Dr. Gordon Shepherd

Biography

Gordon Shepherd is a professor in the Faculty of Science at York University, specializing in atmospheric dynamics and space instrumentation. His research encompasses various aspects of the upper atmosphere, focusing on the effects of solar energy interactions that produce optical emissions, known as airglow and auroras. He has developed specialized instrumentation to study these phenomena, particularly using the Doppler Michelson Interferometer technique which yields spectral imaging of the atmosphere. Shepherd served as the Principal Investigator for the Wind Imaging Interferometer (WINDII), an instrument that operated from 1991 to 2003 aboard NASA's Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite, acquiring over 23 million images that contribute to our understanding of upper atmospheric dynamics and the distribution of atmospheric species. He collaborates on projects like the Cubesat satellite mission aimed at measuring upper atmosphere wave properties, leveraging ground-based observatories such as the optical facility in Resolute Bay, Northern Canada. His work has garnered support from agencies including NSERC and the Canadian Space Agency, reflecting his commitment to advancing research in planetary physics through computational and experimental methods.

Research Interests