Ana Glidden

Welcome!

I am Dr. Ana Glidden, a postdoctoral researcher at MIT in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Science and the Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research. I explore the nature of planets in other solar systems, known as “extrasolar planets” or simply “exoplanets.” Through my research, I seek to understand how exoplanets form and evolve and whether they might be able to support life.

To do this, I combine cutting-edge space telescope observations with atmospheric models to uncover the subtle fingerprints of a planet's atmosphere. Much of my work focuses on data from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which observes distant planets with unprecedented precision. I am developing next-generation analysis techniques to robustly characterize exoplanet atmospheres using JWST and future instruments.

Part of my research also focuses on exoplanet host stars. Host star properties are essential for understanding the environments in which planets form, assessing their habitability, and accurately characterizing planetary atmospheres. Because we observe planets by studying the light from their host star as it passes through their atmospheres, our understanding of a planet's atmosphere depends on how well we understand the host star's spectrum.

The big-picture goal of my research is to answer some of the most profound questions in astronomy: How common are planets like Earth? Is there life elsewhere in the universe?