Online From Jupiter 97

Elias Barbinis

Near Infrared Mapping Spectrometer Assistant Science Coordinator

My name is Elias Barbinis. I was born in Athens Greece in 1952. I am married and I have two children, Sophia Rose, 6 years old, and Nicholas Wayne, 3 years old. I live in North Hills.

I work for UCLA at JPL as an assistant science coordinator for the Galileo Near Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (NIMS). I have been working on the Galileo project since November of 1988. My work for NIMS involves providing support for the design of observations of Jupiter's atmosphere and its Galilean satellites (i.e., Callisto, Europa, Ganymede and Io). Also, I am working on the analysis of the scientific and engineering data that we receive from NIMS. The NIMS observations of Jupiter's atmosphere will provide information about its chemical composition and structure. The NIMS observations of Jupiter's Galilean satellites will provide information about the chemical composition of their surfaces.

The most exciting thing about my work is that I learn about new worlds in our universe. It is fascinating to explore them through the tools of space science!

I prepared for this job by studying Physics at UCLA, where I received a Ph.D. degree in 1988. My studies in Physics helped me appreciate the beauty and order of the universe as they are expressed through a few laws of nature.

My hobbies include Astronomy, computers, music and sailing. I have an 8 inch telescope (a Newtonian reflector) and I enjoy making astronomical observations with it. Also, I enjoy reading magazines on astronomy (such as, Sky & Telescope, Astronomy and Planetary Report).

As a kid, I liked to do my own experiments in Physics and Chemistry. One of the experiments I tried at an early age was electrolysis and I was very fascinated by it! My parents always encouraged me in my scientific endeavors.