Sciences and Exploration Directorate

Sonya I Lyatsky

(RESEARCH SCIENTIST)

Sonya I Lyatsky's Contact Card & Information.
Email: sonya.lyatsky@nasa.gov
Phone: 301.286.2539
Org Code: 673
Address:
NASA/GSFC
Mail Code 673
Greenbelt, MD 20771
Employer: CATHOLIC UNIV OF AMERICA

Positions/Employment


Research Scientist

Institute of Astrophysics & Computational Sciences, The Catholic University of America - 620 Michigan Ave., NE, Washington DC 20064

February 2018 - Present

In the previous research (Lyatskaya et al. 2014, 2015, 2016), we used numerical simulation to model and study the effect of the inter-hemispheric field-aligned currents. We considered also the effect of these currents on total magnetosphere-ionospheric current system in two hemispheres, and also computed the maps of the equivalent ionospheric currents in two hemispheres for different seasons and substorm conditions. We continue studying the model outcomes, advancing some important features, developing real life applications, and comparing the simulation results to satellite and ground-based observation data.


Assistant Program Director

Antarctic Astrophysics and Geospace Sciences, GEO/Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation - Arlington, VA

May 2015 - June 2016

Technical and programmatic evaluation of Program’s proposals and reviews; prepared documents for funding decisions, managed databases, performed proposals’ data analyses and statistical evaluations, generated queries, plots, and reports, assisted in organizing and running review panels, communicated with principal investigators and reviewers.


Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Howard Community College - Columbia, MD

August 2012 - July 2014

Developed a numerical model of 3D magnetosphere-ionosphere current system including interhemispheric field-aligned currents flowing between conjugate polar ionospheres; examined effects of the currents on geomagnetic activity, ionosphere, and upper atmosphere in the polar regions in both hemispheres. Developed a course for undergraduate students in scientific computing and numerical analysis of satellite data, taught how to analyze, verify and convert satellite data to scientific units; taught the intro to numerical modeling of space processes.

Teaching Experience


2011 - Adjunct Faculty at Howard Community College, Columbia, MD

2012 - 2014: NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship: I developed a scientific course that provides real life and science experience with computer modeling, computing, and performing a numerical analysis of satellite data for undergraduate students of Howard Community College, Columbia, MD

 

Professional Societies


AGU - American geophysical Union

2008 - Present


APS - American Physical Society

2010 - Present


AAPT: American Association of Physics Teachers

2018 - Present

Awards


2018: National Science Foundation. Office of Polar Programs. Award Number: 1744925. “Comprehensive Study of 3D Magnetosphere-Ionospheric Current System Through the Modeling, Observations, and Applications: Auroral Electrojet Indices for the Southern Hemisphere”

2012: National Science Foundation. Office of Polar Programs. Award Number: 1204019. Postdoctoral Fellowship. “Asymmetry in Geomagnetic Activity in Two Hemispheres and Interhemispheric Field-Aligned Currents”

Publications


Refereed

2016. "Penetration of magnetosheath plasma into dayside magnetosphere: 2. Magnetic field in plasma filaments." Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics 121 (8): 7713-7727 [10.1002/2015ja022120] [Journal Article/Letter]

2016. "Penetration of magnetosheath plasma into dayside magnetosphere: 1. Density, velocity, and rotation." Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics 121 (8): 7699-7712 [10.1002/2015ja022119] [Journal Article/Letter]

2016. "Effect of interhemispheric currents on equivalent ionospheric currents in two hemispheres: Simulation results." Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics 121 (2): 1339-1348 [10.1002/2015ja021167] [Journal Article/Letter]

2014. "Effect of Interhemispheric Field-Aligned Currents on Region-1 Currents." GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS 41 3731-3737 [10.1002/2014GL060413] [Journal Article/Letter]

2014. "Interhemispheric field-aligned currents: Simulation results." JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SPACE PHYSICS 119 5600-5612 [10.1002/2013JA019558] [Journal Article/Letter]

2008. "Relationship between substorm activity and magnetic disturbances in two polar caps." GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS 35 [10.1029/2008GL035187] [Journal Article/Letter]

2006. "Monitoring the auroral electrojet from polar cap stations." Journal of Geophysical Research 111 (A7): A07202 [10.1029/2004ja010989] [Journal Article/Letter]