Solar, Stellar, and Planetary Sciences (SSP)
The Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian Solar, Stellar & Planetary Sciences (SSP) division research is directed toward understanding star and planet formation and the physical processes in the Sun, stars, planets, and stellar systems.
The Solar, Stellar and Planetary Sciences (SSP) division focuses much of its research on the Sun -- namely, addressing its basic stellar properties, its atmosphere and corona, and its effects on the Earth. Studies of other stars seek to measure the age, chemical composition, mass, radius, and temperature and to understand the structure of surrounding disks, magnetic fields, and winds. Searches for objects in our own solar system and for extra-solar planets enable the growing field of comparative planetology and inform theoretical investigations of star and planet formation and evolution.
Observational data used by the SSP Division are obtained from ground-based observatories (such as the MMT Observatory, Magellan, and the Whipple Observatory) and from satellites including the Transition Region and Coronal Explorer, the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, the Kepler Space Observatory, the Hubble Space Telescope, the Chandra X-ray Observatory, and the Spitzer Space Telescope.
- Solar System
- Astro Combs
- Minor Planets and Comets
- Astrochemistry
- Atomic & Molecular Data
- Gravitational Lensing
- Jets, Outflows and Shocks
- Exoplanets
- Stellar Structure and Evolution
- Disks
- Variable Stars and Binaries
- Solar and Stellar Atmospheres
- Neutron Stars and White Dwarfs
- Supernovas & Remnants
- Moons and Satellites
- Planet Formation
- Planetary Nebulas
- Star Formation
- Planetary Atmospheres
Related News
Three Incoming Postdoctoral Researchers Awarded NASA Hubble Fellowships
A Giant, Sizzling Planet May be Orbiting the Star Vega
Engineering Marvel: Sixth Mirror Cast for Giant Magellan Telescope
High Schoolers Discover Four Exoplanets Through Harvard & Smithsonian Mentorship Program
Telescopes and Instruments
1.2 Meter (48-inch) Telescope
Visit the 1.2-Meter (48 Inch) Telescope Website
1.3 Meter Telescope
Visit the 1.3 Meter Telescope Website
1.5-meter Tillinghast (60-inch) Telescope
CfA Operated (OIR) | Open to CfA Scientists | Active
Visit the 1.5 Meter (60 Inch) Tillinghast Telescope Website
Giant Magellan Telescope
Visit the GMT Website
High Accuracy Radial Velocity Planet Searcher-North (HARPS-N)
Visit the HARPS-N Website
Hungarian-made Automated Telescope Network (HATNet)
Visit the HATNet Website
Kepler/K2
Visit the Kepler/K2 Website
Magellan Telescopes
Visit the Magellan Telescopes Website
MEarth
Visit the MEarth Website
MINiature Exoplanet Radial Velocity Array (MINERVA)
Visit the MINERVA Website
MMT Observatory
Visit the MMT Website
Solar and Heliospheric Observer (SOHO)
Visit the SOHO/UVCS Website
Spitzer Space Telescope
Visit the Spitzer Space Telescope IRAC Page
Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS)
Visit the TESS Website