Hi LeAnn,

In my current job, I study the physics of the Earth's magnetosphere and processes related to the Van Allen radiation belts, geomagnetic storms, substorms, and the aurora borealis. In my Solar Week bio there is a story there about how I got interested in space physics after seeing the northern lights in my hometown in Minnesota. So, I guess you could say yes, that one of my childhood hobbies actually did influence my career choice!

Kris

Hi LeAnn,

When I was in high school (and even earlier) astronomy was one of my hobbies. I was in an astronomy club and we would learn about astronomy and have star parties where we would go out an look through telescopes.

So that clearly is related to what I do now, although now I don't do it as a hobby any more - I do enough at work and have other hobbies for my time off work.

Terry