Simon B. Porter
A5029509421- Astro and Planetary Science
- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
- Space Exploration and Technology
- Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae
- Astronomy and Astrophysical Research
- Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies
- Space Satellite Systems and Control
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Astronomical Observations and Instrumentation
- Geological and Geochemical Analysis
- Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies
- Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics
- Atmospheric Ozone and Climate
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Spacecraft Design and Technology
- Nuclear Physics and Applications
- Geophysics and Gravity Measurements
- Nuclear physics research studies
- Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena
- Space exploration and regulation
- Spacecraft and Cryogenic Technologies
- Historical Astronomy and Related Studies
- SAS software applications and methods
- Laser-induced spectroscopy and plasma
Southwest Research Institute
2016-2025
Lowell Observatory
2011-2014
Arizona State University
2009-2012
University of Alabama in Huntsville
2006
New Horizons unveils the Pluto system In July 2015, spacecraft flew through at high speed, humanity's first close look this enigmatic on outskirts of our solar system. a series papers, team present their analysis encounter data downloaded so far: Moore et al. complex surface features and geology its large moon Charon, including evidence tectonics, glacial flow, possible cryovolcanoes. Grundy analyzed colors chemical compositions surfaces, with ices H 2 O, CH 4 , CO, N NH 3 reddish material...
The New Horizons mission has provided resolved measurements of Pluto's moons Styx, Nix, Kerberos, and Hydra. All four are small, with equivalent spherical diameters $\approx$40 km for Nix Hydra ~10 Styx Kerberos. They also highly elongated, maximum to minimum axis ratios $\approx$2. have high albedos ( $\approx$50-90 %) suggestive a water-ice surface composition. Crater densities on imply ages $\gtrsim$ 4 Ga. small rotate much faster than synchronous, rotational poles clustered nearly...
We used existing data from the New Horizons LORRI camera to measure optical-band ($0.4\lesssimλ\lesssim0.9{\rmμm}$) sky brightness within seven high galactic latitude fields. The average raw level measured while was 42 45 AU Sun is $33.2\pm0.5{\rm ~nW ~m^{-2} ~sr^{-1}}.$ This $\sim10\times$ darker than darkest accessible {\it Hubble Space Telescope}, highlighting utility of for detecting cosmic optical background (COB). Isolating COB contribution total requires subtracting scattered light...
Abstract We used New Horizons LORRI images to measure the optical-band (0.4 ≲ λ 0.9 μ m) sky brightness within a high-galactic-latitude field selected have reduced diffuse scattered light from Milky Way galaxy (DGL), as inferred IRIS all-sky 100 m map. also significantly reduce bright stars (SSL) outside field. Suppression of DGL and SSL large uncertainties in background flux levels present our earlier cosmic optical (COB) results. The raw total level, measured when was 51.3 au Sun, is 24.22...
The process by which a system of non-luminous bodies form around star is fundamental to understanding the origins our own solar and how it fits into context other systems we have begun study stars. Some basics formation emerged describe dust gas newly formed evolve what see today. combination occultation observations flyby New Horizons Cold-Classical Kuiper Belt Object (CCKBO), (498958) Arrokoth, has provided essential new constraints on models through its three-dimensional shape. We present...
The New Horizons spacecraft's encounter with the cold classical Kuiper Belt object (486958) Arrokoth (provisional designation 2014 MU69) revealed a contact-binary planetesimal. We investigated how formed and found that it is product of gentle, low-speed merger in early Solar System. Its two lenticular lobes suggest low-velocity accumulation numerous smaller planetesimals within gravitationally collapsing cloud solid particles. geometric alignment indicates they were co-orbiting binary...
Abstract NASA's New Horizons mission performed the first flyby of a small Kuiper Belt Object (KBO), (486958) Arrokoth on 1 January 2019. The fast revealed fascinating, flattened, contact binary replete with variety unexpected geologic terrains. However, irregular shape and constraints imposed by makes it challenge to understand these features. Here we use latest models investigate its geophysical environment, including surface slopes, gravity field, moments inertia—which are critical context...
Abstract We obtained New Horizons LORRI images to measure the cosmic optical background (COB) intensity integrated over 0.4 μ m ≲ λ 0.9 m. The survey comprises 16 high-Galactic-latitude fields selected minimize scattered diffuse Galactic light (DGL) from Milky Way, as well bright stars. This work supersedes an earlier analysis based on observations of one present fields. Isolating COB contribution raw total sky levels measured in requires subtracting remaining stars and galaxies, faint...
Abstract We report the detection of 239 trans-Neptunian objects discovered through ongoing New Horizons survey for distant minor bodies being performed with Hyper Suprime-Cam mosaic imager on Subaru Telescope. These were in images acquired either r 2 or recently commissioned EB- gri filter using shift and stack routines. Due to extremely high stellar density search region downstream spacecraft, new machine learning techniques had be developed manage false-positive rate bogus candidates...
NASA's New Horizons spacecraft will conduct a close flyby of the cold classical Kuiper Belt Object (KBO) designated (486958) 2014 MU69 on January 1, 2019. At heliocentric distance 44 AU, "MU69" be most distant object ever visited by spacecraft. To enable this flyby, we have developed an extremely high precision orbit fitting and uncertainty processing pipeline, making maximal use Hubble Space Telescope's Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) pre-release versions ESA Gaia Data Release 2 (DR2) catalog....
The Cold Classical Kuiper Belt, a class of small bodies in undisturbed orbits beyond Neptune, are primitive objects preserving information about Solar System formation. New Horizons spacecraft flew past one these objects, the 36 km long contact binary (486958) Arrokoth (2014 MU69), January 2019. Images from flyby show that has no detectable rings, and satellites (larger than 180 meters diameter) within radius 8000 km, lightly-cratered smooth surface with complex geological features, unlike...
The outer Solar System object (486958) Arrokoth (provisional designation 2014 MU$_{69}$) has been largely undisturbed since its formation. We study surface composition using data collected by the New Horizons spacecraft. Methanol ice is present along with organic material, which may have formed through radiation of simple molecules. Water was not detected. This indicates hydrogenation carbon monoxide-rich and/ or energetic processing methane condensed on water grains in cold, edge early...
Abstract Observing dwarf planets and other large Kuiper Belt objects (KBOs) from vantage points between 8 47 au the Sun, NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft has found diversity in shapes of their solar phase curves. Here we extend angle coverage (136199) Eris, (136472) Makemake, (136108) Haumea; KBOs (28978) Ixion, (50000) Quaoar, (307261) 2002 MS 4 , (556416) 2014 OE 394 ; Neptune’s satellite Triton to angles as high α = 94° using data fit resulting curves Hapke photometric model. When...
The very wide binary asteroid (VWBA) population is a small subset of the known and multiple asteroids made systems with widely orbiting satellites long orbital periods, on order tens to hundreds days. origin these debatable, most members this are poorly characterized. We aim develop solutions for some VWBA population, allowing us constrain possible formation pathways unusual population. compiled all available high-angular-resolution imaging archival data from large ground- space-based...
The satellites of extrasolar planets (exomoons) have been recently proposed as astrobiological targets. Since giant in the habitable zone are thought to migrated there, it is possible that they may captured a former terrestrial planet or planetesimal. We therefore attempt model dynamical evolution into orbit around star. find approximately half loose elliptical orbits result stable circular over timescales less than few million years. also those mostly at low inclination, but no...
Abstract A multiwavelength regionally dependent photometric analysis of Pluto’s anti-Charon-facing hemisphere using images collected by New Horizons ’ Multispectral Visible Imaging Camera (MVIC) reveals large variations in the absolute value and spectral slope single-scattering albedo. Four regions interest are analyzed: dark equatorial belt, north pole, nitrogen-rich regions, mid-latitude terrains. Regions dominated volatile ices such as Lowell Regio Sputnik Planitia present albedos ∼0.98...