For more than 30 years, the planetarium has given Morgantown and the surrounding
communities a glimpse into worlds beyond our own with the support of the
Department of Physics and Astronomy and the
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University.
She created the first three-dimensional diffusion model that
reproduces the strong enhancement of outer belt electrons during a
geomagnetic storm. The model is the first of its kind to incorporate
real-time information on the physical processes and thus accurately
model the radiation belt enhancement. In addition, Tu has developed the
first model to account for radiation belt dropouts and newly discovered
loss processes due to anomalous geometrics of Earth’s magnetic fields.
Understanding these electrons and processes are crucial in reducing the
hazardous radiative environment within which spacecrafts and
communication satellites currently operate.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Studying topics as varied as space science to sustainability, four West Virginia University researchers have been named Faculty Early Career Development Program award winners by the National Science Foundation.
