PictureDr. Joan T. Schmelz grew up in New Jersey. She gained her enjoyment of science from her high school biology teachers. She says that these teachers are the reasons why she entered physics. She overcame the misconceptions of physics by studying hard and focusing on her education.
Dr. Schmelz's main area of focus is the sun. She studies helioseizmology, which is tremors on the surface of the sun, and she observes the reactions of these tremors in five minute oscillations.
She worked at NASA for five years studying physics. Her main source of research is her computer. She downloads data from NASA satellites to compute the temperature, density, and composition of the tremors.
Dr. Joan T. Schmelz now lives and works in Memphis, Tennessee, along with her husband, Garrit Verschuur, another famous astronomer.
These links will take you to more information about the Sun.
