• Physics and Astronomy Colloquium

February 27, 2026 3:30 PM - February 27, 2026 4:30 PM
PAIS 1100

Host:

Greg Taylor

Presenter:

Bryan Butler (NRAO)

Observations of solar system objects at long wavelengths (sub-mm and
longer) are important because they probe to regions in the atmospheres
and subsurfaces of these bodies which are unique.  They can therefore
help determine the properties (mainly temperature and composition) of
these regions in the bodies.  The world's most powerful telescopes at
sub-mm to cm wavelengths are the Atacama Large Millimeter and
submillimeter Array (ALMA; sub-mm to mm), and the Very Large Array (VLA;
cm to m).  I will present observations in the past few years using these
telescopes of giant planets, icy satellites, icy dwarf planets, and
asteroids.

About Bryan Butler

I am currently employed by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) as a permanent staff scientist (Continuing Appointment) in Socorro, New Mexico.   Before being hired to the permanent staff, I was a Jansky Postdoctoral Researcher at NRAO (1994-1996).   My primary research involves using long wavelength observations (sub-millimeter to meter wavelengths) to to determine the radio emission and reflection properties of planetary atmospheres and surfaces of bodies in our solar system.   The two main instruments that I use for this work are the Very Large Array (VLA) and Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) .   I am currently working mainly in the VLA/VLBA Science Support Division, within the New Mexico Operations Department of NRAO. I also do work for the design of the construction and operation of the next generation VLA (ngVLA).