Astrophysicist

The Catholic University of America
at
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

Personal Information

Position: Research Associate Professor
Mailing Address:
Code 612.1
NASA's GSFC
Greenbelt, MD 20771

Phone: 301-286-6200
Fax: 301-286-1617
Email: brosius@comstoc.gsfc.nasa.gov 

Education

  • Ph.D., Physics, 1985, University of Delaware/Bartol Research Institute, Newark, DE
  • B. A., Physics, 1980, Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, PA

Employment History

  • Feb 2002 - present: Research Associate Professor, Catholic University, Washington, DC 20064
  • Jan 1997 - Feb 2002: Chief Scientist, Raytheon ITSS Corporation, 4400 Forbes Boulevard, Lanham, MD 20706
  • Jul 1993 - Dec 1996: Principal Scientist, Raytheon ITSS Corporation
  • Jul 1991 - Jun 1993: Senior Scientist, Raytheon ITSS Corporation
  • Sep 1985 - Jun 1991: Scientist, Raytheon ITSS Corporation
  • Jun 1983 - Jun 1985: Research Fellow, Bartol Research Institute, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716
  • Sep 1982 - May 1983: Teaching Assistant, University of Delaware
  • Jun 1980 - Aug 1982: Research Fellow, Bartol Research Institute

Professional Affiliations

  • International Astronomical Union (Commissions 10, 12)
  • American Astronomical Society
  • Solar Physics Division of the AAS
  • American Geophysical Union

Research Interests

Outreach Activities

  • Mentored public school science teachers from the District of Columbia (1998 - 2000) through the SUNBEAMS program.
  • Member (1998 - 1999) and Chair (1999 - 2002) of Solar Physics Division's Popular Writing Awards Committee.
  • Wrote and distributed the educational outreach booklet "How Astronomers Use Spectra to Learn About the Sun and Other Stars." Version 1, published in 1997, was selected by NASA as an exemplary resource, and recommended for broad distribution. Version 2 (2005) includes two new sections, and is available in pdf form as spectrabook_ver2.pdf.

Refereed Publications

  • "Radio Measurements of the Height of Strong Coronal Magnetic Fields Above Sunspots at the Solar Limb," J. W. Brosius and S. M. White, ApJ 641, L69 (2006 April 10). 
  • "Thermal Composition and Doppler Velocities in a Transequatorial Loop at the Solar Limb," J. W. Brosius, ApJ 636, L57 (2006 January 1).
  • "Properties of a Sunspot Plume Observed With the Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer Aboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory," J. W. Brosius and E. Landi, ApJ 632, 1196 (2005 October 20).
  • "Fe XI Emission Lines in a High-Resolution Extreme-Ultraviolet Active Region Spectrum Obtained by the Solar Extreme-ultraviolet Research Telescope and Spectrograph," F. P. Keenan, K. M. Aggarwal, R. S. I. Ryans, R. O. Milligan, D. S. Bloomfield, J. W. Brosius, J. M. Davila, and R. J. Thomas, ApJ 624, 428 (2005 May 1).
  • "Mass Flows in a Disappearing Sunspot Plume," J. W. Brosius, ApJ 622, 1216 (2005 April 1).
  • "Extreme-Ultraviolet and X-Ray Spectroscopy of a Solar Flare Loop Observed at High Time Resolution: a Case Study in Chromospheric Evaporation," J. W. Brosius and K. J. H. Phillips, ApJ 613, 580 (2004 September 20).
  • "Emission Lines of Fe XV in Spectra Obtained with the Solar Extreme-ultraviolet Research Telescope and Spectrograph," F. P. Keenan, K. M. Aggarwal, R. O. Milligan, R. S. I. Ryans, D. S. Bloomfield, V. Srigengan, M. G. O'Mullane, K. D. Lawson, A. Z. Msezane, J. W. Brosius, J. M. Davila, and R. J. Thomas, MNRAS 356, 1592 (2005).
  • "A Comparison of Theoretical Si VIII Emission Line Ratios with Observations from the Solar EUV Research Telescope and Spectrograph (SERTS)," F. P. Keenan, A. C. Katsiyannis, C. A. Ramsbottom, K. L. Bell, J. W. Brosius, J. M. Davila, and R. J. Thomas, Solar Phys. 219, 251 (2004 February).
  • "Close Association of an Extreme-Ultraviolet Sunspot Plume with Depressions in the Sunspot Radio Emission," J. W. Brosius and S. M. White, ApJ 601, 546 (2004 January 20).
  • "Electron Temperature and Speed Measurements in the Low Solar Corona: Results from the June 2001 Eclipse," N. L. Reginald, O. C. St.Cyr, J. M. Davila, and J. W. Brosius, ApJ 599, 596 (2003 December 10).
  • "Emission Lines of Na-Like Ions in Spectra Obtained With the Solar EUV Research Telescope and Spectrograph (SERTS)," F. P. Keenan, A. C. Katsiyannis, J. W. Brosius, J. M. Davila, and R. J. Thomas, MNRAS 342, 513 (2003).
  • "Coronal Diagnostics with Coordinated Radio and EUV/Soft X-Ray Observations," J. W. Brosius, in "Solar and Space Weather Radiophysics," eds. D. E. Gary and C. O. Keller (Dordrecht: Kluwer), p. 265 (2004).
  • "Chromospheric Evaporation and Warm Rain During a Solar Flare Observed in High Time Resolution with the Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer Aboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory," J. W. Brosius, ApJ 586, 1417 (2003 April 1).
  • "Si IX Emission Lines in Spectra Obtained with the Solar EUV Research Telescope and Spectrograph (SERTS)," F. P. Keenan, A. C. Katsiyannis, K. M. Aggarwal, M. Mathioudakis, J. W. Brosius, J. M. Davila, and R. J. Thomas, Solar Phys. 212, 65 (2003).
  • "Search for Evidence of Alpha Particle Beams During a Solar Flare," J. W. Brosius, in "Multi-Wavelength Observations of Coronal Structure and Dynamics," eds. P. C. H. Martens and D. Cauffman (Amsterdam: Pergamon), COSPAR Colloquia Series, vol. 13, p. 283 (2002).
  • "Measurements of Three-Dimensional Coronal Magnetic Fields from Coordinated Extreme-Ultraviolet and Radio Observations of a Solar Active Region Sunspot," J. W. Brosius, E. Landi, J. W. Cook, J. S. Newmark, N. Gopalswamy, and A. Lara, ApJ 574, 453 (2002 July 20).
  • "A Comparison of Theoretical Mg VI Emission Line Strengths with Active Region Observations from SERTS," F. P. Keenan, M. Mathioudakis, A. C. Katsiyannis, C. A. Ramsbottom, K. L. Bell, R. J. Thomas, and J. W. Brosius, Solar Phys. 205, 265 (2002).
  • "Electron Densities in the Coronae of the Sun and Procyon From EUV Emission Line Ratios in Fe XI," D. J. Pinfield, F. P. Keenan, M. Mathioudakis, K. G. Widing, P. T. Gallagher, G. P. Gupta, S. S. Tayal, R. J. Thomas, and J. W. Brosius, ApJ 562, 566 (2001 November 20).
  • "Search for Evidence of Alpha Particle Beams During a Solar Flare Observed by the Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer Aboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory," J. W. Brosius, ApJ 555, 435 (2001 July 1).
  • "A Comparison Between Theoretical and Solar Fe XII UV Line Intensity Ratios," A. M. Binello, E. Landi, H. E. Mason, P. J. Storey, and J. W. Brosius, Astron. Astrophys. 370, 1071 (2001).
  • "S XI Emission Lines in Active Region Spectra Obtained with the Solar EUV Rocket Telescope and Spectrograph (SERTS)," F. P. Keenan, D. J. Pinfield, M. Mathioudakis, K. M. Aggarwal, R. J. Thomas, and J. W. Brosius, Solar Phys. 197, 253 (2000).
  • "Analysis of a Solar Active Region Extreme-Ultraviolet Spectrum From SERTS-97," J. W. Brosius, R. J. Thomas, J. M. Davila, and E. Landi, ApJ 543, 1016 (2000 November 10).
  • "The Absolute Abundance of Iron in the Solar Corona," S. M. White, R. J. Thomas, J. W. Brosius, and M. R. Kundu, ApJ 534, L203 (2000 May 10).
  • "SERTS-97 Measurements of Relative Wavelength Shifts in Coronal Emission Lines Across a Solar Active Region," J. W. Brosius, R. J. Thomas, J. M. Davila, and W. T. Thompson, Solar Phys. 193, 117 (2000).
  • "The Role of Velocity Redistribution in Enhancing the Intensity of the He II 304 Line in the Quiet Sun Spectrum," V. Andretta, S. D. Jordan, J. W. Brosius, J. M. Davila, R. J. Thomas, W. E. Behring, W. T. Thompson, and A. Garcia, ApJ 535, 438 (2000 May 20).
  • "Si X Emission Lines in Spectra Obtained with the Solar EUV Rocket Telescope and Spectrograph (SERTS)," F. P. Keenan, E. O'Shea, R. J. Thomas, J. W. Brosius, A. Katsiyannis, R. S. I. Ryans, R. H. G. Reid, A. K. Pradhan, and H. L. Zhang, MNRAS 315, 450 (2000).
  • "SERTS-95 Measurements of Wavelength Shifts in Coronal Emission Lines Across a Solar Active Region," J. W. Brosius, R. J. Thomas, and J. M. Davila, ApJ 526, 494 (1999 November 20).
  • "Emission Measure Distribution for an Active Region Using Coordinated SERTS and Yohkoh/SXT Observations," J. T. Schmelz, J. L. R. Saba, K. T. Strong, H. D. Winter, and J. W. Brosius, ApJ 523, 432 (1999 September 20).
  • "Using Temporal Variations of the Nonthermal Redshifted Lyman-Alpha Emission to Deduce Properties of Proton Beams Injected into a Stellar Atmosphere," J. W. Brosius and B. E. Woodgate, ApJ 514, 430 (1999 March 20).
  • "Solar Active Region and Quiet-Sun EUV Spectra from SERTS-95," J. W. Brosius, J. M. Davila, and R. J. Thomas, ApJS 119, 255 (1998 December).
  • "Calibration of the SERTS-95 Spectrograph from Iron Line Intensity Ratios," J. W. Brosius, J. M. Davila, and R. J. Thomas, ApJ 497, L113 (1998 April 20).
  • "Using Strong Solar Coronal Emission Lines as Coronal Flux Proxies," D. A. Falconer, S. D. Jordan, J. W. Brosius, J. M. Davila, R. J. Thomas, V. Andretta, and H. Hara, Solar Phys. 180, 179 (1998).
  • "Coronal Magnetography of a Solar Active Region Using Coordinated SERTS and VLA Observations," J. W. Brosius, J. M. Davila, R. J. Thomas, and S. M. White, ApJ 488, 488 (1997 October 10).
  • "The Structure and Properties of Solar Active Regions and Quiet-Sun Areas Observed in Soft X-Rays with Yohkoh/SXT, and in the Extreme Ultraviolet with SERTS," J. W. Brosius, J. M. Davila, R. J. Thomas, J. L. R. Saba, H. Hara, and B. C. Monsignori-Fossi, ApJ 477, 969 (1997 March 10).
  • "Measuring Active and Quiet Sun Coronal Plasma Properties with EUV Spectra from SERTS," J. W. Brosius, J. M. Davila, R. J. Thomas, and B. C. Monsignori-Fossi, ApJS 106, 143 (1996).
  • "Heating and Ionization of Stellar Chromospheres by Nonthermal Proton Beams: Implications for Impulsive Phase, Redshifted Lyman-alpha Radiation in Stellar Flares," J. W. Brosius, R. D. Robinson, and S. P. Maran, ApJ 441, 385 (1995).
  • "Coronal Magnetic Structures Observing Campaign. III. Coronal Plasma and Magnetic Field Diagnostics Derived from Multi-waveband Active Region Observations," J. T. Schmelz, G. D. Holman, J. W. Brosius, and R. F. Willson, ApJ 434, 786 (1994).
  • "Solar Coronal Temperature Diagnostics Using Emission Lines from Multiple Stages of Ionization of Iron," J. W. Brosius, J. M. Davila, R. J. Thomas, and W. T. Thompson, ApJ 425, 343 (1994).
  • "Observing Stellar Coronae with the Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph. I. The dMe Star AU Microscopii," S. P. Maran, R. D. Robinson, S. N. Shore, J. W. Brosius, K. G. Carpenter, B. E. Woodgate, J. L. Linsky, A. Brown, P. B. Byrne, M. R. Kundu, S. White, J. C. Brandt, R. A. Shine, and F. M. Walter, ApJ 421, 800 (1994).
  • "Simultaneous Observations of Solar Plage with SERTS, the VLA, and the Kitt Peak Magnetograph," J. W. Brosius, J. M. Davila, W. T. Thompson, R. J. Thomas, G. D. Holman, N. Gopalswamy, S. M. White, M. R. Kundu, and H. P. Jones, ApJ 411, 410 (1993).
  • "Coronal Magnetic Structures Observing Campaign. II. Magnetic and Plasma Properties of a Solar Active Region," J. T. Schmelz, G. D. Holman, J. W. Brosius, and R. D. Gonzalez, ApJ 399, 733 (1992).
  • "Evidence for Mass Outflow in the Low Solar Corona Over a Large Sunspot," W. M. Neupert, J. W. Brosius, R. J. Thomas, and W. T. Thompson, ApJ 392, L95 (1992).
  • "Decimetric Solar Type U Bursts: VLA and PHOENIX Observations," Markus J. Aschwanden, T. S. Bastian, A. O. Benz, and J. W. Brosius, ApJ 391, 380 (1992).
  • "Coronal Magnetic Structures Observing Campaign. IV. Multiwaveband Observations of Sunspot and Plage-Associated Coronal Emission," J. W. Brosius, R. F. Willson, G. D. Holman, and J. T. Schmelz, ApJ 386, 347 (1992).
  • "Microwave Polarization Inversion Observed," J. W. Brosius, G. D. Holman, and J. T. Schmelz, Eos, vol. 72, p. 449 (1991).
  • "Coronal Magnetic Structures Observing Campaign. I. Simultaneous Microwave and Soft X-Ray Observations of Active Regions at the Solar Limb," N. Nitta, S. M. White, M. R. Kundu, N. Gopalswamy, G. D. Holman, J. W. Brosius, J. T. Schmelz, J. L. R. Saba, and K. T. Strong, ApJ 374, 374 (1991).
  • "The Structure of the Microwave Emission from Sunspot Magnetic Fields," J. W. Brosius and G. D. Holman, ApJ 342, 1172 (1989).
  • "Theoretical Models of Free-Free Microwave Emission from Solar Magnetic Loops," J. W. Brosius and G. D. Holman, ApJ 327, 417 (1988).
  • "Disconnection Events in Comet Halley During the ICE-Halley Radial Period," J. W. Brosius, G. D. Holman, and M. B. Niedner, Jr., Eos, vol. 68, p. 1594 (1987).
  • "The Cause of Two Plasma Tail Disconnection Events in Comet P/Halley During the ICE-Halley Radial Period," J. W. Brosius, G. D. Holman, M. B. Niedner, Jr., J. C. Brandt, J. A. Slavin, E. J. Smith, R. D. Zwickl, and S. J. Bame, Astron. Astrophys. 187, 267 (1987).
  • "Models of Transition Regions in Hybrid Stars," J. W. Brosius and D. J. Mullan, ApJ 301, 650 (1986).
  • "Rotational Modulation of Chromospheric Emission in Cool Giants and 'Hybrid' Stars," J. W. Brosius, D. J. Mullan, and R. E. Stencel, ApJ 288, 310 (1985).