allen Probes mission as part of the Living With a Star program. Understanding the radiation belt environment and its variability has practical applications in the areas of spacecraft operations, spacecraft system design, mission planning and astronaut safety. The probes were launched on 30 August 2012 and operated for seven years. Both spacecraft were deactivated in 2019 when they ran out of fuel. They are expected to deorbit during the 2030s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carrington Event</span> Geomagnetic storm in 1859

The Carrington Event was the most intense geomagnetic storm in recorded history, peaking from 1 to 2 September 1859 during solar cycle 10. It created strong auroral displays that were reported globally and caused sparking and even fires in multiple telegraph stations. The geomagnetic storm was most likely the result of a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the Sun colliding with Earth's magnetosphere.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar cycle 20</span> Solar activity from October 1964 to March 1976

Solar cycle 20 was the twentieth solar cycle since 1755, when extensive recording of solar sunspot activity began. The solar cycle lasted 11.4 years, beginning in October 1964 and ending in March 1976. The maximum smoothed sunspot number observed during the solar cycle was 156.6, and the starting minimum was 14.3. During the minimum transit from solar cycle 20 to 21, there were a total of 272 days with no sunspots.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bastille Day solar storm</span> Solar storm on 14-16 July 2000

The Bastille Day solar storm was a powerful solar storm on 14-16 July 2000 during the solar maximum of solar cycle 23. The storm began on the national day of France, Bastille Day. It involved a solar flare, a solar particle event, and a coronal mass ejection which caused a severe geomagnetic storm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar particle event</span> Solar phenomenon

In solar physics, a solar particle event (SPE), also known as a solar energetic particle (SEP) event or solar radiation storm, is a solar phenomenon which occurs when particles emitted by the Sun, mostly protons, become accelerated either in the Sun's atmosphere during a solar flare or in interplanetary space by a coronal mass ejection shock. Other nuclei such as helium and HZE ions may also be accelerated during the event. These particles can penetrate the Earth's magnetic field and cause partial ionization of the ionosphere. Energetic protons are a significant radiation hazard to spacecraft and astronauts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">STEVE</span> Atmospheric optical phenomenon, which appears as a light ribbon in the sky

STEVE is an atmospheric optical phenomenon that appears as a purple and green light ribbon in the sky, named in late 2016 by aurora watchers from Alberta, Canada. According to analysis of satellite data from the European Space Agency's Swarm mission, the phenomenon is caused by a 25 km (16 mi) wide ribbon of hot plasma at an altitude of 450 km (280 mi), with a temperature of 3,000 °C and flowing at a speed of 6 km/s (3.7 mi/s). The phenomenon is not rare, but had not been investigated and described scientifically prior to that time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">August 1972 solar storms</span> Solar storms during solar cycle 20

The solar storms of August 1972 were a historically powerful series of solar storms with intense to extreme solar flare, solar particle event, and geomagnetic storm components in early August 1972, during solar cycle 20. The storm caused widespread electric‐ and communication‐grid disturbances through large portions of North America as well as satellite disruptions. On 4 August 1972 the storm caused the accidental detonation of numerous U.S. naval mines near Haiphong, North Vietnam. The coronal mass ejection (CME)'s transit time from the Sun to the Earth is the fastest ever recorded.

Richard Mansergh Thorne was an American physicist and a distinguished professor in the department of atmospheric and oceanic sciences at UCLA. He was known for his contributions to space plasma physics. He was a fellow of the American Geophysical Union.

David Breed Beard was a space physicist, known for "pioneering work on the shapes and structures of planetary magnetospheres, Jovian radio emissions, and comets."

Lynn Kistler is a physicist known for her research on the magnetosphere that protects Earth from radiation from space.

Antoinette (Toni) Galvin is space physicist at the University of New Hampshire. She is known for her research on the solar wind.

Vania Koleva Jordanova is a physicist known for her work on space weather and geomagnetic storms. She was elected a fellow of the American Geophysical Union in 2021.

References

  1. ↑ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2021-08-14.
  2. 1 2 3 Stuart, Virginia. "UNH Magazine: The Road Taken". unhmagazine.unh.edu. Retrieved 2021-08-14.
  3. 1 2 "From UNH to Adventures in Solar-Terrestrial Physics". University of New Hampshire. Retrieved 2021-08-14.
  4. ↑ Shea, Margaret Ann (1961). "Solar cosmic-ray production in November, 1960". unh.primo.exlibrisgroup.com. Retrieved 2021-08-14.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Margaret A. Shea". Honors Program. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
  6. ↑ Read "Readiness for the Upcoming Solar Maximum" at NAP.edu. 1998. doi:10.17226/9518. ISBN   978-0-309-58379-4.
  7. 1 2 3 Radiation and the International Space Station: Recommendations to Reduce Risk. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press. 2000-02-25. doi:10.17226/9725. ISBN   978-0-309-06885-7.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Payette, Brooks (2018-10-11). "Blazing the Trail". UNH Today. Retrieved 2021-08-14.
  9. ↑ Shea, M. A. (2001). Cosmic ray cutoff rigidities and associated solar-terrestrial phenomena (dsc thesis). University of Tasmania.
  10. ↑ "Editorial Board - Advances in Space Research - Journal - Elsevier". journals.elsevier.com. Retrieved 2021-08-14.
  11. ↑ Shea, M. A.; Smart, D. F. (1990). "A summary of major solar proton events". Solar Physics. 127 (2): 297–320. Bibcode:1990SoPh..127..297S. doi:10.1007/BF00152170. ISSN   0038-0938. S2CID   120707293.
  12. ↑ Shea, M.A. (2000). "Fifty years of cosmic radiation data". Space Science Reviews. 93 (1/2): 229–262. Bibcode:2000SSRv...93..229S. doi:10.1023/A:1026500713452. S2CID   189770159.
  13. ↑ Shea, M. A.; Smart, D. F.; McCracken, K. G. (1965-09-01). "A study of vertical cutoff rigidities using sixth degree simulations of the geomagnetic field". Journal of Geophysical Research. 70 (17): 4117–4130. Bibcode:1965JGR....70.4117S. doi:10.1029/JZ070i017p04117. hdl: 2027/mdp.39015095127786 .
  14. ↑ Smart, D. F.; Shea, M. A. (2001-01-18). "Geomagnetic Cutoff Rigidity Computer Program: Theory, Software Description and Example". NASA Sti/Recon Technical Report N. 01: 71976. Bibcode:2001STIN...0171976S.
  15. ↑ Shea, M. A.; Smart, D. F.; McCracken, K. G. (1965). "A study of vertical cutoff rigidities using sixth degree simulations of the geomagnetic field". Journal of Geophysical Research. 70 (17): 4117–4130. Bibcode:1965JGR....70.4117S. doi:10.1029/JZ070i017p04117. hdl: 2027/mdp.39015095127786 . ISSN   2156-2202.
  16. ↑ Smart, D.F.; Shea, M.A. (2009). "Fifty years of progress in geomagnetic cutoff rigidity determinations". Advances in Space Research. 44 (10): 1107–1123. Bibcode:2009AdSpR..44.1107S. doi:10.1016/j.asr.2009.07.005.
  17. ↑ Knipp, Delores J.; Fraser, Brian J.; Shea, M. A.; Smart, D. F. (2018). "On the Little-Known Consequences of the 4 August 1972 Ultra-Fast Coronal Mass Ejecta: Facts, Commentary, and Call to Action". Space Weather. 16 (11): 1635–1643. Bibcode:2018SpWea..16.1635K. doi: 10.1029/2018SW002024 . ISSN   1542-7390.
  18. ↑ Strain, Daniel (2018-11-12). "A 1972 solar storm triggered a Vietnam War mystery". CU Boulder Today. Retrieved 2021-08-14.
  19. ↑ McCracken, K. G.; Dreschhoff, G. A. M.; Zeller, E. J.; Smart, D. F.; Shea, M. A. (2001-10-01). "Solar cosmic ray events for the period 1561-1994: 1. Identification in polar ice, 1561-1950". Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics. 106 (A10): 21585–21598. Bibcode:2001JGR...10621585M. doi: 10.1029/2000JA000237 .
  20. ↑ Shea, M.A.; Smart, D.F.; McCracken, K.G.; Dreschhoff, G.A.M.; Spence, H.E. (2006). "Solar proton events for 450 years: The Carrington event in perspective". Advances in Space Research. 38 (2): 232–238. Bibcode:2006AdSpR..38..232S. doi:10.1016/j.asr.2005.02.100.
  21. ↑ Liebowitz, Ruth P.; Kindler, Evelyn M. (September 26, 1995). "Chronology: from the Air Force Geophysics Laboratory to the Geophysics Directorate, Phillips Laboratory, 1985-1995" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  22. ↑ "Shea Receives Waldo E. Smith Medal". Eos, Transactions American Geophysical Union. 80 (8): 91, 95. 1999. doi: 10.1029/99EO00062 . ISSN   0096-3941.
  23. ↑ "Fellows Search". honors.agu.org. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
  24. ↑ "Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) » COSPAR Distinguished Service Medal". cosparhq.cnes.fr. Retrieved 2021-08-14.
  25. ↑ "2019 AGU Section Awardees and Named Lecturers". Eos. 31 July 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.