01/13/2026
By Lynne Schaufenbil

Please join the Lowell Center for Space Science and Technology on Thursday, January 29 at 11 a.m. for the talk, Probing Exoplanet Magnetospheres: From Models to Detection, by Fatemeh Bagheri, Ph.D., NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Abstract:
Magnetic fields play a crucial role in shaping planetary environments, protecting atmospheres, and influencing habitability, yet they remain largely unobserved in exoplanets. In this talk, I will present results from simulations that explore how magnetospheres interact with stellar winds and how processes such as tidal locking affect their structure and strength. I will also discuss a new observational strategy that combines upcoming space-based and ground-based telescopes. Our analysis shows that our new proposed method could detect radio signals from thousands of exoplanets, enabling direct measurement of their magnetic fields. This work bridges theoretical modeling and observations, offering a pathway to study the hidden magnetic environments of distant worlds and their potential for habitability.

If you are interested in attending either in person or via Zoom, please email Lynne_Schaufenbil@uml.edu.