K. N. Singer
A5087269849- Astro and Planetary Science
- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Space Exploration and Technology
- Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Geological and Geochemical Analysis
- Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics
- Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies
- Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics
- Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies
- Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
- Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae
- earthquake and tectonic studies
- Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena
- Astronomy and Astrophysical Research
- Spacecraft and Cryogenic Technologies
- Marine and environmental studies
- Geophysics and Gravity Measurements
- Atmospheric Ozone and Climate
- Nuclear physics research studies
- Space Satellite Systems and Control
- Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils
- Maritime and Coastal Archaeology
- Geological Studies and Exploration
Southwest Research Institute
2016-2025
Scotch Whisky Research Institute
2021
University of Arizona
2020
Washington University in St. Louis
2011-2015
University of New Hampshire
2008-2009
The Plasma and Suprathermal Ion Composition (PLASTIC) investigation provides the in situ solar wind low energy heliospheric ion measurements for NASA Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory Mission, which consists of two spacecraft (STEREO-A, STEREO-B). PLASTIC-A PLASTIC-B are identical. Each PLASTIC is a time-of-flight/energy mass spectrometer designed to determine elemental composition, ionic charge states, bulk flow parameters major ions range from hydrogen iron. has nearly complete...
The New Horizons spacecraft mapped colors and infrared spectra across the encounter hemispheres of Pluto Charon. volatile ices CH$_4$, CO, N$_2$, that dominate Pluto's surface, have complicated spatial distributions resulting from sublimation, condensation, glacial flow acting over seasonal geological timescales. H$_2$O ice "bedrock" is also mapped, with isolated outcrops occurring in a variety settings. surface exhibits complex regional color diversity associated its distinct provinces....
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...
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...
Impact craters on Pluto and Charon Collisions between Solar System bodies produce impact large objects at a rate that depends the population of impacting small bodies. Singer et al. examined its moon Charon. Some regions have had their erased by recent geological processes, but others appear to record 4 billion years impacts. Because are located in Kuiper belt, distribution crater sizes reflects size belt (KBOs). The authors found fewer KBOs than predicted models collision equilibrium,...
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...
Abstract Interstellar neutral atoms, unlike charged particles, freely penetrate the heliosphere, allowing us to sample physical state of interstellar matter directly. Most hydrogen atoms are ionized before reaching inner heliosphere and become energetic protons picked up by solar wind transported away from Sun. Consequently, observations missions operating within a few astronomical units Sun subject significant systematic uncertainties. We analyze Solar Wind Around Pluto instrument on New...
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...
Abstract The NASA New Horizons Venetia Burney Student Dust Counter (SDC) measures dust particle impacts along the spacecraft’s flight path for grains with mass ≥10 −12 g, mapping out their spatial density distribution. We present latest SDC density, size distribution, and flux measurements through 55 au compare them to numerical model predictions. Kuiper Belt objects (KBOs) are thought be dominant source of interplanetary particles in outer solar system due both collisions between KBOs...
Abstract Prior to the Solar Wind Around Pluto (SWAP) observations from New Horizons, only significant interstellar pickup ion (PUI) were taken inside 5.4 au Ulysses and 1 missions. Here, we analyze SWAP data provide first comprehensive radial profile of PUIs in outer heliosphere ∼22 60 au. This study is combine low time resolution (one day) 49.5 with high (half hour) outside that. We show that these two sets can be reliably analyzed together what now a nearly continuous set PUI observations....
Enceladus' cratered terrains contain large numbers of unusually shallow craters consistent with deformation by viscous relaxation water ice under conditions elevated heat flow. Here we use high‐resolution topography to measure the fraction on Enceladus far from active South Pole. We find that many are shallower than expected, as small 2 km in diameter having fractions excess 90%. These measurements compared numerical simulations crater constrain minimum flux required reproduce these...
Abstract Impact crater populations help us to understand solar system dynamics, planetary surface histories, and modification processes. A single previous effort standardize how data are displayed in graphs, tables, archives was a 1978 NASA report by the Crater Analysis Techniques Working Group, published 1979 Icarus . The had significant lasting effect, but later decades brought major advances statistical computer sciences while field has remained fairly stagnant. In this new work, we...
We report the detection of ammonia (NH3) on Pluto's surface in spectral images obtained with New Horizons spacecraft that show absorption bands at 1.65 and 2.2 μm. The signature is spatially coincident a region past extensional tectonic activity (Virgil Fossae) where presence H2O ice prominent. Ammonia liquid water profoundly depresses freezing point mixture. Ammoniated ices are believed to be geologically short lived when irradiated ultraviolet photons or charged particles. Thus, NH3...
Abstract In this study, we extend the prior interstellar pickup ion (PUI) observations from Solar Wind Around Pluto (SWAP) instrument on New Horizons out to nearly 47 au—essentially halfway termination shock in upwind direction. We also provide significantly improved analyses of these and observations, including incorporating a cooling index, α , characterize nonadiabatic heating PUI distributions. find that vast majority (93.6%) all distributions show additional above adiabatic cooling....
Abstract Outer solar system impact bombardment is largely unconstrained. Although recent data from the Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto systems have produced new constraints, analysis incomplete without inclusion of Uranus system. We reanalyze crater populations with improvements in processing Voyager 2 imaging. No consensus on mid-sized Uranian satellites, Miranda, Ariel, Umbriel, Titania, Oberon, was resolved during era. For satellites available data, we find variability size–frequency...