SPACE/COSMOS
Space tourists' experience might be affected by how their parasympathetic nervous system functions, per study of novice passengers during and after zero-gravity parabolic flights
PLOS
image:
Impact of 0g parabolic flights on space tourists experience.
view moreCredit: Barbara Le Roy, CC-BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Article URL: https://plos.io/4i5KjCB
Article title: Effects of repeated gravity changes during parabolic flight: Evidence of the need to assist space tourists to outer space
Author countries: France
Funding: This research has received a grant from the CNES (number 4800001159). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
Journal
PLOS One
Article Title
Effects of repeated gravity changes during parabolic flight: Evidence of the need to assist space tourists to outer space
Article Publication Date
23-Apr-2025
SETI Institute to honor contributions to exoplanet research with its Carl Sagan Center Director’s Award
The CSC Director’s Award honors SETI Institute scientists for outstanding achievements in astrobiology, technology, and exploration of life in the universe.
SETI Institute
image:
Dr. Joseph Twicken
view moreCredit: SETI Institute
SETI Institute to Honor Contributions to Exoplanet Research with its Carl Sagan Center Director’s Award
April 23, 2025, Mountain View, CA – The SETI Institute will recognize Dr. Joseph Twicken, Senior Data Scientist at the SETI Institute, with its 2025 Carl Sagan Center (CSC) Director’s Award. Now serving as the Lead Data Scientist in the TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) Science Processing Center, Twicken’s contributions to the Kepler Mission included designing, implementing, operating, maintaining and documenting the mission’s Data Processing Pipeline. Kepler revolutionized exoplanet science, discovering and confirming nearly 3,000 exoplanets and fundamentally changing our understanding of planets beyond our solar system.
SETI Institute to Honor Contributions to Exoplanet Research with its Carl Sagan Center Director’s Award CSC Director’s Award honors SETI Institute scientists for outstanding achievements in astrobiology, technology, and exploration of life in the universe. Beyond excellence in science, the awardees must demonstrate their commitment to mentoring and educating the next generation of scientists and sharing the excitement of exploration and discovery with the public. The SETI Institute’s Science Council peers select the recipient presented annually during the Drake Awards celebration.
The award pays homage to the legacy of Carl Sagan, a former SETI Institute Board member, whose pioneering work in space science continues to inspire scientists and the public.
“Dr. Twicken has been central to the success of both the Kepler and TESS exoplanet finding missions,” said Dr. Jeffrey Smith, SETI Institute Data Scientist. “There is no other person who has done more technical work to ensure both the Kepler and TESS pipelines, and science results are a success. Joe has helped countless scientists with the interpretation of the Kepler and TESS data products and has contributed to so many discovery papers. He has been a great mentor to many people, including myself, who have ventured into Kepler and TESS science research.”
“Joseph’s work has shaped some of the most important discoveries in exoplanet science,” said Dr. Nathalie Cabrol, Director, Carl Sagan Center for Research at the SETI Institute. “From Kepler to TESS, his deep expertise in data science and unwavering dedication have helped open new windows on the cosmos. We are deeply grateful for his presence at the SETI Institute, not only for the brilliance he brings to our mission, but for the integrity, kindness, and quiet excellence that define his every contribution.”
Twicken’s ongoing work with TESS continues to influence our perception of the cosmos. By the end of TESS’ second extended mission in September 2025, the satellite will have surveyed 97% of the sky at least once. TESS has confirmed over 600 exoplanets and nearly 5,000 more candidates are awaiting confirmation.
“I have been fortunate to help enable the exoplanet science revolution,” said Twicken. “As a Senior SETI Institute Scientist, I played a key role in developing the data processing pipelines for NASA’s Kepler and TESS missions. It has been highly gratifying to serve the greater good of the exoplanet science community. With each discovery and follow-up observation, we take another step in the historic search for life beyond Earth.”
The SETI Institute will also present the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Award of Excellence to Sophie Clark, an undergraduate at the University of Florida, who participated in the SETI Institute’s REU program. Clark worked with Dr. Uma Gorti, SETI Institute Research Scientist, on a project exploring protoplanetary disk winds – streams of gas that flow out from the disks surrounding young stars. These winds help the disks shed angular momentum (spin) and transport mass, enabling stars and planets to form.
“Sophie was a truly exceptional intern, far exceeding my expectations at every turn,” said Dr. Uma Gorti, SETI Institute Research Scientist and Clark’s mentor. “She demonstrated intellectual rigor and initiative on par with doctoral students, and her diligence resulted in the development of a model that can interpret new James Webb observations of young stars. I am excited that she has chosen to continue to work on winds for her PhD and look forward to seeing Sophie continue to excel in her career.”
“The SETI Institute REU sparked my passion for studying the dynamics of planet formation, a field I’m eager to continue exploring as a PhD student at the University of Arizona starting this fall,” said Clark.
Twicken and Clark will receive their awards at the 2025 Drake Awards on May 20, 2025, at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, CA. More information and in-person and online event tickets are here: https://www.seti.org/event/2025-drake-awards.
Dr. David Deamer and Dr. John Baross will share this year’s Drake Award in recognition of their research on the origins of life.
Sophie Clark
Credit
SETI Institute
About the SETI Institute
Founded in 1984, the SETI Institute is a non-profit, multi-disciplinary research and education organization dedicated to understanding the origins and prevalence of life and intelligence in the universe and sharing that knowledge with the world. Their research spans the physical and biological sciences and leverages data analytics, machine learning, and advanced signal detection technologies. The SETI Institute partners with industry, academia, and government agencies, including NASA and the National Science Foundation.
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