Kim Weaver
Encyclopedia
Dr. Kimberly A. Weaver is an American
astrophysics
astronomer
and professor
. Weaver is also noted for her many discoveries and professional publication
s. She has worked with NASA
on several research projects. She is often seen on many television
programs about astronomy
. She is regarded by many of her peers to be an expert in the area of x-ray astronomy
.
, West Virginia
. She also credits the Apollo 11
lunar mission as the inspiration to become a career scientist at NASA
.
She attended West Virginia University
and completed a B.S.degree in physics
in
1987. She then enrolled at the University of Maryland
in 1988. It was there that she began as a student intern at NASA
's Goddard Space Flight Center
in Greenbelt
, goodMaryland
. Kim graduated from the University of Maryland
in 1990 with M.S. in Astronomy. She was accepted to the University of Maryland at College Park and graduated in 1993 with Ph.D. in astronomy
. Her doctoral thesis was in complex broad-band she x-ray spectra of Seyfert Galaxies hey.
Weaver spent an additional two years as a postdoctoral research associate at Penn State and another two years as an associate research scientist at Johns Hopkins University
.
In 1998, she returned to Goddard.
as the Spitzer Program Scientist for NASA
. Currently Weaver, in addition to working with NASA, is also an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore
, Maryland.
She is also the author of the book, "The Violent Universe: Joyrides Through the X-Ray Cosmos", published by Johns Hopkins University Press.
"In an environmental sense, the black holes are actually preventing galactic sprawl from taking over the neighborhood."
, art
, and singing
. She also loves community theatre
, where she participates in acting, directing and set design. She especially likes playing the part of Elvira in Noel Coward
's Blithe Spirit
. While in college she was a member of the WVU marching band and in 1986 was elected Miss Mountaineer. Weaver has a particular interest involving children with astronomy. She is the daughter of Kenna and Patricia Weaver who still reside in Morgantown, West Virginia
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
astrophysics
Astrophysics
Astrophysics is the branch of astronomy that deals with the physics of the universe, including the physical properties of celestial objects, as well as their interactions and behavior...
astronomer
Astronomer
An astronomer is a scientist who studies celestial bodies such as planets, stars and galaxies.Historically, astronomy was more concerned with the classification and description of phenomena in the sky, while astrophysics attempted to explain these phenomena and the differences between them using...
and professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
. Weaver is also noted for her many discoveries and professional publication
Publication
To publish is to make content available to the public. While specific use of the term may vary among countries, it is usually applied to text, images, or other audio-visual content on any medium, including paper or electronic publishing forms such as websites, e-books, Compact Discs and MP3s...
s. She has worked with NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
on several research projects. She is often seen on many television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
programs about astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
. She is regarded by many of her peers to be an expert in the area of x-ray astronomy
X-ray astronomy
X-ray astronomy is an observational branch of astronomy which deals with the study of X-ray observation and detection from astronomical objects. X-radiation is absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere, so instruments to detect X-rays must be taken to high altitude by balloons, sounding rockets, and...
.
Early life and education
Weaver was born in Morgantown, West Virginia in April 1964. As a five year old girl she was impressed by pictures of planets and galaxies as well as the 300 foot antenna dish of the National Radio sup Observatory in Green BankGreen Bank, West Virginia
Green Bank is a census-designated place in Pocahontas County in West Virginia's Potomac Highlands inside the Allegheny Mountain Range. Green Bank is located along WV 28. Green Bank is also close to the Snowshoe Mountain ski resort...
, West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
. She also credits the Apollo 11
Apollo 11
In early 1969, Bill Anders accepted a job with the National Space Council effective in August 1969 and announced his retirement as an astronaut. At that point Ken Mattingly was moved from the support crew into parallel training with Anders as backup Command Module Pilot in case Apollo 11 was...
lunar mission as the inspiration to become a career scientist at NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
.
She attended West Virginia University
West Virginia University
West Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg; West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery; Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser;...
and completed a B.S.degree in physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
in
1987. She then enrolled at the University of Maryland
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
in 1988. It was there that she began as a student intern at NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
's Goddard Space Flight Center
Goddard Space Flight Center
The Goddard Space Flight Center is a major NASA space research laboratory established on May 1, 1959 as NASA's first space flight center. GSFC employs approximately 10,000 civil servants and contractors, and is located approximately northeast of Washington, D.C. in Greenbelt, Maryland, USA. GSFC,...
in Greenbelt
Greenbelt, Maryland
Greenbelt is a city in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. Contained within today's City of Greenbelt is the historic planned community now known locally as "Old Greenbelt" and designated as the Greenbelt Historic District...
, goodMaryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. Kim graduated from the University of Maryland
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
in 1990 with M.S. in Astronomy. She was accepted to the University of Maryland at College Park and graduated in 1993 with Ph.D. in astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
. Her doctoral thesis was in complex broad-band she x-ray spectra of Seyfert Galaxies hey.
Weaver spent an additional two years as a postdoctoral research associate at Penn State and another two years as an associate research scientist at Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
.
In 1998, she returned to Goddard.
Career
At Goddard'sis really good Laboratory for High Energy Astrophysics, Weaver was a civil servant scientist. There she concentrated on x-ray astronomy, particularly on the Constellation X satellite project, which is part of NASA's "Beyond Einstein" program, as the Deputy Project Scientist. During her tenure at Goddard, she also worked extensively with the Chandra X-ray Telescope where many important observations were made with respect to starburst galaxies, blackholes and other astronomical phenomena. In addition to Chandra, Weaver has worked with other x-ray telescopes such as the XXM-Newton, RXTE, and the BeppoSAX, satellites. In 2005 she was on special assignment to the California Institute of TechnologyCalifornia Institute of Technology
The California Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Pasadena, California, United States. Caltech has six academic divisions with strong emphases on science and engineering...
as the Spitzer Program Scientist for NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
. Currently Weaver, in addition to working with NASA, is also an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, Maryland.
Research interests
Weaver has many research interests, including:- General X-Ray Astronomy
- Active Galactic Nuclei
- Starburst Galaxies
- Black Hole formation
Awards
Weaver has received many awards including:- 2007, West Virginia University Alumni Recognition Award
- 1996, Presidential Early Career Award, NASA
- 1991-1993, NASA Graduate Student Researcher's Fellowship
- 1992, NASA Peer Award
Publications
Weaver has been published in over 60 scientific journals including:- "On the Evidence of Extreme Gravity Effects in MCG-6-30-15", Weaver,K.A., and Yaqoob, T. 1998, ApJ, 502, L139
- "An X-Ray Minisurvey of Nearby Edge-On Starburst Galaxies. II. The Question of Metal Abundance.", Weaver, K.A., Heckman, T.M., Dahlem, M. 2000 ApJ 534, 684
She is also the author of the book, "The Violent Universe: Joyrides Through the X-Ray Cosmos", published by Johns Hopkins University Press.
Professional society memberships
Weaver is involved with many professional groups and organizations, such as:- American Astronomical SocietyAmerican Astronomical SocietyThe American Astronomical Society is an American society of professional astronomers and other interested individuals, headquartered in Washington, DC...
- Executive Committee of the High Energy Astrophysics Division
- Committee for the Status of Women in Astronomy
- International Astronomical UnionInternational Astronomical UnionThe International Astronomical Union IAU is a collection of professional astronomers, at the Ph.D. level and beyond, active in professional research and education in astronomy...
- American Physical SocietyAmerican Physical SocietyThe American Physical Society is the world's second largest organization of physicists, behind the Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft. The Society publishes more than a dozen scientific journals, including the world renowned Physical Review and Physical Review Letters, and organizes more than 20...
- Goddard Employees Welfare Association
Quotes
"We already know that powerful quasars are very efficient at making light. Now we know that black holes in elliptical galaxies are efficient as well.""In an environmental sense, the black holes are actually preventing galactic sprawl from taking over the neighborhood."
Personal
Weaver enjoys musicMusic
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
, art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
, and singing
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
. She also loves community theatre
Community theatre
Community theatre refers to theatrical performance made in relation to particular communities—its usage includes theatre made by, with, and for a community...
, where she participates in acting, directing and set design. She especially likes playing the part of Elvira in Noel Coward
Noël Coward
Sir Noël Peirce Coward was an English playwright, composer, director, actor and singer, known for his wit, flamboyance, and what Time magazine called "a sense of personal style, a combination of cheek and chic, pose and poise".Born in Teddington, a suburb of London, Coward attended a dance academy...
's Blithe Spirit
Blithe Spirit (play)
Blithe Spirit is a comic play written by Noël Coward which takes its title from Percy Bysshe Shelley's poem "To a Skylark" . The play concerns socialite and novelist Charles Condomine, who invites the eccentric medium and clairvoyant, Madame Arcati, to his house to conduct a séance, hoping to...
. While in college she was a member of the WVU marching band and in 1986 was elected Miss Mountaineer. Weaver has a particular interest involving children with astronomy. She is the daughter of Kenna and Patricia Weaver who still reside in Morgantown, West Virginia
Morgantown, West Virginia
Morgantown is a city in Monongalia County, West Virginia. It is the county seat of Monongalia County. Placed along the banks of the Monongahela River, Morgantown is the largest city in North-Central West Virginia, and the base of the Morgantown metropolitan area...
.
External links
- http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/people/bios/women/kweaver.html
- http://chandra.harvard.edu/press/bios/weaver_bio.html
- http://university.gsfc.nasa.gov/eyesonthesky/Abstracts/weaverbio.html
- http://www.kimweaver.com