Jennifer Lynn Bartlett

Jennifer Lynn Bartlett is the Kinnear Chair in Physics at the U.S. Naval Observatory and author of Solar System: Between Fire and Ice. She previously promoted traditional celestial navigation at the US Naval Observatory and taught introductory astronomy at Hampden-Sydney College. The American Astronomical Society selected her as a Legacy Fellow in 2020. Before earning her doctorate at the University of Virginia, she had a professional career as an engineer.

Dr. Bartlett is the mother of a student at Kenmore Middle School and former Arlington Public School student herself. Since leaving the H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program, she earned a earned her PhD in astronomy at the University of Virginia. As part of her dissertation research, she detected nearly one exoplanet, investigated early reports of planets orbiting Barnard’s Star, and observed 2MASS J23062928-0502285 (now popularly known as TRAPPIST-1) extensively. Although she continues to investigate cool stars and their companions, her most recent research involves understanding how the terrestrial atmosphere affects observations and predicting natural light levels.

Dr. Bartlett’s other research interests and professional activities include measuring the positions and motions of celestial bodies (astrometry), understanding our Solar System (planetary science), astrobiology, timekeeping, and the history of astronomy. She would be delighted to meet with your class or community organization.

Dr. Bartlett is a lifetime member of the Friends of Arlington’s David M. Brown Planetarium. She began volunteering with the organization in 2010 and was elected to the Board of Directors in 2016.

Dr. Bartlett lives in Arlington with her husband and son although they like to escape to Buckingham County, where they can see the Milky Way. Her email address is Jennifer@BartlettAstro.com.