John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences

News and information from the UND John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences.

Dissertation Proposal by Gordon Gartrelle on November 10th

Aerospace Science Ph.D. candidate, Gordon Gartrelle, will give his dissertation proposal presentation as follows.  All Space Studies students and faculty are encouraged to attend.

When:  Thursday, November 10th at 3:00 p.m.

Where:  Ryan Hall, Room 111

Title: Spectral Variations of D-Type Asteroids at Different Heliocentric Distances

About the topic: D-type asteroids present one of the most complex puzzles in asteroidal science. Their origin, dynamic evolution, and mineralogical makeup remain unknown. Due to their low albedos, they are difficult to detect and observe from Earth. No spacecraft has ever visited one and there are no missions planned. We have no confirmed samples of D-types in the terrestrial meteorite collection. They may or may not be related to comets, Trans Neptunian Objects (TNO), or Kuiper Belt Objects (KBO). Many D-types may be virtually unchanged compositionally since their formation and could be rich in primordial organics. They could have pure crystalline water-ice beneath their dark, opaque crusts. We just don’t know.

This research will attempt to find infrared spectral distinctions between D-type asteroids from different regions in the Solar System, Ground-based infrared spectroscopy, laboratory analysis of terrestrial as well as meteorite samples, and mathematical modelling will be employed to constrain spectral differences and determine if those differences are related to physical properties, formation location, dynamic evolution, variations in mineralogy, surface age, space weathering effects, or other factors. It is hoped the results of this research will provide increased understanding of the surface properties of D-type asteroids and the forces responsible for their current physical state.

About the presenter:   Gordon was born in Philadelphia in 1955. He was raised in New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco where he graduated from George Washington High School in 1972. Gordon attended the University of Colorado and graduated in 1977 with a B.A. in Economics and Political Science. A child of the space age, Gordon grew up admiring the adventures of our astronauts in the race to the moon. At the University of Colorado, he was introduced to the formal study of astronomy and successfully completed a year of study there. He received a Master of Arts in Education and Human Development from George Washington University in 2008.

     After holding several jobs in the New York City Area from 1977 to 1981, Gordon joined IBM in 1981. From 1981 until 2009, Gordon held a variety of Sales and Marketing Executive positions with responsibility in local, regional, national, and international territories. He left IBM in May of 2009.

     Gordon graduated from the University of North Dakota with a Master of Science in Space Studies in December 2012. His thesis research focused on measuring the synodic period of specific Main Belt Asteroids. He began Doctoral Studies at the University of North Dakota in May of 2013. His desire is to graduate with a degree in Aerospace Science specializing in asteroids and planetary science. His long-term goals are to work on a robotic mission to an asteroid, teach or conduct full-time research.

     Gordon served as Executive Officer for Crew #133 at Mars Desert Research Station in Hanksville, Utah from January 3-19, 2014. He successfully completed the NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory Planetary Science Summer School in June, 2014 and has served on a formal NASA Panel.

     Gordon resides in Manhattan. In his spare time, he enjoys skiing, photography, music, languages, and reading. He is an avid New York sports fan. He has also visited all fifty states and forty-seven countries on six continents for both work and pleasure.

******Those unable to attend in person may view the live webcast******

1)       A live webcast which includes PowerPoint slides will be available here.   Please note:  this option is currently not operational on portable devices/tablets.

2)      Via Adobe ConnectPro.  Sign in as a guest, or use your Connect-Pro log-in.