Kim Weaver facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kim Weaver
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Weaver talks to a reporter from WJZ-TV during STS-125 EVA activities at the Goddard visitor center
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| Born | April 19, 1964 |
| Occupation | Professor, Lecturer, Author |
| Known for | Research Science |
| Academic background | |
| Alma mater | University of West Virginia and University of Maryland |
| Doctoral advisor | Andrew Stephen Wilson and Richard Mushotzky |
| Academic work | |
Dr. Kimberly A. Weaver, born on April 19, 1964, is an American astronomer and professor. She studies astrophysics, which is a branch of astronomy that uses physics to understand the universe. Dr. Weaver has worked on many exciting projects with NASA, the United States space agency. You might have seen her on TV shows talking about space, as she is an expert in x-ray astronomy. This means she uses special telescopes to study objects in space by looking at the X-rays they give off.
Contents
Becoming an Astronomer
Early Life and Inspiration
When Kim Weaver was just five years old, she was amazed by pictures of planets and galaxies. She also saw the huge 300-foot antenna dish at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia. These sights, along with the Apollo 11 mission that landed humans on the Moon, inspired her. She decided then that she wanted to become a scientist at NASA.
Education and Training
Dr. Weaver started her journey at West Virginia University. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics in 1987. After that, she went to the University of Maryland in 1988. While studying there, she also began working as a student intern at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.
Kim earned her Master of Science degree in Astronomy from the University of Maryland in 1990. She continued her studies and received her Ph.D. in astronomy in 1993. Her special research for her Ph.D. was about how certain galaxies, called Seyfert Galaxies, give off X-rays. After her Ph.D., she spent four more years doing research at Penn State and Johns Hopkins University. In 1998, she returned to NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.
Dr. Weaver's Work at NASA
Studying X-rays from Space
At NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Dr. Weaver became a scientist focusing on x-ray astronomy. She worked on big projects like the Constellation X satellite, which was part of NASA's "Beyond Einstein" program. She also worked a lot with the Chandra X-ray Observatory. This powerful telescope helped her make important discoveries about starburst galaxies, black holes, and other amazing things in space.
Besides Chandra, Dr. Weaver has used other X-ray telescopes. These include the XXM-Newton, RXTE, and BeppoSAX satellites. In 2005, she also worked at the California Institute of Technology for NASA's Spitzer program. Today, Dr. Weaver is still an astrophysicist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. She also teaches as a professor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.
What Dr. Weaver Researches
Dr. Weaver is very interested in several areas of space science. She studies X-ray astronomy in general, which means looking at the universe through X-ray light. She also researches Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), which are very bright centers of galaxies. Her work includes studying starburst galaxies, where new stars are forming very quickly, and how black holes are created.
She is also part of many important science groups. These include the American Astronomical Society and the International Astronomical Union.
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Weaver has received many awards for her important work:
- 2011: West Virginia University Academy of Distinguished Alumni
- 2009: Robert H. Goddard Exceptional Achievement Award in Outreach
- 2009: Distinguished Alumna Award, University of Maryland Astronomy Department
- 2007: West Virginia University Alumni Recognition Award
- 1996: Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers from NASA
- 1991-1993: NASA Graduate Student Researcher's Fellowship
- 1992: NASA Peer Award
Beyond Science
Hobbies and Interests
When she's not studying the universe, Dr. Weaver enjoys music, art, and singing. She also loves community theatre, where she helps with acting, directing, and designing sets. One of her favorite roles was playing Elvira in Noël Coward's play Blithe Spirit.
When she was in college, she was part of the West Virginia University marching band. In 1986, she was even chosen as Miss Mountaineer. Dr. Weaver is also very passionate about helping children learn about astronomy and space. Her parents, Kenna and Patricia Weaver, lived in Morgantown, West Virginia.
See also
In Spanish: Kim Weaver para niños
