Rob Sheldon

Recent Photos

What! Am I not working hard enough?

The original church that started "A Civil Action"


The man who inspired "A Civil Action"

Recent Proposals:

• The Radiation Belt Storm Probes: Radiation Belt Distribution Imager
• Characterization of dusty plasma sails
• Cusp Diamagnetic Cavities (PostScript) (PDF)
• The Magnetospheric Mapping Mission (PostScript) (Acrobat PDF)
• Remote Sensing of Magnetospheric Structure Using (U,B,K) Analysis of GGS Particle and Field Data (PostScript)
(Acrobat PDF)

Recent Books:

1. Laser Satellite Communication: The Third Generation

Recent Papers:

1. Space Sciences, in Mass Spectrometry: Instrumentation, Interpretation, and Applications (2009): (Acrobat PDF)
2. SPIE 2008: Cosmological Evolution: Spatial Relativity and the Speed of Life(Acrobat PDF)
3. SPIE 2007: The Cometary Biosphere(Acrobat PDF)
4. Physics of Plasmas 2006: On the Current Sheet Model with κ-distribution(Acrobat PDF)
5. SPIE 2006: Water on Comets: Deep Impact, Stardust, and Hayabusa(Acrobat PDF)
6. JGR 2005: Solid and grid sphere current collection in view of the tethered satellite system(Acrobat PDF). ( Abstract)
7. JGR 2005: Comparison of energetic ions in cusp and outer radiation belt. ( Abstract)
8. JGR 2005: Multiple spacecraft observations of energetic ions during a high solar wind pressure event. ( Abstract)
9. 2005 AIAA Proceedings: A Dusty Plasma Based Fission Fragment Rocket (Acrobat PDF)
10. 2005 SPIE Proceedings :
    • Evidence for Liquid Water on Comets (Acrobat PDF)
    • Historical Development of the Distinction between Bio- and Abiogenesis (Acrobat PDF)
11. 2004 SPIE Proceedings: Astrobiology of Comets (Acrobat PDF)
12. Submitted to: AGU Monograph 2006 (Chattanooga Workshop 2004): The Quadrupole as a Source of Cusp Energetic Particles: II. The Static Equinoctal Cusp (Acrobat PDF)
13. AGU Monograph 2005 (Lake Guntersville Workshop 2002): The Quadrupole as a Source of Cusp Energetic Particles: I. General Considerations (Acrobat PDF)
14. NFFP 2003: Dusty Plasma Solar Sail Feasibility Study (PostScript) (Acrobat PDF)
15. JGR 2003: Comment on "Origins of energetic ions in the cusp" by Trattner et al. (PostScript) (Acrobat PDF)
16. JGR 2003: Comment on "MeV magnetosheath ions energized at the bow shock" by S.-W. Chang et al." (PostScript) (Acrobat PDF)
17. JGR 2003: Radiation Pressure Measurements on Micron Grains (PostScript) (Acrobat PDF)
18. STAIF 2002: Dynamic and Optical Characterization of Dusty Plasmas for Use as Solar Sails (PostScript) (Acrobat PDF)
19. Physics of Plasmas, 2001, The UAH Spinning Terrella Accelerator (PostScript) (Acrobat PDF)
20. Submitted to: JGR Special POLAR issue, On the Origin of Outer Radiation Belt Electrons (PostScript) (Acrobat PDF)
21. UAH Minigrant Seminar, 1999. The UAH Spinning Terrella Accelerator (PostScript) (Acrobat PDF) The Website
22. JASTP 1999 (Lake Guntersville Workshop, 1998). Tomographic ENA Imaging from Low-Earth Orbit (PostScript) (Acrobat PDF)
    First Draft: TENACIOUS: The Tomographic ENA Comprehensive Ion and Optical University Satellite (PostScript) (Acrobat PDF)
23. JGR 99: Simulation of off-equatorial ring current ion spectra measured by POLAR for a moderate storm at solar minimum.
24. COSPAR 1998, Nagoya Japan.
    • The Role of the Cusp as a Source of Magnetospheric Particles: A New Paradigm?
    • The Bimodal Magnetosphere and Radiation Belt, Ring Current and Tail Transducers (PostScript) (Acrobat PDF)
25. Russian Conference, 1997: Cusp energetic particle events measured by POLAR Spacecraft
26. Radiation Belt Conference in Paros, Greece 1997. Magnetic Local Time Survey of Radiation Belt Helium Ion Structure Conducted with Data from the POLAR CAMMICE/HIT Instrument (PostScript) (Acrobat PDF)
27. GRL 1998. The Discovery of Trapped Energetic Electrons in the Outer Cusp (PostScript) (Acrobat PDF)
28. GRL 1998. Observation of 40keV Field-Aligned Subauroral Ion Beams (PostScript) (Acrobat PDF) (GRL)
29. JGR 1998. Cusp Energetic Particle Events: Implications for a Major Acceleration Region of the Magnetosphere (PostScript)
30. AGU 1997. The Kilo-satellite Constellation Concept (Acrobat PDF)
31. GRL 1997. A New Temporarily Confined Population in the Polar Cap During the August 27, 1996 Geomagnetic Field Distortion Period (PostScript)
32. GRL 1997. Particle Transport in the Magnetosphere: A New Diffusion Model (PostScript) (Acrobat PDF)
33. GRL 1997. First energetic neutral atom images from Polar (PostScript) (Acrobat PDF) Correspondence
34. COSPAR 1996. Alfven Boundaries: Noses and Zippers (PostScript) (Acrobat PDF)
35. WWW 1996. George Siscoe's White Paper (April 96) on Multiprobes (PostScript) (Acrobat PDF)
36. Huntsville 1996. Huntsville Workshop: A New Magnetic Storm Model (PostScript) (Acrobat PDF)
37. JGR 1994. On Transport and Loss in the Earth's Symmetric Quiet Ring Current: II. Diffusion and Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling (Acrobat PDF)
38. JGR 1993. Ion Transport and Loss in the Earth's Symmetric Quiet Ring Current: I. Data and Standard Model (Acrobat PDF)
39. GRL 1993. Particle Tracing in the Magnetosphere: New Algorithms and Results (Acrobat PDF)
40. STEP 1992. Plasmasheet Convection into the Inner Magnetosphere During Quiet Conditions (Acrobat PDF)

Papers in Progress:

1. "Spinning Terrella Plasma Experiment: Plasma Trapping and Transport", Physics of Plasmas 2002 (HTML)

Rejected Papers:

1. GRL 1996: A paper rejected without rebuttal first for being "not believable".
   • (PostScript) (Acrobat PDF) and The GRL correspondence.
   • The revised and finally rejected version: Revised: A New Magnetic Storm Model (PostScript) (Acrobat PDF) and the Cover letter and Final comments
2. GRL 1997: A paper more properly rejected. (Kudos to GRL editor Robert Winglee for due process.)
   • 1st Draft: On the Physical Origin and Prediction of Killer Electron Storms and Comments to Version 1
   • 2nd Draft: On the Physical Origin of Outer Radiation Belt 1-10 MeV Electrons (PostScript) (Acrobat PDF) and Comments to Version 2
   • Last and Rejected Draft: On the Physical Origin of Outer Radiation Belt 1-10 MeV Electrons (PostScript) (Acrobat PDF) and Comments to Version 3
3. Publish & Perish: Lessons Learned.
4. Science, 1998: Discovery of 2nd Trapping Region in Magnetosphere
5. Nature, 2005: A July 4 prediction "Will Deep Impact Make a Splash?":
   Cover : Paper : Receipt : Reply : (Other formats)
6. JGR 2006, "The Quadrupole Cusp III.
   The Quadrupole as a Source of Energetic Particles: III. High Speed Solar Wind Streams and MeV electrons
PDF version Correspondence

Recent Conferences Organized:

1. 2008 Huntsville Workshop
2. Huntsville 2000: A New View of Geospace

Recent Talks:

1. SPIE 2008 San Diego Astrobiology section: Cosmological Evolution: Spatial Relativity and the Speed of Life
2. Reasons To Believe, 2008, Huntsville: The Bible and the Evidence for Extra-Terrestrial Life ( Real Media video, 16MB)
3. SPIE 2007 San Diego Astrobiology section: The Cometary Biosphere
4. NSSTC Spring 2007: The NanoSat Revolution
5. NSSTC Fall 2006: Noctilucent Clouds, Polar Mesospheric Summer Echoes, and Dusty Plasmas
6. Huntsville Workshop 10/2006: The ionospheric source of radiation belt particles
7. SPIE 2006 San Diego Astrobiology section: Implications of Cometary Water: Deep Impact, Stardust, and Hyabusa
8. NSSTC Summer 2006 Seminar: The 4th Law of Thermodynamics: power laws, coronal heating, reconnection & life
9. Taylor University, Physics Dept: The Outer Van Allen Radiation Belt and the RBSP Mission
10. NSSTC Spring 2006 Seminar: The Outer Van Allen Radiation Belt and the RBSP Mission
11. ESSE 2006 (Earth Sun System Exploration): Solar Wind Energy Coupling Through The Cusp(Poster)
12. SPIE 2005 San Diego Astrobiology section: Evidence for Liquid Water on Comets
13. AIAA Joint Propulsion Conference 7/2005 Tucson: A Dusty Plasma Based Fission Fragment Nuclear Reactor/Rocket
14. NSF/GEM 6/2005 Santa Fe:
    • Earth's Quadrupole Cusp
    • Third Invariant Kinetic Codes: 4D phase space
    • Comments on Non-resonant Acceleration
    • Space Weather Prediction: Cosmic Rays
15. NSSTC 5/2005: Fission Fragment Nuclear Rocket
16. APW 4/05 Huntsville: Dusty Solar Plasma Sails
17. Chapman Conference 2/2005 Manaus (Corotating Solar Wind Streams and Recurrent Geomagnetic Activity): High Speed Streams & Earth's Quadrupole Cusp: Implications for ORBE
18. NSSTC 10/2004: Can Comets Contain Water? A "Wet" Comet Theory
19. Huntsville Workshop 10/2004: A High Latitude Source for -Radiation Belt Particles?
20. ORBITALS Conference 9/2004: A High Latitude Source for Outer Radiation Belt Electrons?
21. NSSTC 7/2004: High Resolution Mass Spectrometry in Space Exploration: Past Triumphs, Present Goals, Future Progress
22. NSF/GEM 6/2004:
    • The Quadrupole Cusp: The Most Efficient Accelerator of MeV Electrons
    • The Quadrupole Electric Field as seen in the Lab and Space: an effective method for extracting ionospheric plasma
23. RTB 4/2004 Huntsville: Augustine & 20th Century Cosmology
24. NSSTC 3/2004: The Quadrupole Cusp: A Universal Accelerator (HTML)
25. NSSTC 10/2003: Magnetized Laboratory Plasmas and Astrophysical Jets (HTML)
26. NFFP 8/2003 Huntsville: Dusty Plasma Solar Sails (HTML) (Paper)
27. IPELS 6/2003 Montana: Magnetically Inhomogeneous Plasmas & Space Charge (HTML)
28. Wheaton College Science Symposium 3/2003: Augustine and 20th Century Cosmology (HTML)
29. Wheaton College Seminar 2/2003: Rockets, Stars and Jars (HTML)
30. Wheaton College Science Division Seminar 11/2002: Physics Nobel Prize 2002: Riccardo Giacconi (HTML)
31. COSPAR 10/2002:
    • Electromagnetically trapped dusty plasma ring (HTML Version)
    • A Scalable Model of Radiation Belt Dynamics (Powerpoint Poster)
    • HELIX: A versatile plasma composition spectrometer (Powerpoint Poster) (dataplot)
32. Wheaton College Science Division Seminar 10/2002: Augustine and 20th Century Physics (PostScript) (Acrobat PDF)
33. MOP 8/2002: Electrostatic trapping of 3u SiO2 dust around a dipole magnet (Postscript) (PDF) (HTML)
34. AGU Spring 02:
    • The Consequences of Cusp Trapping (HTML)
    • Field-aligned potentials (HTML)
35. STAIF 02 (Space Technologies and Applications International Forum): Characterization of Dusty Plasmas for Solar Sails (HTML)
36. AGU Fall 01:
    • UBK-space visualization tool for the magnetosphere (HTML)
    • Laboratory visualization of the global Magnetic Topology (HTML)
    • HELIX: A Solar Wind Composition Instrument (HTML)
37. AGU Spring 01:
    • Solar Wind Heating as a non-Markovian Process: Levy Flight, Fractional Calculus and k-functions (HTML)
    • The Spinning Terrella Experiment: A Laboratory Model of Geomagnetic Storms (HTML)
    • The Spinning Terrella Experiment: Laboratory Analog of Earth's Magnetosphere (HTML)
38. NSSTC April 12, 2001 (Astrophysical Jets Mini-Symposium): The Spinning Magnet Accelerator (HTML)
39. APW Spring 01 (Advanced Propulsion Workshop): Can Ultralight Sails be Made from Dust? (HTML)
40. AGU 2000 Spring/Fall: The UAH Spinning Terrella Accelerator
41. Huntsville 2000 : Ionospheric Sources of Stormtime RC and Plasmasheet Populations (HTML version)
42. UAH Fall 00 Colloquium/PH110: Magnetic Ballooning Through the Solar System (HTML)
43. Chapman Conference 2000: The Prediction of MeV Killer Electrons at GEO
44. AGU Spring 00: Cusp Diamagnetic Cavities (HTML)
45. MSFC Spring 00: Cusp Diamagnetic Cavities and Space Lightning (HTML)
46. CCA FALL 99: COMETS:Past and Future
47. UAH Fall 99: A History of Space Physics: PHYSICS 110, November 3, 1999 ( HTML )
48. AGU Fall 99 Meeting:
    • HELIX: A Triple-Focussing Mass Spectrometer for Space Missions
    • The Spinning Terrella Accelerator
    • The Magnetospheric Cusp: A Quadrupole Trap and Stochastic Accelerator at the Planets
49. UAH SEDS 99: The Future in Space: the Promise of Nanosats
50. Yellowstone 99: Transport in the Magnetosphere Charged Fluid Transport in the Magnetosphere ( HTML)
51. AGU Spring 99: Composition and Acceleration Processes of Magnetic Storms
52. UAH Advanced Propulsion Workshop, April 99: Solar Sails with Tether Propulsion
53. MSFC Mar 99: The Nano-Satellite Kilo-Constellation
54. SEC Mar 99: Nanosat Magnetometry
55. AGU Fall 98: The Quasi-Neutrality Catastrophe: kV Field-Aligned Potentials
56. UAH Fall 98 Colloquium: Space Plasma Accelerators: Cosmic CERNs and SLACs
57. Lake Guntersville 98: TENACIOUS: The Tomographic ENA Comprehensive Ion and Optical University Satellite
58. COSPAR 98 Meeting: The Bimodal Magnetosphere
59. AGU Spring 98: The Bimodal Magnetosphere: RC vs MeV Storms
60. UAH Spring 98 Colloquium : Two Storm Accelerators
61. GSFC Spring 98 SEC WORKSHOP : Stochastic Acceleration
62. AGU Fall 97 Meeting: The Difference between Storms and Substorms
63. IAGA/GEM 97:
    • The Bimodal Magnetosphere
    • The New Storm Model: Comparing Jan 10,1997 and Apr 15, 1996
64. AGU Spring 97:
    • The Magnetospheric Mapping Mission
    • The Energetic Particle Response to the January 10 Magnetic Cloud
65. Dartmouth College Seminar (Feb 97)
66. BU Spring 97 Seminar
67. AGU Fall 96 Meeting:
    • Dynamic Data Driven Diffusion Coefficients
    • The Greater Cusp Accelerator
    • A New Magnetic Storm Model
68. Guntersville Meeting (Sep 96)
69. COSPAR 96:A New Storm Model
70. AGU Spring 96 Meeting:
    • High Latitude Alfven Boundaries: New Polar Results
71. Older Posters

Recent Courses Taught

• Spring 2003, Physics 494, Senior Seminar
• Spring 2003, Physics 341, Analytical Mechanics
• Spring 2003, Physics Lab, Introductory Physics 2nd Sem
• Fall 2002, Physics Lab, Introductory Physics 1st Sem
• Fall 2002, Physics 231, Introductory Physics w/Calculus, 1st Sem
• Spring 2002, Honors Seminar H399: Physics, Philosophy, and Fundamentalism
• Spring 2001, Honors Seminar H399: Physics, Philosophy, and Fundamentalism
• Fall 2000, Physics 106: Introduction to Astronomy
• Summer 2000, Physics 113: Introductory Physics w/Calculus, 3rd Semester
• Spring 2000, Physics 113: Introductory Physics w/Calculus, 3rd Semester
• Fall 1999, Physics 337: Electronics for Physicists
• Spring 1999, Physics 112: Introductory Physics w/Calculus, 2nd Semester

A not so recent geomagnetic storm:

Recent Bible Studies

• The Book of Revelation
• Wheaton Dept Chapel 2002
• The Book of Job
• On Cloning
• On Creationism and Evolution
• Viruses, Genes, and Sin
• Augustine and 20th Century Cosmology
  • HTML Paper (addenda Paper On Materialism)
  • PowerPoint (2.7MB)
  • HTML slides of PowerPoint
  • RealVideo (Small) of 3hr lecture (44MB) or LARGE (571MB) (requires Real Player (Windows 10MB) or go to free download)
  • MPEG Lecture 1/3 (716MB) and Lecture 2/3 (630MB) and Lecture 3/3 (600MB)
• Time, Eternity, and Quantum Mechanics
• The Idea of a Christian University

Recent Book Reviews

• Harry Potter

Other Links