June 03, 2008

NASA Selects SMEX (GEMS) for Concept Study

The Gravity and Extreme Magnetism SMEX (GEMS) project, led by Jean H. Swank at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, has been selected as one of six small explorer investigations to be provided funding for a concept study. RIACS scientist Dr. Robin Morris, Co-Investigator on the project, will help develop algorithms for the science data analysis. These algorithms will be designed to extract the polarization parameters from raw intensity measurements produced by the polarimeter instrument. He will also contribute to the overall science data management for the project. GEMS is an X-ray polarimeter which will observe the flow of highly magnetized matter into supermassive black holes.

For more information, please visit the NASA News Release site at http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/may/HQ_C08029_SMEX_Awards.html