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Short Biography

Portrait of Erika Harnett

Erika Harnett
  Research Assistant Professor
  Office: JHN-267
     ESS Mailing Address
  Phone: 206-543-0212
  Fax: 206-543-0489 (shared)
  E-Mail: eharnett@ess.washington.edu
  Homepage: http://earthweb.ess.washington.edu/eharnett

  Research Groups: Space Physics, Planetary Sciences

Areas of Interest:
Space Physics, Advanced Computing, Planetary Science, Astrobiology and Comparative Planetology

Education:
Ph.D. : Geophysics, University of Washington (2003) - Theoretical space physics
M.S. : Physics, University of Washington (1998) - High energy particle astrophysics
UG : Math and Physics, University of Washington (1995)

Current Research Interests:
I study the solar wind interaction with weakly magnetized planets and moons such as the Moon and Mars to investigate how magnetic anomalies may affect the plasma interactions. I am also interested in comparing and contrasting the dynamic processes occuring at different planetary magnetospheres.
In addition, I am involved in developing advanced computing techniques to create models for Space Weather applications that are not only accurate but can be run at speeds to allow them to be used as predictive models.

Graduate Students:

  • Darci Snowden
  • Ariah Kidder
  • Michele Cash

Selected Publications:
Harnett, E.M., R.M. Winglee, A. Stickle, and G. Lu (2008), "Prompt Ionospheric/Magnetospheric Responces to Oct. 29, 2003 Halloween Storm: Outflow and Energization", J. Geophys. Res.,113, A06209, doi:10.1029/2007JA012810.

Winglee, R. M., and E. M. Harnett (2007), Radiation mitigation at the Moon by the terrestrial magnetosphere, Geophys. Res. Lett., 34, L21103, doi:10.1029/2007GL030507

Harnett, E. M., and R. M. Winglee (2007), "High resolution multi-fluid simulations of the plasma environment near the Martian magnetic anomalies", J. Geophys. Res, 112, A05207, doi:10.1029/2006JA012001

Harnett, E., R. Winglee and C. Paty (2006), "Multi-scale/multi-fluid simulations of the post plasmoid current sheet in the terrestrial magnetosphere", Geophys. Res. Lett., 33, L21110, doi:10.1029/2006GL027376

Harnett, E., R. Winglee, and P. Delamere, "3D multi-fluid simulations of Pluto's magnetosphere - a comparison with 3D hybrid simulation results", Geophys. Res. Lett., 32, L19104, doi:10.1029/2005GL023178, 2005

Harnett, E. and Winglee, R., "2.5-D particle and MHD simulation of mini-magnetospheres at the Moon", JGR, vol. 107, 10.1029/2002JA009241, Dec. 4 2002