Welcome to SESDA II

SESDA II Scientists Help Bring New Life to Hubble

On May 14, 2009, STS-125 astronauts successfully installed the new Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) in the Hubble Space Telescope. Among those anxiously monitoring the operation from the ground were two SESDA II scientists, who played a significant role in developing and calibrating the principal detector in WFC3. As part of a team working at the NASA/GSFC Detector Characterization Laboratory our experts conducted a long series of tests and analyses to gain a detailed understanding of the internal properties of the WFC3 detectors. By carefully studying how those detectors respond when imaging sources over a wide range of brightness, and against all sorts of backgrounds, they have enabled WFC3 to produce the best and most accurately calibrated images possible. Now that WFC3 has been installed in the Hubble, the SESDA II team will continue to refine their understanding of the instrument through additional tests of the flight-spare detectors through the checkout period and beyond.

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Educate to Innovate

On November 23, 2009, NASA's Science Mission Directorate, supported by SESDA II staff members, participated in the launch of President Obama's "Educate to Innovate" Campaign for Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) Education. The event was held in the South Court Auditorium at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Our staff provided the Dynamic Planet digital video globe as an example of an interactive learning tool for students of all ages. The system was on stage with the President as he made his remarks. "I want to thank NASA and Charlie (Bolden) for providing the interactive globe -- an innovative and engaging way of teaching young people about our world." The full text of the President's remarks can be found at the following link:

View the President's remarks.

Following the event, the students in attendance were able to briefly interact with the Dynamic Planet.