A5034949137- Astro and Planetary Science
- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
- Thermal and Kinetic Analysis
- Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies
- Astronomy and Astrophysical Research
- Chemical Thermodynamics and Molecular Structure
- Energetic Materials and Combustion
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies
- Atmospheric Ozone and Climate
- Spacecraft and Cryogenic Technologies
- Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae
- Space Exploration and Technology
- Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics
- Astronomical Observations and Instrumentation
- Crystallization and Solubility Studies
- Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics
- Space Satellite Systems and Control
- Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Geological and Geochemical Analysis
- Rocket and propulsion systems research
- Combustion and Detonation Processes
- thermodynamics and calorimetric analyses
California Institute of Technology
2015-2024
Mississippi State University
2002-2024
Leeds College of Building
2023
United States Naval Academy
2020
Planetary Science Institute
1995-2017
Rhodes University
2001-2011
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
1998-2010
Bridge University
2008
University of Cambridge
2008
Florida Institute of Technology
2006
(Abridged) We describe here the most ambitious survey currently planned in optical, Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST). A vast array of science will be enabled by a single wide-deep-fast sky survey, and LSST have unique capability faint time domain. The design is driven four main themes: probing dark energy matter, taking an inventory Solar System, exploring transient optical sky, mapping Milky Way. wide-field ground-based system sited at Cerro Pach\'{o}n northern Chile. telescope 8.4 m...
A survey that can cover the sky in optical bands over wide fields to faint magnitudes with a fast cadence will enable many of exciting science opportunities next decade. The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) have an effective aperture 6.7 meters and imaging camera field view 9.6 deg^2, be devoted ten-year 20,000 deg^2 south +15 deg. Each pointing imaged 2000 times fifteen second exposures six broad from 0.35 1.1 microns, total point-source depth r~27.5. LSST Science Book describes basic...
Recent analyses have shown that distant orbits within the scattered disk population of Kuiper belt exhibit an unexpected clustering in their respective arguments perihelion. While several hypotheses been put forward to explain this alignment, date, a theoretical model can successfully account for observations remains elusive. In work we show objects cluster not only argument perihelion, but also physical space. We demonstrate perihelion positions and orbital planes are tightly confined such...
We present the discovery of two T dwarf binaries, 2MASS 1225-2739AB and 1534-2952AB, identified in a sample 10 dwarfs imaged with Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Wide Field Planetary Camera 2. Companionship is established by uniquely red F814W-F1042M colors binary components, caused heavily pressure-broadened K I absorption centered at 7665 7699 Å. The separations systems are 0282 ± 0005 0065 0007, implying projected 3.17 0.14 1.0 0.3 AU, respectively. These close similar to those found...
The potential habitability of Europa's subsurface ocean depends on its chemical composition, which may be reflected in that geologically young surface. Investigations using Galileo Near-Infrared Mapping Spectrometer data led to the prevailing view endogenous units are rich sulfate salts. However, recent ground-based infrared observations have suggested that, while regions experiencing sulfur radiolysis contain salts, more pristine material reflect a chloride-dominated composition. Chlorides...
[Condensed] We search 0.02 deg^2 for trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) with m<=29.2 (diameter ~15 km) using the ACS on HST. Three new are discovered, roughly 25 times fewer than expected from extrapolation of differential sky density Sigma(m) brighter objects. The and other recent TNO surveys show departures a power law size distribution. Division sample into ``classical Kuiper belt'' (CKB) ``Excited'' samples reveals that differs two populations at 96% confidence. A double adequately fits...
We develop a general method for determining the unbiased inclination distribution of Kuiper belt using only and latitude discovery known objects (KBOs). These two parameters are well determined each discovered object, so we can use all 379 KBOs (as 2001 January 1)—without knowing object's precise orbit, area, detection efficiency, or latitudinal coverage survey that found object—to determine distribution. find natural analytic form is sine multiplied by Gaussian. The fitted sin i sum...
We present near-infrared spectra for a sample of T dwarfs, including 11 new discoveries made using the 2 Micron All Sky Survey. These objects are distinguished from warmer (L-type) brown dwarfs by presence methane absorption bands in 1-2.5 μm spectral region. A first attempt at classification scheme is made, based on strengths CH4 and H2O shapes 1.25, 1.6, 2.1 flux peaks. Subtypes T1 V-T8 V defined, indices useful presented. The subclasses appear to follow decreasing Teff scale, evolution...
Introduction 1. Brief history of solar terrestrial physics 2. Physics space plasmas 3. The Sun 4. wind 5. Collisionless shocks 6. Interactions with magnetized planets 7. Ionospheres 8. unmagnetized bodies 9. Magnetopause, tail and reconnection 10. Magnetospheric configuration 11. Magnetic pulsations 12. Plasma waves 13. dynamics 14. aurora the auroral ionosphere 15. Magnetospheres outer Appendices Index.
We report the discovery of a widely separated (258&farcs;3+/-0&farcs;4) T dwarf companion to Gl 570ABC system. This new component, 570D, was initially identified from Two Micron All-Sky Survey. Its near-infrared spectrum shows 1.6 and 2.2 µm CH4 absorption bands characteristic dwarfs, while its common proper motion with system confirms companionship. 570D (MJ=16.47+/-0.07) is nearly full magnitude dimmer than only other known companion, 229B, estimates L=&parl0;2.8+/-0.3&parr0;x10-6 L middle...
We present the results of a Hubble Space Telescope NICMOS imaging survey 22 T-type field brown dwarfs. Five are resolved as binary systems with angular separations 005-035, and companionship is established on basis component F110W - F170M colors (indicative CH4 absorption) low probabilities background contamination. Prior ground-based observations show 2MASS 1553+1532AB to be common proper-motion binary. The properties these systems—low multiplicity fraction (12% resolved, corrected for...
Observations have resolved the satellite Charon from its parent planet Pluto, giving separate spectra of two objects 1.0 to 2.5 micrometers. The spectrum is found be different that with water ice in crystalline form covering most surface satellite. In addition, an absorption feature Charon's suggests presence ammonia ices. Ammonia ice–water mixtures been proposed as cause flowlike features observed on surfaces many icy satellites. existence such ices may indicate geological activity satellite's past.
We report the discovery of minor planet (90377) Sedna, most distant object ever seen in solar system. Prediscovery images from 2001, 2002, and 2003 have allowed us to refine orbit sufficiently conclude that Sedna is on a highly eccentric permanently resides well beyond Kuiper Belt with semimajor axis 480 ± 40 AU perihelion 76 4 AU. Such an unexpected our current understanding system but could be result scattering by yet-to-be-discovered planet, perturbation anomalously close stellar...
The surface of Europa could contain the compositional imprint an underlying interior ocean, but competing hypotheses differ over whether spectral observations from Galileo spacecraft show signature ocean evaporates or simply radiation products unrelated to interior. Using adaptive optics at W. M. Keck Observatory, we have obtained spatially resolved spectra most disk a resolution ∼40 times higher than seen by spacecraft. These previously undetected distinct magnesium sulfate salts on Europa,...
Recent discoveries have shown that the very largest Kuiper Belt objects—Eris, 2005 FY9, and Sedna—are coated in methane may contain other volatile ices as well. New detailed observations show even within this class of volatile-rich bodies, unexpected differences exist their surface compositions. a body approximately 60% size Pluto, with reflectance spectrum similarly dominated by methane, has depleted molecular nitrogen at least an order magnitude respect to Pluto. We find existence new...
Here we measure the absolute magnitude distributions (H-distribution) of dynamically excited and quiescent (hot cold) Kuiper Belt objects (KBOs), test if they share same H-distribution as Jupiter Trojans. From a compilation all useable ecliptic surveys, find that KBO H-distributions are well described by broken power laws. The cold population has bright-end slope, , break magnitude, (r'-band). hot shallower slope of, . Both populations similar faint-end slopes α2 ∼ 0.2. We estimate masses...
Using precise relative astrometry from the Hubble Space Telescope and W. M. Keck Telescope, we have determined orbits masses of two dynamically interacting satellites dwarf planet (136108) Haumea, formerly 2003 EL61. The orbital parameters Hi'iaka, outer, brighter satellite, match well previously derived orbit. On timescales longer than a few weeks, no Keplerian orbit is sufficient to describe motion inner, fainter satellite Namaka. fully three-point-mass model, recovered both mass Haumea...
Objects in the Kuiper belt are difficult to study detail, even with best telescopes available. Therefore, for many years, studies of compositions these objects were relegated collections moderate-quality spectroscopic and photometric data that remained interpret. Much early effort was put into simple correlations surface colors identifications spectral features, but connecting observations a larger understanding region elusive. The past decade, however, has seen blossoming our understanding,...