Identifying Mars-Shine in MAVEN SEP Particle Observations
Eyouel Abate (he/him) (2027) | Astrophysics Major and Aerospace Engineering Minor
Eyouel is a SURF L&S scholarship recipient majoring in Astrophysics with a minor in Aerospace Engineering. For his SURF project this summer, Eyouel is investigating whether a subtle reflected-light effect from Mars, similar to Earthshine on the Moon, can be detected in NASA’s MAVEN spacecraft data. By analyzing measurements from the Solar Energetic Particle (SEP) instrument alongside spacecraft geometry and Martian surface reflectivity, he aims to determine whether variations in background signals are linked to reflected sunlight from the planet’s surface, improving interpretation of particle data and revealing new insights into spacecraft observations.
What made you choose this research project? How did your interest in your research topic emerge?
My first time getting involved with live Planetary Science data from a NASA mission was with this research project, and that led me to pursue analyzing data with the MAVEN science data. My interest in the Marshine-specific project arose because I was involved in reusing the SEP instrument as a Flare Monitor & Analyzing Scorpius X-1 X-rays. I came across Marsshine as a potential source of noise, and I recognized that this investigation in the phenomenon could lead to a greater fundamental understanding of planetary science and satellite dynamics.
What is your project about (in simple terms)? How does it relate to issues or ideas you have been studying in your coursework?
My project explores whether reflected sunlight from Mars may create a subtle hidden signal in data from NASA’s MAVEN spacecraft—a phenomenon I refer to as “Mars-shine.” In my Planetary Astrophysics course and my Radio Lab course, I learned about the theory behind planetary atmospheres interacting with the solar wind, and how the instrumentation on many spacecraft work regarding radio communication.
What are you most excited about this summer? Will your research entail travel, access to special collections, or experiments?
I am the most excited for the chance to work at the Space Sciences Lab and work alongside my PI in a one-on-one environment tackling a new problem in astrophysics research. Potentially in the future, I might get the chance to present this research at a conference and take charge of a research project that I lead myself.
What do you hope to learn from this experience? What would success look like for you? What challenges do you anticipate confronting?
From this experience, I hope to learn how to manage, schedule, and complete my own fully independently led research project in a timely manner. Success would be reaching a conclusion with high confidence. I anticipate several challenges regarding understanding the small intricacies of the data I display, as well as properly communicate those during my research presentation.
What do you hope comes out of this research? What impact do you hope your research will have?
I hope that I can enable Mars planetary research to take a small step forward in terms of enabling astrophysicists and future astronauts to understand how satellites can communicate with us, relay information about the data we observe from Mars and nearby, and help us understand the bigger picture when we begin more interplanetary missions.