Contact Information

Code 682.3
NASA/GSFC
Greenbelt, MD 20771
Email: tomsol@alum.mit.edu

Experience

Fourteen years of experience in Solar Physics research designing and building instruments for solar astronomy, and conducting ground-and space-based solar observations at UV, visible and IR wavelengths

Major Areas of Performance

  • Electro-optic instrument design and calibration
  • Ground and space-based astronomy
  • Multi-spectral imaging
  • Magnetohydrodynamic and fluid modeling

Employment History

  • July 2000 to Present
    Assistant Professor, Physics Department, Catholic University of America, Washington, DC-Performed multispectral studies of solar emission, at radio, visible and UV wavelengths. Studied coronal mass ejections in three dimensions using the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory/Large Angle Spectrometric Coronagraph.
  • December 1994 to June 2000
    Senior Scientist, APPLIED RESEARCH CORPORATION (ARC), Largo, bought by SPACE APPLICATIONS CORPORATION (SAC), Vienna, VA - Calibration and mission support for the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory/Solar Ultraviolet Measurements of Emitted Radiation UV spectrograph. Developed image distortion correction algorithm and studied coronal UV emission. Planned and assisted with observations using the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory. Developed fluid and magnetohydrodynamic solar wind models.
  • July 1992 to December 1994
    National Academy of Science Fellow, NASA/GSFC, Greenbelt, MD-Constructed IR photometry instrumentation and conducted solar observations in the mid IR to study magnetic fields.
  • January 1991 to May 1992
    Visiting Scientist, MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, Cambridge, MA-Performed spectroscopic measurements on plasma propulsion experiment.
  • March 1989 to September 1991
    Staff Scientist, Cambridge Research and Instrumentation, Inc., Cambridge, MA-Developed and installed first solar electrograph at the National Solar Observatory, Sacramento Peak, NM. Performed solar observation in the near IR at the National Solar Observatory, Kitt Peak Observatory, Az.

Education

  • Ph.D. Physics, 1989 Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
  • B.S. Physics, 1980 Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL

Programming Languages

  • Interactive Data Language (IDL)
  • C
  • FORTRAN

Selected Articles in Refereed Journals

  • Moran, T.G. & Davila, J., 2004, "Three-dimensional polarimetric imaging of coronal mass ejections", Science 305, p. 66
  • Moran, T.G., 2003, "Test for Alfven wave signatures in a coronal hole", Astrophysical Journal 598, p. 657
  • Moran, T.G., Deming, D., Jennings, D., &McCabe, G., 2000, "Solar magnetic field studies using the 12 micron emission lines III. Simultaneous measurements at 12 and 1.6 microns", Astrophysical Journal 533, p.1035
  • Moran, T.G., 1995, "Spectroscopic study of molecular hydrogen processes in a mirror-confined plasma", Physical Review E 51, p. 346