George Gloeckler

Distinguished University Professor, Joint/Physics,
Member of the National Academy of Sciences
Physics

Distinguished University Professor Gloeckler has contributed to the field of space plasma physics through pioneering discoveries and the invention of instruments carried on satellites and deep space probes, including the two Voyagers, Ulysses and Cassini. His research combines measurements of the properties of matter in the universe with careful interpretations that address a complex range of questions relating to solar activity, planetary systems, and formation and evolution of objects in the universe. Professor Gloeckler's recent work includes studies of the properties of the local interstellar medium, such as its magnetic field, density and composition of its gas, and its interaction with the solar system. For these studies he uses a new sensing technique that led to his discovery of interstellar gas deep inside the solar system. For example, detailed measurements of this interstellar material have established the present day isotopic ratio of Helium, thus setting new limits on the amount of missing matter in the universe and chemical evolution of stars. Based on composition measurements of the distant solar atmosphere, the solar wind, work is currently in progress to establish the chemical and isotopic abundance of solar material, and to determine the acceleration of the solar wind, which reaches speeds as high as 800 kilometers per second. Working with both NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), Professor Gloeckler has taken part in many of the major space exploration programs of the past twenty-five years. In 1990, an instrument he invented was launched on the NASA/ESA Ulysses spacecraft exploring the polar regions of Jupiter and the sun_work that won him one of his six Group Achievement Awards from NASA. He was the recipient of ESA's Certificate of Valuable Contribution in 1991, and NASA's Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal in 1981 for his work on the Voyager Mission.

Selected publications:

1. Gloeckler G. and J. Geiss, Interstellar and inner source pickup ions observed with SWICS on Ulysses, Space Sci. Revs., 86, 127-59, 1998.
2. Gloeckler G., L.A. Fick, and J. Geiss, Anomalously small magnetic field in the local intersteller cloud, Nature, 386, 374-377, 1997.