PhD student Adriana Alvarez accompanies astronomers aboard NASA’s SOFIA airborne observatory

Adriana Alvarez, a first-year PhD student and Miramontes Fellow in the Educational Equity & Cultural Diversity (EECD) program, completed two flights aboard NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) in June. SOFIA is a modified 747 with an infrared telescope that flies into the stratosphere to collect data for research projects such as the formation of molecules, stars, and planets, the effects of black holes, and the composition of comets, planetary atmospheres, and rings, to name just a few.

As an elementary teacher in El Paso, Texas, Ms. Alvarez was selected with middle school science teacher Mariela Muñoz to assist astronomers with research while on the missions and return to share their knowledge and experiences with their schools and communities. Ms. Alvarez and Ms. Muñoz are planning outreach projects this year with K-12 students in Texas, México, and Colorado.

Ms. Alvarez notes, “To be able to bring this experience back to the schools is the most valuable piece of this opportunity.”

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For more information, visit the SOFIA Science Center Stratospheric Observatory for Infared Astronomy Homepage.

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