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Description:

Exoplanet-host stars with planets at short separations can influence each other (commonly termed the star- planet interaction or SPI), via a variety of mechanisms. Understanding SPI in exoplanet host stars is thus crucial for understanding the evolution of planets (and/or planetary systems) and their host stars, but observational evidence for SPI is generally scarce. An important signature of SPI is UV emission, and time-resolved FUV spectroscopy with HST/COS has provided compelling evidence for, and details of, the SPI phenomenon in HD189733, which has a Jupiter-mass planet. Prospective candidate will work on an analysis of the UV emission from star-exoplanet systems, using archival data from GALEX and HST, as well as a new HST program using COS spectroscopy to investigate SPI in the exoplanet host star Kepler-535, which hosts a 0.2 Jupiter-radius planet.

Field of Science: Astrophysics

Advisors:
Raghvendra Sahai
Raghvendra.Sahai@jpl.nasa.gov
(818) 354-0452

Applications with citizens from Designated Countries will not be accepted at this time, unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the United States. A complete list of Designated Countries can be found at: https://www.nasa.gov/oiir/export-control.

Eligibility is currently open to:

• U.S. Citizens;
• U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR);
• Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J-1 visa status; and,
• Applicants for LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. at the time of application with 1) a valid EAD card and 2) I-485 or I-589 forms in pending status

• Degree: Doctoral Degree.