Scientists at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) have made a fascinating discovery regarding the interaction between Jupiter and its moon Io. Their research has revealed unexpected variations in the electrons connecting the two celestial bodies, shedding new light on the complex dynamics of Jupiter's magnetosphere. This finding challenges previous assumptions and opens new avenues for understanding the intricate relationship between planetary systems. For further reading and more detailed information, please follow the link to the full press release: https://www.swri.org/newsroom/press-releases/swri-scientists-identify-unexpected-variations-electrons-connecting-jupiter-its-moon-io

Patrice Smith said, "We are investigating the stable composition of the Moon's exosphere, which contains a diverse mix of neutral atoms and ions, ranging from abundant to trace species. To assess which species consistently contribute to the exosphere, we extract and analyze long-term far-ultraviolet (FUV) spectra collected from lunar orbit." Student Success! Patrice Smith Named 2025 DPS-NSBP Speaker We're thrilled to share some fantastic news from the recent National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP)/National Society of Hispanic Physicists (NSHP) annual meeting! Our very own graduate student, Patrice Smith (advised by Kurt Retherford), has been awarded the prestigious DPS-NSBP [...]

“We have a really strong base of students here, and I think we’ve got a lot of future space professionals right here among us.”

Published in Nature Communication.