Dr. Aki Roberge

Astrophysics Science Division
NASA/GSFC
Code 667, Exoplanets and Stellar Astrophysics Lab
Greenbelt, MD 20771

tel: (301) 286-2967
fax: (301) 286-1753
e-mail: Aki.Roberge@nasa.gov

Present Position

Research Astrophysicist

Brief Bio

May 2008 - Present : Research Astrophysicist, Exoplanets and Stellar Astrophysics Lab, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Sept 2005 - April 2008 : NASA Postdoctoral Fellow, Exoplanets and Stellar Astrophysics Lab, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
July 2002 - Aug 2005 : Carnegie Postdoctoral Fellow, Dept. of Terrestrial Magnetism, Carnegie Institution of Washington

My personal research webpage.

Educational Background

2003, Ph.D (Astrophysics), Johns Hopkins University, Thesis: "Ultraviolet Spectroscopy of Circumstellar Disks"
1999, M.A. (Physics), Johns Hopkins University
1996, B.S. (Physics w/ Planetary Science minor), Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Research Interests

The study of planet formation through multi-band observations of protoplanetary and debris disks around nearby young stars, focusing on the evolution of the gas component.

Current Projects

Herschel Open Time Key Projects
Co-I on GASPS (Gas in Protoplanetary Disks) project
Co-I on DUNES (Dust Around Nearby Stars) project

NASA Astrophysics Strategic Mission Concept Studies
Co-I on New Worlds Observer mission study (PI: W. Cash)
Co-I on Star Formation Observatory optical/UV instrument study (PI: P. Scowen)

Selected Publications

1. Roberge, A., & Weinberger, A. J. (2008). “Debris Disks Around Nearby Stars with Circumstellar Gas”, The Astrophysical Journal 676, 509
2. France, K., Roberge, A., Lupu, R. E., Redfield, S., & Feldman, P. D. (2007). “A Low-Mass H₂ Component in the AU Microscopii Circumstellar Disk.” The Astrophysical Journal 668, 1174
3. Roberge, A., Feldman, P. D.,Weinberger, A. J., Deleuil,M., & Bouret, J.-C. (2006). “Stabilization of the Beta Pictoris disk by extremely carbon-rich gas.” Nature 441, 724
4. Roberge, A., Weinberger, A. J., Redfield, S., & Feldman, P. D. (2005). “Rapid Dissipation of Primordial Gas From the AU Microscopii Debris Disk.” The Astrophysical Journal 626, L105
5. Roberge, A., Weinberger, A. J., & Malumuth, E. M. (2005). “Spatially Resolved Spectroscopy and Coronagraphic Imaging of the TW Hydrae Circumstellar Disk.” The Astrophysical Journal 622, 1171
6. Roberge, A., Feldman, P. D., Lecavelier des Etangs, A., Vidal-Madjar, A., Deleuil, M., Bouret, J.-C., Ferlet, R., & Moos, H. W. (2002). “FUSE Observations of Possible Infalling Planetesimals in the 51 Ophiuchi Circumstellar Disk.” The Astrophysical Journal 568, 343
7. Lecavelier des Etangs, A., Vidal-Madjar, A., Roberge, A., et al. (2001). “Deficiency of molecular hydrogen in the disk of Beta Pictoris.” Nature, 412, 706

Publications at the ADS website.