I'm Celeste!
In June 2024, I graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor's degree in comprehensive physics and astronomy with a minor in American Sign Language. I'm currently a post-bac at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. I will start as a graduate student at UC Riverside in the Earth and Planetary Sciences Department in the fall! My main research interests include exoplanet atmospheres, habitability, and mission planning.
Celeste Hagee
Post-Bac
Email:
Hagee.celeste.2020 @ gmail.com
Research
Post-Bac Research
September 2024 - Present
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
I work with the Bayesian Analysis for Remote Biosigniture Identification on exoEarths (BARBIE) Methodology to analyze how the detectability of carbon dioxide varies with signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), molecular abundance, and wavelength. We can use BARBIE to constrain the long wavelength limit for the Habitable Worlds Observatory by analyzing if and where we can detect CO2 with different conditions.
Undergraudate DiRAC Research
University of Washington
June 2023 - Present
Gaia releases uncalibrated spectra of variable light sources. In order to unlock spectra for thousands of variable stellar objects, I built a data-driven response model using the Gaia Photometric Science epochal BP/RP spectra from Type Ia supernoave that accurately calibrates these spectra.
Undergraduate Astriobiology Research
April 2022 - June 2023
University of Washington
I aided to the analysis of the atmosphere of 55 cancri e, a lava planet by tophatting the spectra, which is essential because it reverses the effects of signal smearing over the pixels caused by long exposure times.
Conferences & Presentations
I've had the opportunity to share my science with the community! Here are the conferences I've been to and the (oral & poster) presentations I've given.
245th AAS
In January 2025, I gave an oral presentation on the results from BARBIE4 which addresses the detectability of CO2 titled, Constraining the Long Wavelength Limit for the Habitable Worlds Observatory Coronagraph with BARBIE and KEN.
Exoplanets in our Backyward
In November 2024, I gave a poster presentation about how BARBIE works and the motivation behind it.
HWO Face-2-Face
In October 2024, I gave a poster presentation on BARBIE and our preliminary conclusions about what we think the long-wavelength cut-off should be for the Habitable Worlds Observatory.
243rd AAS
In January 2024, I gave a poster presentation on my work on building a response model to calibrate spectra from the Gaia Photometric Science Alerts titled Unlocking the Long Term Potential for Spectral Temporal Astrophysics Studies with Gaia.
UW Summer Research Prize
In September 2023, I gave an oral presentation on my research that I did over the summer about building a response model to calibrate spectra from the Gaia Photometric Science Alerts.
UW AstroFest
In September 2023, I gave two oral presentations:
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The first presentation was about my summer research with Gaia
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The second presentation was about what solar telescope and equipment we were able to purchase as a result of winning a Student Technology Fee (STF) grant; a proposal which I led.
241st AAS
In January 2023, I gave an oral presentation on my research on analyzing the atmosphere on the lava planet, 55 Cancri e, called Hot Topic: A Low Pressure Atmosphere for Lava Planet 55 Cancri e.
Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics
In January 2023, I gave a poster presentation on my research on analyzing the atmosphere of the lava planet, 55 Cancri e.
Papers & Publications
Kaitlin C. Rasmussen, Miles H. Currie, Celeste Hagee, et al., A Non-Detection of Iron in the First High-Resolution Emission Study of the Lava Planet 55 Cnc e, AJ, 2023
Celeste Hagee, Natasha Latouf, Avi M. Mandell, et al. Using Bayesian Analysis for Remote Biosignature Identification on exoEarths (BARBIE) in Coronagraphy Observation Simulations for CO2 and CO, in prep
Anastasios Tzanidakis, Celeste Hagee, James R. A. Davenport, et al., Unlocking the Long Term Potential for Spectral Temporal Astrophysics Studies with Gaia, in prep
Outreach
Theodor Jacobsen Observatory
March 2022 - June 2024
University of Washington
At the Theodor Jacobsen Observatory, I handled all communications between guests, speakers, and volunteers. I was trained to run the TJO website as well as use the 130 year-old telescope.
Outreach Coordinator
University of Washington
November 2022 - June 2024
As the outreach coordinator for the astronomy department at UW, I handled admin and advising tasks as well as coordinating with guests for the UW Planetarium.
League of Astronomers President
September 2022 - June 2024
University of Washington
As the League of Astronomers President for two years, I coordinated communications between undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty. I utilized my creativity and leadership skills to develop and lead LoA meetings and special events, including trips to the Manastash Ridge Observatory (MRO), Social Hours, and Star Prom. I continuously worked on building a positive and welcoming community within the astronomy department at UW.
Undergraduate Physics Mentor
October 2022 - June 2024
University of Washington
I mentored three lowerclassmen by giving advice on how to study for classes, to escape imposter syndrome, and which classes to take. I also helped read over admissions essays to the major and application essays to REUs.
NASA Eclipse Ambassador
October 2022 - June 2024
NASA
I trained to become an Eclipse Ambassador to reach underrepresented groups. We hosted an event for the solar eclipse so that people could learn more about it and get glasses to watch the actual event.
Mobile Planetarium
March 2022 - June 2024
University of Washington
I volunteered to help set up and give planetary shows around the Pacific Northwest to schools and community centers.
SKILLS
Python
Microsoft
American Sign Language
Planetary Spectrum Generator
LaTeX
Canva
Fun Facts About Me!
My support system (:
