Celeste Hagee

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. My main research interests include exoplanet atmospheres, habitability, and mission planning. I am excited to be applying to graduate schools to deepen my knowledge through academics and research.

Celeste Hagee

Post-Bac

Email:

Hagee.celeste.2020 @ gmail.com

Research

EXPERIENCE

Post-Bac Research

September 2024 - Present

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

I work with Bayesian Analysis for Remote Biosigniture Identification on exoEarths (BARBIE) to analyze how detectability of molecules - molecules that indicate life - 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 these biosignitures with different conditions.

Undergraudate DiRAC Research

June 2023 - Present

University of Washington

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.

Presentations

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 will give an oral presentation on the results from BARBIE4 which addresses the detectability of CO2 and CO 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:

The first presentation was about my summer research with Gaia
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

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

Celeste Hagee, Confirming the Periods of Eclipsing Binaries HW Virginis and 1SWASP J093012.84+533859.6, for Introduction to Astronomical Data Analysis course at the University of Washington

Celeste Hagee, The Search for Habitability on Mars Following the Phoenix Mars Lander, for Space and Space Travel course at the University of Washington

Papers

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.

EXPERIENCE

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.