Sarah A. Spitzer
I received a Ph.D. in space science and engineering from the University of Michigan with a focus on Heliophysics in situ observations, especially related to heliospheric and interstellar interactions. I analyzed pickup ion data from ACE/SWICS to track the evolution of the interstellar wind through the heliosphere over a complete solar cycle and worked on the characterization for the geometric factor under laboratory conditions of the Heavy Ion Sensor onboard Solar Orbiter (SO-HIS). During my postdoctoral research, I have been continuing my research on pickup ion measurements and extending the SO-HIS instrument characterization to include a spaceflight voltage analysis as well as a characterization of the detector efficiencies and elevation acceptance ranges.
I additionally hold master's degrees in space science and engineering as well as electrical and computer engineering with a focus in robotics and embedded systems and graduate certificates in plasma science and engineering and graduate teaching. I have a bachelor's degree in computer engineering with minors in multidisciplinary design in engineering and in Near Eastern studies.
Latest articles by Sarah A. Spitzer
Scientists call the region of space influenced by the sun the heliosphere – but without an interstellar probe, they don't know much about its shape
By Sarah A. Spitzer published
The sun warms the Earth, making it habitable for people and animals. But that's not all it does, and it affects a much larger area of space.
Get the Space.com Newsletter
Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!