Robert Greene works for Jet Propulsion Laboratories.
He has a COOL JOB as an AVIRIS Science Experimental.

His Gig:
Robert Green spends his days working with an instrument that measures the detailed color spectrum of the earth. AVIRIS is an acronym for the Airborne Visible Infrared Imaging Spectrometer. The instrument flies aboard a NASA ER-2 airplane — a U2 plane maintained for civilian use — at 20 km above sea level, and 730 km/hr. AVIRIS has measured science data all across the US, plus Canada, Europe, and Brazil. The main objective of the AVIRIS project is to identify, measure, and monitor the Earth’s surface and atmosphere based on molecular absorption and particle scattering signatures expressed in the AVIRIS
spectra. AVIRIS research is geared towards understanding the global environment and climate change. Research areas include Ecology, Oceanography, Geology, Snow hydrology and Cloud and atmospheric studies.

Career Path:
Green became interested in this approach to remote sensing back in 1982 when he heard a lecture by Gregg Vane (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) about imaging spectroscopy. He decided it was interesting and created andpursued his own career path by studying and getting to know the players in the field.

A Day in the Life Of:
Some of Green’s most interesting work days have taken him to study coral reefs in Hawaii, Snow and Ice studies in Alaska and Fire damage evaluation in Brazil. In June he was in Poland for a week presenting research papers to fellow researchers. He spends a lot of time at analyzing the spectra measured by AVIRIS.

High Five:
“Not having to do the same thing every day and working with bright people.”

Down Low:
“Bureaucracy.”

Words from the Wise:
“Take math, physics and chemistry. With a good education and interest you can be in this field.”

Wish List:
“To get a spacecraft that does the same thing because it gives us access all over the world.”

Education:
Bachelors in Geology, Masters in Applied Science and soon a PhD from University of California, Santa Barbara.

For more information:
AVIRIS