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Curriculum Vitae

A PDF version of my cv [Last updated 4-4-12].... and selected reprints are below.

Personal Information

Name:Matthew Manning Knight
Address:




 Lowell Observatory*
1400 W. Mars Hill Rd.
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
U.S.A.
Phone:(928) 774-3358
Fax:(928) 774-6296
Home page:http://www.lowell.edu/users/knight/index.html
Email:
Citizenship:USA
* Note that as of June 2011 I am primarily residing in Maryland and have offices at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory and the University of Maryland. However, my primary mailing address remains at Lowell Observatory.

Education

Graduate: Ph.D. Astronomy, University of Maryland -- 2008 [My dissertation (PDF)] [ADS]
M.S. Astronomy, University of Maryland -- 2003
Undergraduate: B.S. Physics with Distinction, University of Virginia -- 2000

Research Experience

2008-present Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Lowell Observatory, Flagstaff, AZ
2002-2008 Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Astronomy, University of Maryland
1999 REU, Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of New Mexico
1998 Undergraduate Research Assistant, Department of Physics, University of Virginia

Refereed Publications

  1. Knight, M.M., and Schleicher, D.G. 2012. The Highly Unusual Outgassing of Comet 103P/Hartley 2 from Narrowband Photometry and Imaging of the Coma. Submitted to Icarus.
  2. Lisse, C.M., Christian, D.J., Wolk, S., Bodewits, D., Dennerl, K., Combi, M., Lepri, S., Zurbuchen, T., Dello Russo, N., Knight, M.M. Chandra ACIS-S Imaging Spectroscopy of Rotationally Modulated X-ray Emission From Comet 103P/Hartley 2 During the EPOXI Encounter. Submitted to Icarus
  3. Hsieh, H.H., and 38 colleagues (including Knight, M.M.). 2011. Observational and Dynamical Characterization of Main-Belt Comet P/2010 R2 (La Sagra). The Astronomical Journal 143, 104 [ADS]
  4. Knight, M.M., Schleicher, D.G. 2011. CN Morphology Studies of Comet 103P/Hartley 2. The Astronomical Journal 141:183 (14pp). [ADS] [pre-print] [AJ Cover]
  5. Meech, K.J., and 191 colleagues (including Knight, M.M.). 2011. EPOXI: Observations from a Worldwide Earth-Based Campaign. The Astrophysical Journal Letters 734, L1. [ADS]
  6. Knight, M.M., Farnham, T.L., Schleicher, D.G., Schwieterman, E.W. 2011. The Increasing Rotation Period of Comet 10P/Tempel 2. The Astronomical Journal 141:2 (14pp) [ADS][pre-print]
  7. Knight, M.M., A'Hearn, M.F., Biesecker, D.A., Faury, G., Hamilton, D.P., Lamy, P., Llebaria, A. 2010. Photometric Study of the Kreutz Comets Observed by SOHO from 1996-2005. The Astronomical Journal 139, 926-949. [ADS][reprint]
  8. Farnham, T.L., Samarasinha, N.H., Mueller, B.E.A., Knight, M.M. 2007. Cyanogen Jets and the Rotation State of Comet Machholz (C/2004 Q2). The Astronomical Journal, 133, 2001-2007. [ADS][reprint]
  9. Knight, M.M., Walsh, K.J., A'Hearn, M.F., Swaters, R.A., Zauderer, B.A., Samarasinha, N., Vasquez, R., Reitsema, H. 2007. Ground-based Visible and Near-IR Observations of Comet 9P/Tempel 1 During the Deep Impact Encounter. Icarus 187, 199-207. [ADS][reprint] Also published in the Deep Impact at Comet Tempel 1 book (M.F. A'Hearn and M.R. Combi editors), Icarus 191, 403-411. [ADS]
  10. Meech, K. J., and 207 colleagues (including M. Knight). 2005. Deep Impact: Observations from a Worldwide Earth-Based Campaign. Science, 310, 265-269. [ADS]

Papers in Preparation

  1. Knight, M.M., Schleicher, D.G. Farnham, T.L., Schwieterman, E.W., Christensen, S. Two Decades of Observations of 10P/Tempel 2 at Lowell Observatory. AJ (in prep, for submission early 2012)
  2. Knight, M.M., Weaver, H.A., Fernandez, Y.R., Chesley, S.R., Kelley, M.S., McNaught, R., Bodewits, D., Lisse, C.M., Osip, D.J., Dello Russo, N. Battams, K. A Multiwavelength Investigation of the Remains of Sungrazing Comet Lovejoy (C/2011 W3). AJ (in prep, for submission summer 2012)

IAU Circulars & Central Bureau Electronic Telegrams

  1. Knight, M., Schleicher, D. 2010. Comet 103P/Hartley. IAU Circ. 9175. [ADS]
  2. Knight, M., Schleicher, D. 2010. Comet 103P/Hartley. IAU CBET 2512. [ADS]
  3. Knight, M., Schwieterman, E., Schleicher, D. 2010. Comet 103P/Hartley. IAU Circ. 9163. [ADS] [Also CBET 2418 -- subscription required].
  4. Knight, M.. 2010. Comet C/2010 H3 (SOHO). IAU Circ. 9138. [ADS] [Also CBET 2256]
  5. Knight, M. and Schleicher, D. 2009. Comet C/2007 N3 (Lulin). IAU Circ. 9025. [ADS]
  6. Knight, M. 2007. P/2007 R5 = 1999 R1 = 2003 R5 (SOHO). IAU Circ. 8872. [ADS]

Refereed Archived Datasets

  1. Knight, M.M. 2009. "SOHO LASCO Comet Photometry V1.0", NASA Planetary Data System, SOHO-C-LASCO-5-KREUTZPHOTOM-V1.0 [PDS holding][ADS]
  2. Knight, M.M. 2008. "SOHO LASCO COMET IMAGES V1.0", NASA Planetary Data System, SOHO-C-LASCO-4-COMETIMAGES-V1.0 [PDS holding][ADS]
  3. Knight, M.M. 2007. "Near-infrared images of comet 9P/Tempel 1 V1.0", NASA Planetary Data System, DI/EAR-C-SQIID-3-9PNIRIMAGES-V1.0 [PDS holding][ADS]

Published Abstracts and Conference Proceedings

  1. Knight, M.M., Weaver, H.A., Fernandez, Y.R., Chesley, S.R., Kelley, M.S., McNaught, R., Bodewits, D., Lisse, C.M., Osip, D.J., Dello Russo, N. Battams, K. 2012. A Multiwavelength Investigation of the Remains of Sungrazing Comet Lovejoy (C/2011 W3). AAS Meeting 220, Abstract #128.03. [Abstract]
  2. Knight, M.M., Weaver, H.A., Fernandez, Y.R., Chesley, S.R., Kelley, M.S., McNaught, R., Bodewits, D., Lisse, C.M., Osip, D.J., Dello Russo, N. Battams, K. 2012. A Multiwavelength Investigation of the Remains of Sungrazing Comet Lovejoy (C/2011 W3). ACM 2012, Abstract #6409. [PDF]
  3. Knight, M.M., Schleicher, D.G., Farnham, T.L., Schwieterman, E.W., Christensen, S.R. 2012. Production Rates, Jet Modeling, and the Continued Spin-Down of Comet 10P/Tempel 2. ACM 2012, Abstract #6410. [PDF]
  4. Fuentes, C.I., Knight, M.M., Trilling, D.E. 2012. The STEREO search for IEOs. ACM 2012, Abstract #6472. [PDF]
  5. Lisse, C.M., Christian, D.J., Wolk, S.J., Dennerl K., Bodewits D., Li, J.-Y., Combi, M.R., Lepri, S.T., Zurbuchen, T.H., Dello-Russo, N., Knight, M. M. 2012. Chandra ACIS-S X-Ray Imaging Spectroscopy of EPOXI Target Comet 103P/Hartley 2. ACM 2012, Abstract #6252. [PDF]
  6. Knight, M.M., Schleicher, D.G. 2011. Photometry and Imaging of Comet 103P/Hartley 2 from Lowell Observatory. EPSC-DPS 2011, 655. [ADS]
  7. Fuentes, C., Trilling, D., Knight, M.. 2011. The Most Dangerous IEOs in STEREO. EPSC-DPS 2011, 682. [ADS]
  8. Knight, M.M., Schleicher, D.G. 2011. CN Morphology of Comet 103P/Hartley 2. LPSC 42, 2634. [ADS]
  9. Knight, M.M., Schleicher, D.G. 2010. Dust and Gas Morphology of Comets 81P/Wild 2, 10P/Tempel 2, and 103P/Hartley 2. Bull. Am. Astr. Soc. 42, 965. [ADS]
  10. Schwieterman, E.W., Schleicher, D.G., Knight, M.M., Farnham, D.G. 2010. Analysis of 10P/Tempel 2's Morphological Features and Pole Orientation. Bull. Am. Astr. Soc. 42, 965. [ADS]
  11. Schwieterman, E.W., Farnham, T.L., Knight, M.M., Schleicher, D.G. 2010. Rotational Period Investigation of Comet P/Tempel 2 During the 1999 Apparition and Other Results. Bull. Am. Astr. Soc. 42, 454. [ADS]
  12. Knight, M.M., Schleicher, D.G. 2009. Narrowband Observations of Comet Lulin (2007 N3). Bull. Am. Astr. Soc. 41, 1036. [ADS]
  13. Schleicher, D.G., Farnham, T.L., Schwieterman, E.W., Knight, M.M. 2009. Nucleus and Coma Properties of Comet 10P/Tempel 2 During Its 1999 Apparition. Bull. Am. Astr. Soc. 41, 1028. [ADS]
  14. Knight, M.M., A'Hearn, M.F., Biesecker, D.A., Faury, G., Hamilton, D.P., Lamy, P., Llebaria, A. 2008. Photometry of the Kreutz Comets 1996-2005. Bull. Am. Astr. Soc. 40, 411. [ADS]
  15. Knight, M.M., A'Hearn, M.F., Biesecker, D.A., Faury, G., Hamilton, D.P., Lamy, P., Llebaria, A. 2008. Phase Angle Effects on Sungrazing Comets Observed by SOHO. Asteroids, Comets, and Meteors meeting, abstract #8143. [ADS]
  16. Knight, M.M., A'Hearn, M.F., Biesecker, D.A., Faury, G., Hamilton, D.P., Lamy, P., Llebaria, A. 2008. Recent Evolution of the Kracht Comets. Bull. Am. Astr. Soc. 39, 877. [Link to ADS]
  17. Knight, M.M., A'Hearn, M.F., Biesecker, D.A., Faury, G., Hamilton, D.P., Lamy, P., Llebaria, A. 2007. Recent Evolution of the Kracht Comets. Bull. Am. Astr. Soc. 39, 534. [Link to ADS]
  18. Storm, S., Samarasinha, N., Mueller, B., Farnham, T., Fernande, Y., Kidder, A., Snowden, D., A'Hearn, M., Harris, W., Knight, M., Morgenthaler, J., Lisse, C., Roesler, F. 2007. Constraining the Rotational Period for Component C of the Periodic Comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3. Bull. Am. Astr. Soc. 38, 935. [Link to ADS]
  19. Knight, M.M., A'Hearn, M.F., Biesecker, D.A., Faury, G., Hamilton, D.P., Lamy, P., Llebaria, A. 2006. Understanding the Kreutz Sungrazing Comets. Bull. Am. Astr. Soc. 38, 516. [Link to ADS]
  20. Storm, S.P., Samarasinha, N., Mueller, B., Farnham, T., Fernandez, Y., Kidder, A., Snowden, D., A'Hearn, M., Harris, W., Knight, M., Morgenthaler, J., Lisse, C., Roesler, F. 2006. Time Variability of Component C of the Fragmented Comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3. Bull. Am. Astr. Soc. 38, 504. [Link to ADS]
  21. Harris, W.M., Solontoi, M., Snowden, D., Morgenthaler, J.P., Mueller, B.E., Samarasinha, N., Mierkiewicz, E.J., Oliversen, R.J., Kokorowski, M., Kidder, A., Schnackenberg, T., Christensen, C., Farnham, T.L., Fernandez, Y.R., Lisse, C., Knight, M., A'Hearn, M.F., Roesler, F.L. 2006. Integrated Field Spectroscopy of the B and C Fragments of Comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3. Bull. Am. Astr. Soc. 38, 502. [Link to ADS]
  22. Knight, M.M., A'Hearn, M.F., Biesecker, D.A., Faury, G., Hamiltonon, D.P., Lamy, P., Llebaria, A. 2006. Understanding the Kreutz Sungrazing Comets. 36th COSPAR Scientific Assembly, p. 2697. [Link to ADS]
  23. Samarasinha, N.H., Farnham, T., Mueller, B.E.A., Knight, M.M., Belton, M.J.S., A'Hearn, M.F., Lisse, C.M. 2006. Dust Environment of the Deep Impact Mission Target Comet 9P/Tempel 1 Prior to the Impact: A Contextual Investigation. 3rd Asia Oceania Geosciences Society Meeting, abstract #59-PS-A0338. [PDF]
  24. Knight, M.M., Swaters, R.A., A'Hearn, M.F., Samarasinha, N.H. 2006. Near-IR Observations of the Deep Impact Encounter with Comet 9P/Tempel 1. Bull. Am. Astr. Soc. 37, 1156. [Link to ADS]
  25. Knight, M.M., A'Hearn, M.F., Biesecker, D.A., Faury, G., Hamilton, D.P., Lamy, P., Llebaria, A. 2005. Light Curves of Kreutz Comets, IAU Symposium 229, Asteroids, Comets, and Meteors, abstract #P5.9. [ACM website]
  26. Knight, M.M., A'Hearn, M.F., Biesecker, D.A., Faury, G., Hamilton, D.P., Lamy, P., Llebaria, A. 2005. Light Curves of Kreutz Comets. Bull. Am. Astr. Soc. 37, 632. [Link to ADS]
  27. Farnham, T.F. Mueller, B.E.A., Knight, M.M., Samarasinha, N.H. 2005. Narrowband Observations of Tempel 1 in Support of the Deep Impact Mission. Bull. Am. Astr. Soc. 37, 711. [Link to ADS]
  28. Knight, M.M., A'Hearn. 2004. Kreutz Sungrazing Comets Discovered with SOHO/LASCO. Bull. Am. Astr. Soc. 36, 1150. [Link to ADS]
  29. Knight, M.M., A'Hearn, M.F. 2002. How Well Do We Understand the Cometary Hazard? NASA Workshop on Scientific Requirement for Mitigation of Hazardous Comets and Asteroids, Edited by E. Asphaug and N. Samarasinha, p. 58. [extended abstract PDF (Warning: file is 8.7 MB!)]

Successful Funding Proposals

  1. "Quantitative Analyses of Gas and Dust Coma Morphologies in Comets". PI: D.G. Schleicher. Role: Postdoc. Commitment: 6.6 mo/yr for 3 years. Funded by Planetary Astronomy Program, 2010.
  2. "Study of Sungrazing Comets Observed by SOHO and STEREO". PI: M.M. Knight. Role: PI. Commitment: 4 mo/yr for 3 years. Funded by Planetary Mission and Data Analysis Program, 2009.
  3. "Groundbased Cometary Studies". PI: D.G. Schleicher. Role: Postdoc. Commitment: 1.4 mo/yr for 3 years. Funded by Planetary Astronomy Program, 2008.
  4. "Studies of SOHO Comets". PI: M.F. A'Hearn. Role: Graduate Student. Commitment: 12 mo/yr for 3 years. Funded by Planetary Atmospheres Program, 2005.

Observing Experience

Hubble Space Telescope 1 orbit imaging comets in optical wavelengths
Spitzer Space Telescope 4.0 hr imaging comets in thermal-IR wavelengths
Swift 2 orbits imaging comets in UV and optical wavelengths
Lowell 42in Flagstaff, AZ: 100 nights imaging comets in broadband and narrowband optical filters
Lowell 72in Flagstaff, AZ: 2 night imaging comets in broadband and narrowband optical filters
KPNO 4m Kitt Peak, AZ: 9 nights surveying for Kreutz sungrazing comets and imaging comets in optical wavelengths
KPNO 2.1m Kitt Peak, AZ: 26 nights imaging comets in optical and near-IR wavelengths
NSO Solar McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope, Kitt Peak, AZ: 9 days taking spectra of Mercury in optical wavelengths

Professional Experience

  1. Referee for The Astronomical Journal, The Astrophysical Journal, ApJ Letters, Icarus, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Planetary and Space Science, Science [8 manuscripts since 2008]
  2. Review panelist for NASA Discovery Mission, NASA Planetary Atmospheres, PDS Small Bodies Node
  3. External review for NASA Planetary Atmospheres, NASA Planetary Mission Data Analysis Program, NASA Outer Planets Research, CCI International Time Programmes, CFHT CanTAC
  4. Scientific Organizing Committee for Comet Lovejoy Workshop, Boulder, CO, March 21-22, 2012
  5. Co-organizer of 103P/Hartley 2 Rotation Workshop
  6. Session chair for AAS Division of Planetary Sciences, Lunar and Planetary Science Conference
  7. Maintenance of Named Comets website for Committee on Small Body Nomenclature, IAU Division III, 2002-2008

Leadership Activities

  1. Colloquium co-Organizer, Lowell Observatory (2010-2011)
  2. Website Working Group, Lowell Observatory (2009)
  3. Graduate student president, UMD Department of Astronomy (2000-2008)
  4. Captain, UMD Astronomy Department intramural soccer, basketball, and football teams (2001-2008)
  5. Student representative, UMD Astronomy Department Graduate Curriculum Review Committee (2003)
  6. Student representative, UMD Astronomy Department Chair Search Committee (2002)

Honors/Awards

  1. Prize Winner, Spotlight on Graduate Research Competition, University of Maryland (2007)
  2. Travel Grant, 35th SAAS-Fee Advanced Course (2005)
  3. Center for Teaching Excellence Outstanding Teaching Assistant (2001, 2002)
  4. Department of Astronomy Outstanding Teaching Assistant (2001, 2002)

Invited Talks

  1. Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, Carnegie Institute of Washington
  2. Lowell Observatory, NAU Dept of Physics/Astronomy, US Naval Observatory Joint Colloquium, Flagstaff, AZ
  3. NASA Challenger Center, Alexandria, VA

Public Talks

  1. "Death Defying Comet Lovejoy," Observatory Open House Lecture, University of Maryland, February 2012 (3 additional talks 2004-2012)
  2. "An Introduction to Sungrazing Comets," NAU Outer Solar System Lunch, Flagstaff, AZ (January 2012)
  3. "Lowell Observations of 103P/Hartley 2 and 10P/Tempel 2," Planetary Astronomy Lunchtime Seminar, University of Maryland, November 2011 (13 additional talks 2002-2011)
  4. "Chasing Comet Lulin," Lowell Observatory Advisory Board meeting, Flagstaff, AZ (June 2009)
  5. "Studies of SOHO Comets," Astronomy Unjournal Club, University of Maryland, Spring 2008 (4 additional talks 2002-2008)
  6. "Recent Evolution of the Kracht Group of Comets," Spotlight on Graduate Research, University of Maryland (December 2007)
  7. "How Well Do We Understand the Cometary Hazard?" Graduate Research Interaction Day, University of Maryland (April 2003)
  8. "Comets Observed with SOHO/LASCO," Intel/Hayden Planetarium student visit to University of Maryland (March 2003)

Teaching and Outreach

  1. Visiting teacher, Baltimore ProjectASTRO (2011-2012)
  2. Public program volunteer, Lowell Observary (2010-2011)
  3. Visiting teacher, Lowell Observatory-Navajo/Hopi outreach program (2009-2010)
  4. Mentor, Northern Arizona University REU program (2009)
  5. College Park Scholars Astronomy/Geology spring break trip (guide at Lowell) (2009, 2011)
  6. Maryland Day Volunteer, University of Maryland (2001-2007)
  7. Math/science substitute teacher, Henrico County, Virginia (2001)
  8. Graduate Assistant, University of Maryland Observatory (2000-2008)
  9. Teaching Assistant, ASTR 100 "Introduction to Astronomy", University of Maryland (Fall 2000-Spring 2002)

Advising Experience

  1. Samantha Christensen, Lowell Observatory research assistant (2011-current) Supervised image processing and analysis of comets 10P/Tempel 2 and 103P/Hartley 2
  2. Eddie Schwieterman, current University of Washington graduate student, former Florida Institute of Technology undergraduate student (summer 2009, 2010) Supervised photometric reductions, image processing, and analysis of comet 10P/Tempel 2; trained in optical ground-based observing
  3. Jason Begun, University of Maryland undergraduate student (2009-current) Supervised photometric reductions of sungrazing comets

Technical Skills

  1. Astronomical techniques: Planning and executing observations (optical/near-IR), Data reduction and analysis (optical/near-IR), Image enhancement, Data mining (SOHO, STEREO), Dynamical modeling (HNBody), Numerical modeling (DataDesk)
  2. Astronomical software: IRAF (optical/IR), DS9
  3. Programming languages: IDL, C, HTML, Awk, Unix shell scripts 4
  4. Other software: plotting (Supermongo), Spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel, OpenOffice), Word Processing (Microsoft Word, LaTeX), Operating systems (Mac OS X, Windows, Linux/Unix)

Additional Training/Workshops

  1. Cometary Radio Astronomy Workshop (2010) [webpage]
  2. 35th SAAS-Fee Advanced Course on Trans-Neptunian Objects and Comets (2005) [book]
  3. Kitt Peak Summer School, University of Maryland (2004)
  4. BIMA Summer School (2001)

Memberships

  1. American Astronomical Society
  2. Division of Planetary Sciences of American Astronomical Society
  3. Historical Astronomy Division of American Astronomical Society

Popular Articles

  1. Knight, M. 2011. "The Survival of Comet Lovejoy (C/2011 W3), A Once in a Generation Event," Lowell Observatory Blog [Link]
  2. Knight, M. 2009. "Comet Lulin Zooming By Us," Lowell Observer, December 2009. [PDF]
  3. Knight, M. 2009. Baseball Prospectus Idol competition. [Author Index],[#6],[#5],[#4],[#3],[#2],[#1]
  4. Knight, M.M. 2006. "Sungrazing Comets", Zenit (The Netherlands), February 2006 issue, 56-61.

News Stories in which My Work Was Mentioned

  1. "Solar Swan Song: NASA Satellite Witnesses a Comet's Plunge into the Sun", Scientific American, January 2012 [Link].
  2. "Some Comets Like It Hot," NASA Science News, January 2012 [Link] and [video version].
  3. "Comet Lovejoy Plunges into the Sun and Survives", NASA Science News, December 2011 [Link].
  4. "Hyperactive Hartley 2 Has a Split History", EPSC-DPS press release, October 2011, [press release] Also picked up by a number of other websites.
  5. "Arvoituksellinen pikkukomeettojen myrsky alkoi Jättiläinen tulossa?" [in Finnish], Tahdet ja avaruus (Stars and Space), Spring 2011 [magazine homepage]
  6. "Sundiving Comet Storm", NASA Science News, January 2011 [Link]. Also picked up in various forms by other websites including National Geographic and Space.com
  7. "Comet Lulin (2007 N3): a Detailed Look at a Corkscrew Morphology & the Fascinating 3-D Problem of Lulin's Rotation by Lowell Observatory", Lowell Observatory Blog, October 2009 [Link]
  8. "Seeing Lulin, Once in a Million Years", Discovery Channel website, October 2009 [Link]
  9. "Comet 10P/Tempel 2's Nucleus Rotation Determined to Within 10 Seconds", Lowell Observatory Blog, October 2009 [Link]
  10. "NASA probes comet for deeper understanding", Arizona Daily Wildcat, July 2005 [Link]
  11. "More than 40 Nights of Kitt Peak Observations of NASA's Deep Impact Comet to Culminate on July 3", SpaceRef website, June 2005 [Link]

Last updated Apr-4-2012