Astrophysicist, NASA Ames Research Centre, California
Dr Maura Rabbette - Astrophysicist
What have been the main milestones in your career so far?
My first was when I was about 12 years old, when I bought a pair of binoculars and spent many nights observing the starry sky. That was the beginning of a lifelong passion for astronomy.
I took physics and chemistry for the Leaving Certificate, then did a BSc in physics and followed it up with a PhD in astrophysics.
For my thesis I observed some of the most distant and active galaxies in the universe, using the European Space Agency’s most powerful telescopes on the island of La Palma.
How did you go about getting your current job?
Shortly after completing my PhD I applied for a US National Research Council postdoctoral research fellowship, to work in the Space Science Research Laboratory at NASA Ames Research Centre, California.
This research programme, also known as the NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP), gives US and non-US citizens the chance to work at NASA.
It’s an excellent opportunity for Irish postdoctoral scientists and engineers to engage in ongoing NASA research programmes.
On completing my fellowship I was offered other opportunities to stay on at NASA as a research scientist which I was delighted to do – and, of course, living in California has its added benefits.
I would strongly urge any student in Ireland interested in working for NASA to look up its postdoctoral programme.
What are the main tasks and responsibilities?
Over the last decade I have been fortunate to work on some of NASA’s major projects.
I was principal investigator on a project which studied the greenhouse effect on Earth and its implications for other planets. We used a number of NASA’s Earth observing satellites and investigated the strong coupling between ocean warming and greenhouse radiative feedback.
We also looked outwards to other planets, for a better understanding of how our own planet has evolved. We estimated the “habitable zone” – that’s the distance from a star where liquid water can exist on the surface of a planet – of other planets way beyond our own solar system
In recent years much of my time has been taken up with the Kepler project. It’s a very exciting project in which one of the most powerful telescopes ever created was launched into space to look for planets similar to our own.
The challenge is to find terrestrial-size planets where liquid water, and possibly life, might exist.
My responsibilities included development and testing of computer algorithms for automatically analysing the light from thousands of stars in a search for orbiting planets.
I also carried out Kepler instrument tests to ensure that mission requirements were achieved.
What’s cool?
It was very exciting to be part of the Kepler science team and to witness the amazing night launch of NASA’s Kepler spacecraft on board a powerful Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
It was history in the making, because Kepler is NASA’s first mission that seeks to find out if the Earth is unique in the universe.
For the first time in human history we will know if there are Earth-size planets capable of supporting life beyond our solar system.
Having a career as a research scientist also offers many opportunities to work outside the office or laboratory. During my PhD and while working at NASA I’ve spent weeks, sometimes months, in places such as Alaska, Hawaii, Florida, Canary Islands, Japan and Europe.
What is your education to date?
- Leaving Certificate, including Maths, Physics, and Chemistry
- BSc in Physics, NUI Galway
- PhD in Astrophysics, University College Dublin
What aspects of your education have been most important for your job?
It is important to get a broad but good grounding in as many subjects as possible at the Leaving Cert and undergraduate levels, because these will be the tools of your trade as a research scientist.
Apart from studying physics for my BSc, I also studied maths, applied maths, numerical analysis, statistics, chemistry, computer programming and astrophysics.
Finally, English is important because, as a scientist, sharing information is an integral part of your work. You have to continuously write papers, reports and proposals and give oral presentations at conferences and seminars.
What have been the most rewarding events in your career so far?
For my PhD research I used large optical telescopes to look deep into the universe. It was very exciting to find active galaxies with evidence of giant black holes at their centres.
I suppose the European Space Agency fellowship, and then the NASA postdoctoral fellowship, were great milestones in my career – they opened up many opportunities for me.
It was a memorable occasion to be surrounded by family and friends as I watched the spectacular launch of the Kepler spacecraft as it started its mission.
What are the three most important personal characteristics required for the job?
- An inquisitive mind
- Being self motivated and enjoying your work
- Perseverance – being able to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and tackle the problem from another angle
What kinds of work experience would provide a good background for your type of work?
I would recommend applying for space science or astronomy summer schools.
While working on my PhD I was fortunate enough to win a European Space Agency fellowship to represent Ireland at the International Space University summer school in Barcelona.
It was a great opportunity to study and work with astrophysicists, astronauts, space scientists and engineers from over 40 countries. It was a fantastic academic and cultural experience.
I became part of the ISU alumni network and as a result I have friends and contacts in various universities and space agencies around the world.
Learn more
Find out more about the NASA Postdoctoral Programme and how to apply
Check out the ISU Space Studies programme
Visit NASA’s Kepler mission website
