Research
Properties of the local interstellar medium, such as its magnetic field, density and composition of its gas, and its interaction with the solar system utilizing a new sensing technique that led to his discovery of interstellar gas deep inside the solar system.
Specializations and Research Interests
- Professor Gloeckler has contributed to the field of space plasma physics through pioneering discoveries and the invention of instruments carried on satellites and deep space probes, including the two Voyagers, Ulysses and Cassini. His research combines measurements of the properties of matter in the universe with careful interpretations that address a complex range of questions relating to solar activity, planetary systems, and formation and evolution of objects in the universe.
- Principal Investigator: IMP 7 and 8 Explorers–Ions and Electrons; Ulysses–SWICS; ISTP/Wind–SMS Investigation;
- Lead Co-Investigator: Voyager 1 and 2–LECP Experiment; ISEE 1 and 3–Nuclear and Charge Composition; AMPTE/CCE–CHEM Spectrometer; ISTP/Geotail–EPIC Experiment; ACE–SWICS/SWIMS, 1991-present;
- Co-Investigator: ISTP/SOHO–CELIAS Investigation; ISTP/SOHO–UVCS Investigation; Cassini– MIMI/CHEMS; MESSENGER
Honors, Awards and Accomplishments
- Member, National Academy of Sciences
- Fellow, American Geophysical Union
- Fellow, American Physical Society
- Member, American Astronomical Society
- Member, American Association for the Advancement of Science
- Elected Member, Basic Sciences, International Academy of Astronautics
- Recipient, COSPAR Space Science Award
- Six NASA Group Achievement Awards
- European Space Agency Certificate of Valuable Contribution
- NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal
Professional Service
- Chair, Solar Probe Science Definition Team
- Member, Sun Earth Connection Advisory Subcommittee (SECAS); IACG (Inter-Agency Consultative Group) Working Group 1 (Science); Space Science Working Group; Fast Pluto Flyby Particles and Fields Study Group; Committee on Solar and Space Physics, National Academy of Sciences; Management and Operations Working Group, Solar and Heliosphere Physics; Star Probe Study Group, Particles and Fields Panel
- Secretary, Cosmic Ray Section, AGU
Publications
Selected publications:
- Gloeckler G. and J. Geiss, Interstellar and inner source pickup ions observed with SWICS on Ulysses, Space Sci. Revs., 86, 127-59, 1998.
- Gloeckler G., L.A. Fisk, and J. Geiss, Anomalously small magnetic field in the local intersteller cloud, Nature, 386, 374-377, 1997.