Bergstralh, Jay T.

Jay T. Bergstralh, a planetary astronomer who played a vital role in the planning and launching of the Voyager mission in 1977. After earning his Ph.D. in Astronomy from the University of Texas (Austin) in 1968 and 1972, he began his career as a fellow with the National Research Council from 1972-74, before moving on to join NASA in their Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Solar System Exploration Division from 1974 to present, serving as Acting Director of the Division from 2000 to 2002. His research interests include: Planetary astronomy and radioactive transfer, especially spectroscopic line formation in the atmospheres of the giant planets.