Research introduction

My broad research area is planetary magnetospheres and aurora. I am currently studying Saturn’s auroral emissions using data from the Cassini orbiter and images from the Hubble Space Telescope. The combination of images at UV and IR wavelengths as well as in situ measurements of the magnetic field and plasma, allows us to understand the planetary magnetospheric dynamics and the interaction with the interplanetary medium.

Main publication list

• Badman et al., Location of Saturn’s northern infrared aurora determined from Cassini VIMS images, 2010.
• Badman et al., Significance of Dungey-cycle flows in Jupiter’s and Saturn’s magnetospheres and their identification on closed equatorial field lines, 2007.
• Badman et al., Open flux estimates in Saturn’s magnetosphere during the Jan 2004 Cassini-HST campaign, and implications for reconnection rates, 2005.

Brief career introduction

January 2010 - present: JAXA ITYF at ISAS
October 2007 - January 2010: Post-doctoral researcher in the Radio and Space Plasma Physics group, University of Leicester, UK
October 2007: Completed PhD entitled ‘Solar wind influences on Saturn’s auroral and magnetospheric dynamics’

What I have done at ISAS & what I would like to do at ISAS

I am collaborating with colleagues in the Space Plasma Physics group at ISAS to develop models and interpretation of Saturn’s auroral emissions at different wavelengths in comparison with Jupiter. I am looking forward to utilising data from upcoming JAXA/ISAS missions such as EXCEED (UV spectra of planetary tori), Niihama (Jupiter IR auroral images), JMO (Jupiter orbiter).

Self-introduction

I studied at the University of Leicester in the UK where I obtained a MPhys in Physics with Space Science and Technology and then a PhD on ‘Solar wind influences on Saturn’s auroral and magnetospheric dynamics’. I subsequently worked as a post-doc for two years investigating Earth’s ionosphere, before moving to ISAS to take up the JAXA fellowship in January 2010. In addition to the ISAS research environment and opportunities I enjoy the experience of living in Japan and learning its culture.