A. Fitzsimmons
A5012498222- Astro and Planetary Science
- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
- Astronomy and Astrophysical Research
- Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae
- Astronomical Observations and Instrumentation
- Atmospheric Ozone and Climate
- Space Exploration and Technology
- Space Satellite Systems and Control
- Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics
- Spacecraft and Cryogenic Technologies
- Nuclear Physics and Applications
- Astronomical and nuclear sciences
- Geological and Geochemical Analysis
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Adaptive optics and wavefront sensing
- Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies
- Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
- History and Developments in Astronomy
- Calibration and Measurement Techniques
- Mass Spectrometry Techniques and Applications
- Nuclear physics research studies
- Spacecraft Design and Technology
Queen's University Belfast
2015-2024
Ioffe Institute
2022
Astronomical Observatory of Capodimonte
2022
Queen's University
2009-2021
ARC Centre of Excellence for All-sky Astrophysics
2007-2014
Neogen (United States)
2011
Lancaster University
2008
University of Liège
2005-2007
Charles University
2007
Czech Academy of Sciences, Astronomical Institute
2007
Pan-STARRS1 has carried out a set of distinct synoptic imaging sky surveys including the $3π$ Steradian Survey and Medium Deep in 5 bands ($grizy_{P1}$). The mean 5$σ$ point source limiting sensitivities stacked 3$π$ $grizy_{P1}$ are (23.3, 23.2, 23.1, 22.3, 21.4) respectively. upper bound on systematic uncertainty photometric calibration across is 7-12 millimag depending bandpass. astrometric using Gaia frame comes from comparison results with Gaia: standard deviation median residuals ($...
The SuperWASP cameras are wide‐field imaging systems at the Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos on island of La Palma in Canary Islands, and Sutherland Station South African Astronomical Observatory. Each instrument has a field view some 482 deg2 with an angular scale 13 7 pixel−1, is capable delivering photometry accuracy better than 1% for objects having V∼7.0–11.5. Lower quality data brighter V∼15.0 stored project archive. systems, while designed to monitor fields high cadence,...
We have detected low-amplitude radial-velocity variations in two stars, USNO-B1.0 1219-0005465 (GSC 02265-00107 = WASP-1) and 0964-0543604 00522-01199 WASP-2). Both stars were identified as being likely host of transiting exoplanets the 2004 SuperWASP wide-field transit survey. Using newly-commissioned spectrograph SOPHIE at Observatoire de Haute-Provence, we found that both objects exhibit reflex orbital with amplitudes characteristic planetary-mass companions in-phase photometric orbits....
Abstract Hera is a planetary defense mission under development in the Space Safety and Security Program of European Agency for launch 2024 October. It will rendezvous late 2026 December with binary asteroid (65803) Didymos particular its moon, Dimorphos, which be impacted by NASA’s DART spacecraft on 2022 September 26 as first deflection test. The main goals are detailed characterization physical properties Dimorphos crater made mission, well measurement momentum transfer efficiency...
Some active asteroids have been proposed to be formed as a result of impact events1. Because are generally discovered by chance only after their tails fully formed, the process how ejecta evolve into tail has, our knowledge, not directly observed. The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission NASA2, in addition having successfully changed orbital period Dimorphos3, demonstrated activation an asteroid resulting from under precisely known conditions. Here we report observations DART with...
We report the discovery of WASP-3b, third transiting exoplanet to be discovered by WASP and SOPHIE collaboration. WASP-3b transits its host star USNO-B1.0 1256−0285133 every 1.846 834 ± 0.000 002 d. Our high-precision radial velocity measurements present a variation with amplitude characteristic planetary-mass companion in phase light curve. Adaptive optics imaging shows no evidence for nearby stellar companions, line-bisector analysis excludes faint, unresolved binarity activity as cause...
We present a fast and efficient hybrid algorithm for selecting exoplanetary candidates from wide-field transit surveys. Our method is based on the widely-used SysRem Box Least-Squares (BLS) algorithms. Patterns of systematic error that are common to all stars frame mapped eliminated using algorithm. The remaining errors caused by spatially localised flat-fielding other quantified boxcar-smoothing method. show dimensions search-parameter space can be reduced greatly carrying out an initial...
On 4 July 2005, many observatories around the world and in space observed collision of Deep Impact with comet 9P/Tempel 1 or its aftermath. This was an unprecedented coordinated observational campaign. These data show that (i) there new material after impact compositionally different from seen before impact; (ii) ratio dust mass to gas ejecta much larger than (iii) activity did not last more a few days, by 9 comet's behavior indistinguishable pre-impact behavior; (iv) were interesting...
Radar and optical observations reveal that the continuous increase in spin rate of near-Earth asteroid (54509) 2000 PH5 can be attributed to Yarkovsky-O'Keefe-Radzievskii-Paddack (YORP) effect, a torque due sunlight. The change is reasonable agreement with theoretical predictions for YORP acceleration body radar-determined size, shape, state PH5. detection spin-up supports effect as an explanation anomalous distribution rates asteroids under 10 kilometers diameter binary formation mechanism.
The Yarkovsky-O'Keefe-Radzievskii-Paddack (YORP) effect is believed to alter the spin states of small bodies in solar system. However, evidence for has so far been indirect. We report precise optical photometric observations a near-Earth asteroid, (54509) 2000 PH5, acquired over 4 years. found that asteroid continuously increasing its rotation rate ω this period by d ω/ dt = 2.0 (±0.2) × 10 –4 degrees per day squared. simulated asteroid's close Earth approaches from 2001 2005, showing...
We describe the Pan-STARRS Moving Object Processing System (MOPS), a modern software package that produces automatic asteroid discoveries and identifications from catalogs of transient detections next-generation astronomical survey telescopes. MOPS achieves > 99.5% efficiency in producing orbits synthetic but realistic population asteroids whose measurements were simulated for Pan-STARRS4-class telescope. Additionally, using non-physical grid population, we demonstrate can detect populations...
The recent discovery by Pan-STARRS1 of 1I/2017 U1 (`Oumuamua), on an unbound and hyperbolic orbit, offers a rare opportunity to explore the planetary formation processes other stars, effect interstellar environment planetesimal surface. 1I/`Oumuamua's close encounter with inner Solar System in 2017 October was unique chance make observations matching those used characterize small-body populations our own System. We present near-simultaneous g$^\prime$, r$^\prime$, J photometry colors...
We present an updated cumulative size distribution (CSD) for Jupiter Family comet (JFC) nuclei, including a rigourous assessment of the uncertainty on slope CSD. The CSD is expressed as power law, N(>r_N) \propto r_N^{-q}, where r_N radius nuclei and q slope. include large number optical observations published by ourselves others since comprehensive review in "Comets II" book (Lamy et al. 2004), make use improved fitting method. assess due to all unknowns uncertainties involved (photometric...
Context. Near-Earth asteroid (25143) Itokawa was visited by the Hayabusa spacecraft in 2005, resulting a highly detailed shape and surface topography model. This model has led to several predictions for expected radiative torques on this asteroid, suggesting that its spin rate should be decelerating.
The detection of Interstellar Objects passing through the Solar System offers promise constraining physical and chemical processes involved in planetary formation other extrasolar systems. While effect outgassing by 1I/2017 U1 ('Oumuamua) was dynamically observed, no direct ejected material made. discovery active interstellar comet 2I/Borisov means spectroscopic investigations sublimated ices is possible for this object. We report first gas emitted an via near-UV emission CN from at a...
This review addresses our current understanding of comets that venture close to the Sun, and are hence exposed much more extreme conditions than typically studied from Earth. The solar heating plasma environments these objects encounter change many aspects their behaviour, thus yielding valuable information on both themselves complements other data we have primitive system bodies, as well near-solar environment which they traverse. We propose clear definitions for comets: use term near-Sun...
Abstract We derived 90% confidence limits (CLs) on the interstellar number density ( <?CDATA ${\rho }_{\mathrm{IS}}^{\mathrm{CL}}$?> ) of objects (ISOs; comets and asteroids) as a function slope their size–frequency distribution (SFD) limiting absolute magnitude. To account for gravitational focusing, we first generated quasi-realistic ISO population to $\sim 750\,\mathrm{au}$?> from Sun propagated it forward in time generate steady state ISOs with heliocentric distance $\lt...