At the forefront of astronomical research, Dr. Jensen-Clem is reshaping how we explore the cosmos. Nestled within a lab amid the towering redwoods, she collaborates with her students on groundbreaking technologies that enhance the capabilities of the Keck Observatory’s massive honeycomb mirror. This mirror, complemented by smaller “deformable” mirrors, is designed to achieve optimal clarity in astronomical imaging. The challenge? Earth’s atmosphere. Atmospheric distortions can significantly blur the images collected from celestial bodies, making it imperative to innovate methods that counteract these effects dynamically.
Jensen-Clem’s focus on adaptive optics isn’t new; this imaging technique has been in use since the 1990s. However, she is elevating this approach through the development of extreme adaptive optics technologies. These advanced tools promise to deliver unparalleled image quality over a limited field of view. By addressing challenges such as wind interference and imperfections in the primary mirror, Jensen-Clem aims to enable astronomers to observe even the faintest planets, which may be eclipsed by their much brighter host stars. Imagine witnessing a distant world, barely visible but meticulously rendered through cutting-edge adaptive optics!
The fruits of her labor were recognized in April when Jensen-Clem, alongside her former collaborator Maaike van Kooten, received the prestigious New Horizons in Physics Prize from the Breakthrough Prize Foundation. This award underscores their innovative research and its potential to pave the way for the direct detection of the tiniest exoplanets. Jensen-Clem’s strategies—born from years of dedication and experimentation—are transforming the landscape of astrophysics.
ETHAN TWEEDIE
Jensen-Clem shares her enthusiasm for the pursuit of knowledge: “In adaptive optics, we spend a lot of time on simulations or in the lab. It’s been a long road to see that I’ve actually made things better at the observatory in the past few years.” Her commitment to constant improvement reflects the essence of scientific inquiry, showcasing her drive to overcome obstacles in the name of exploration.
Her journey into the world of astronomy began at a young age. The curious seventh-grader embraced the complex ideas surrounding black holes, thanks to her father, an aerospace engineer. Pursuing her passion further at MIT, she discovered a fascination with how celestial objects can seemingly vanish from view, an experience that laid the groundwork for her later work with exoplanets and adaptive optics.
“If you just look up at the night sky and see stars twinkling, it’s happening fast. So we have to go fast too.”
Her early career took a pivotal turn when she secured an internship at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The hands-on experience included refining the orientation of large mirrors—an intricate process that differs greatly from working with more adaptable, smaller mirrors. With a vision of applying these advanced techniques back at Keck Observatory, Jensen-Clem laid the foundation for her future endeavors.
The concept of installing a Zernike wavefront sensor on Keck’s primary mirror wasn’t just a fleeting idea; it became a long-term goal. After years of development and testing, she achieved a significant milestone when the system was implemented successfully about a year ago. Her words encapsulate the excitement of that moment: “My work as a college intern is finally done.” This triumphant sentiment reflects the culmination of a journey marked by determination, innovation, and an insatiable curiosity about the universe.
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