Astronomy Dept. eyes spacecraft

Several members of the University's Astronomy Department have had their heads in the clouds lately. They are participating in a NASA-sponsored study of a spacecraft that is analyzing stars' light spectrums. The spacecraft, which is orbiting the Earth, contains a telescope that allows observers to see a larger and clearer picture of stars, explained Ray Pfeiffer, a physics professor at Trenton State College. The study is a joint operation between NASA and the European Space Agency, Pfeiffer said. Both organizations have contributed to the construction and operation of the spacecraft. Scientists normally monitor such spacecrafts from Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., according to Pfeiffer. But a direct internet computer connection stationed at the University allows members of the team to work remotely with the spacecraft from the University. Pfeiffer is working with Astronomy Professor Robert Koch, astrophysics graduate student Ioannis Pachoulakis and Dave Sticklend, a member of the Research Council in Great Britain. Pfeiffer said the team will be performing basic research consisting of looking at the spectrum of stars and extracting information from them. "By studying many stars, we get a better view of the universe," Pfeiffer said. Members of the team had to undergo a very competitive process to gain the opportunity to participate in such a program, Pfeiffer said. "It's very exhilarating to be participating in such a project as this," Pachoulakis said. Pachoulakis, who has been working for Koch for three years, writes software for the project, reduces data on the computer and in previous years has performed research at Goddard. "At times things can get very tedious, like when we're waiting for the exposure of the spectrum every hour," he added. "It is rather slow-paced."