Dr. Sarah E. Moran

 I study planets in the Solar System, planets around other stars (called exoplanets), and brown dwarfs (objects slightly too small to be stars). Through lab experiments & computer models, I investigate the potential clouds and hazes on other worlds. I want to figure out how these aerosols affect the overall atmosphere, change our observations of distant worlds, and impact their physics and chemistry. 

I'm particularly interested in the Ice Giants of the Solar System and in super-Earths and mini-Neptunes, which have no Solar System analogue. I also love hot Jupiters, which are our best observational tool to understand exotic aerosol behavior beyond the Solar System.