Solar System Exploration Lab
Research Field
Prof. Wei-Ling (Wendy) Tseng leads a dynamic research team at the National Taiwan Normal University, investigating the intriguing environments and processes that shape the Solar System. Her research encompasses the study of neutral and plasma environments surrounding celestial bodies such as Mercury, the Moon, and icy satellites, as well as the interactions between magnetospheric plasma and planetary atmospheres. Additionally, she explores the origins and evolution of organic molecules from the interstellar medium to cometary atmospheres. With a strong emphasis on cutting-edge topics in planetary science, plasma physics, and astrochemistry, her laboratory provides students with opportunities to engage in groundbreaking projects, including collaborations with international missions and institutions. Join us in unraveling the mysteries of the Solar System and beyond!
The PI's research focuses on unraveling the complex environments and processes that shape the Solar System. We investigate the sources, dynamics, and evolution of neutral and plasma environments surrounding key celestial bodies, including Mercury, the Moon, and the icy satellites of Jupiter and Saturn. Our work also explores the interactions between planetary magnetospheric plasma and atmospheres, examining phenomena associated with planets, comets, and moons such as Enceladus and Titan, as well as planetary rings. Additionally, we study the formation and evolution of neutral exospheres around small bodies like Europa, Enceladus, and comets. A key aspect of our research involves tracing the origins and evolution of organic molecules from the interstellar medium to Solar System environments, with a particular emphasis on cometary atmospheres. Students joining our lab will have the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge topics at the intersection of planetary science, plasma physics, and astrobiology, thereby contributing to our understanding of the Solar System’s origins and dynamics.
1. Investigating the sources, dynamics, and evolution of neutral and plasma environments within the Solar System, including Mercury, the Moon, and icy satellites in the magnetospheres of Jupiter and Saturn.
2. Exploring the interactions between planetary magnetospheric plasma and the atmospheres of planets, comets, satellites (such as Enceladus and Titan), and planetary rings.
3. Understanding the sources, dynamics, and evolution of neutral exospheres around small bodies in the Solar System, including Europa, Enceladus, and comets.
4. Tracing the origins and evolution of organic molecules, from the interstellar medium (ISM) to the Solar System, with a focus on their presence in cometary atmospheres.
The PI is a dedicated researcher in planetary science, contributing valuable insights into the dynamics and evolution of the Solar System. Her work integrates observational data from leading radio telescopes, such as ALMA, JCMT, and SMA, with advanced modeling techniques to investigate planetary neutral clouds, plasma environments, and gas plumes. The PI has played a pivotal role in collaborative efforts with missions like Cassini and Europa Clipper, underscoring the significance of teamwork in advancing scientific knowledge. Her research has been recognized through successful proposals and invitations to present her findings at international conferences.
Ph.D., Astronomy, National Central University, Taiwan (2009)
Research Associate, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA (2009-2011)
Research Scientist, Division of Space Science and Engineering, Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, USA (2012-2014)
Job Description
We are seeking motivated international interns to contribute to computational planetary science research focused on Europa. As we prepare for the arrival of the Europa Clipper mission, your work will be pivotal in decoding the link between subsurface oceans and surface-observable plumes.
This project utilizes 3-D Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) modeling coupled with particle-trajectory calculations. You will help bridge the gap between "eruption" and "observation," creating a framework to translate surface enrichment patterns into quantitative constraints on vent geometry, gas production rates, and ejection velocities.
Interns will be integrated into our computational workflow, with the flexibility to focus on specific areas of interest:
Simulate: Execute 3-D DSMC plume simulations and manage large-scale parameter sweeps.
Analyze: Quantify dispersal length scales and deposition gradients for volatiles and ice grains.
Visualize: Generate high-resolution deposition maps to identify "hotspots" of potential plume source regions.
Preferred Intern Educational Level
Senior years in the college/university and/or early years in the Master's degree with backgrounds in Physics, Astronomy, Earth/planet Sciences, and/or Computer Sciences.
Skill sets or Qualities
Proficiency in Python, C/C++, or Fortran.
Strong Backgrounds in Physics, Astronomy, Earth/planet Sciences, and/or Computer Sciences.
Job Description
We are looking for talented international interns to join a study on Mars’s atmospheric erosion. By analyzing data from the space mission, you will help quantify how ionospheric irregularities and crustal magnetic fields dictate the rate at which Mars loses its atmosphere to space.
This project focuses on the physical linkage between ionospheric irregularities and atmospheric ion escape. You will investigate how crustal magnetic anomalies (mini-magnetospheres) on Mars act as either shields or "escape channels" for O2+ and O+ ions. By correlating these events with solar wind conditions, we aim to build a rigorous model of Mars’s long-term volatile depletion.
You will do:
Data Ming: Characterize ion energy and pitch-angle distributions during anomalous density events.
Map Ion Outflow: Visualize how crustal magnetic topologies influence vertical "escape channels."
Physical Modeling: Apply concepts of ambipolar diffusion and ion-frictional heating to quantify net ion outflow.
Impact Assessment: Link localized plasma structures to global atmospheric loss timescales and Mars’s paleoclimate.
Preferred Intern Educational Level
Senior years in the college/university and/or early years in the master's degree with backgrounds in Physics, Astronomy, Earth/Planetary Sciences, and/or Computer Sciences.
Skill sets or Qualities
Proficiency in Python, C/C++, or Fortran.
Strong backgrounds in Physics, Astronomy, Earth/Planetary Sciences, and/or Computer Sciences.