Dyer Observatory

Space is host to a wide variety of different kinds of radiation - light, solar protons, and galactic cosmic rays are some of the primary examples. Some radiation originates within our solar system, like protons that are sporadically emitted from solar storms, while others travel light-years to reach us, like a helium nuclei from somewhere in our galaxy. Excessive exposure to radiation can be extremely harmful to humans; luckily, we have Earth’s atmosphere to protect us from the harsh radiation environment in space. The electronics we send to space for years-long missions, however, are at risk of being damaged due to radiation exposure. This talk will discuss the types of radiation observed in space, where it comes from, and how it affects our efforts to explore the final frontier. About the Speaker: Hannah Dattilo is a 2nd year PhD student in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department at Vanderbilt University, where she studies the effects of radiation on microelectronic and photonic devices. She first came to Nashville in 2020 to join the Fisk-Vanderbilt Master’s-to-PhD Bridge Program, where we received her M.S. in Physics in 2022. She received her B.S. in Physics from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, GA in 2020. Outside of research, she enjoys crocheting, hiking, and playing with her cat.