Research Associate

James E. (Jim) Richardson Jr. B.S. degree in Physics: Spring, 2000, from Florida State University Ph.D. in Planetary Sciences: Spring, 2005, from the University of Arizona

Research summary:

I am currently working as a Research Associate at the Center for Radiophysics and Space Research (CSRC), the research arm of Cornell University's Department of Astronomy. My primary area of interest involves using theory and computer modeling to investigate the geophysics and geomorphology of small solar system bodies -- asteroids, comets, and planetary moons -- with emphasis on impact cratering related processes. This has led to research in three areas: I use analytical and numerical modeling techniques to (1) investigate the effects of impact-induced seismic activity on the geomorphology of asteroid and other cratered surfaces; (2) investigate the evolution of cratered terrains over time, with an emphasis on regolith generation, morphological changes, and cratering statistics; and (3) investigate the cratering process and behavior of impact ejecta produced by the Deep Impact mission on 9P/Comet Tempel 1.

Research highlights:

• Solved the long-standing question of how crater density equilibrium is reached on heavily-cratered terrains (Icarus, 2009).
• Determined the density of comet 9P/Tempel 1 via the expansion rate of the ejecta plume produced by Deep Impact (Icarus, 2007).
• Linked the paucity of small craters on asteroid 433 Eros to the cumulative effects of impact-induced seismic shaking (Icarus, 2005).
• Extracted surface features of Saturn's moon Titan hidden within the Orange-fliter images taken by Voyager 1 (Icarus, 2004).

Center for Radiophysics and Space Research (CRSC): Position: Research Associate Joined: Summer, 2005 Download a Curiculum Vitae Spacecraft mission involvement: Stardust-NExT (2006-present): Science Team member Cassini-Huygens (2005-present): Imaging Team data analysis Deep Impact (2001-2007): Associate Science Team member Fellowships and awards: Meteoritical Society Pellas-Ryder Award, 2006 LPL Gerard P. Kuiper Memorial Award, 2005 Galileo Circle Scholarship, 2005-2006 UA Graduate College Fellowship, 2000-2001 Professional organization memberships: AAS Division of Planetary Sciences (DPS) American Geophysical Union (AGU) The Meteoritical Society Research project web pages: Cratered terrain evolution modeling (2007-2009) Deep Impact ejecta plume ballistics analysis (2005-2007) Impact-induced seismic shaking on asteroids (2003-2005) Deep Impact pre encounter simulations (2003-2005) 433 Eros surface gravitational properties (2004) Titan's surface and rotation from Voyager 1 (2003-2004) Preliminary impact ejecta plume simulations (2002-2003)

Cratered Terrain Evolution Model Lunar Maria simulation (40 km width) Lunar Highlands simulation (400 km width)

Reviewed Journal Articles:

J.E. Richardson (2009).
Modeling impact ejecta plume evolution via an extension of the classic ejecta scaling-laws: a comparison to laboratory studies,
Journal of Geophysical Research - Planets, [In Review].
Citations = N/A

J.E. Richardson (2009).
Cratering saturation and equilibrium: a new model looks at an old problem,
Icarus, Vol. 204, pp. 697-712. [Abstract & Figures] [Download Article]
Citations = 0 (published 12-2009)

J.E. Richardson, H.J. Melosh, C.M. Lisse, and B. Carcich (2007).
A ballistics analysis of the Deep Impact ejecta plume: determining comet Tempel 1's gravity, mass, and density,
Icarus, Vol. 190, pp. 357-390. [Abstract & Figures] [Download Article]
Citations = 19

P.C. Thomas, J.W. Armstrong, S.W. Asmar, J.A. Burns, T. Denk, B. Giese, P. Helfenstein, L. Iess, T.V. Johnson, A. McEwen, L. Nicolaisen, C. Porco, N. Rappaport, J.E. Richardson, L. Somenzi, P. Tortora, E. P. Turtle, and J. Veverka (2007).
Hyperion's sponge-like appearance,
Nature, Vol. 448, pp. 50-56. [Download Article]
Citations = 4

D.P. O'Brien, R. Greenberg, and J.E. Richardson (2006).
Craters on asteroids: reconciling diverse impact records with a common impacting population,
Icarus, Vol. 183, pp. 79-92. [Download Article]
Citations = 10

J.E. Richardson, H.J. Melosh, R. Greenberg, and D.P. O'Brien (2005).
The global effects of impact-induced seismic shaking on fractured asteroid surface morphology,
Icarus, Vol. 179, pp. 325-349. [Abstract & Figures] [Download Article]
Citations = 8

M.F. A'Hearn, M.J.S. Belton, W.A. Delamere, J. Kissel, K.P. Klaasen, L.A. McFadden, K.J. Meech, H.J. Melosh, P.H. Schultz, J.M. Sunshine, P.C. Thomas, J. Veverka, D.K. Yeomans, M.W. Baca, I. Busko, C.J. Crockett, S.M. Collins, M. Desnoyer, C.A. Eberhardy, C.M. Ernst, T.L. Farnham, L. Feaga, O. Groussin, D. Hampton, S.I. Ipatov, J.Y. Li, D. Lindler, C.M. Lisse, N. Mastrodemos, W.M. Owen, J.E. Richardson, D.D. Wellnitz, and R.L. White, (2005).
Deep Impact: excavating comet Tempel 1,
Science, Vol. 310, pp. 258-264. [Download Article] [Download Supporting Material]
Citations = 222

J.E. Richardson, H.J. Melosh, N.A. Artemeiva, and E. Pierazzo (2005).
Impact cratering theory and modeling for the Deep Impact mission: from mission planning to data analysis,
Space Science Reviews, Vol. 117, pp. 241-267. [Download Article]
Citations = 10

J.E. Richardson, H.J. Melosh, and R. Greenberg (2004).
Impact-induced seismic shaking on asteroid 433 Eros: a surface modification process,
Science, Vol. 306, pp. 1526-1529. [Download Article] [Download Supporting Material]
Citations = 21

J.E. Richardson, R.A. Lorenz, and A.S. McEwen (2004).
Titan's surface and rotation: new results from Voyager 1 images,
Icarus, Vol. 170, pp. 113-124. [Abstract & Figures] [Download Article]
Citations = 13

Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC) abstracts:

J.E. Richardson, (2009).
The seismic effect of impacts on asteroid surface morphology: three-dimensional modeling results,
40th annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC), No. 2144. [Download Abstract]

J.E. Richardson, (2008).
Modeling the evolution of cratered terrain in three dimensions: a study of crater creation and erosion on airless bodies,
39th annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC), No. 2079. [Download Abstract]

J.E. Richardson, (2007).
Improving the modeling of impact ejecta behavior: the effects of gravity and strength near the crater rim,
38th annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC), No. 1345. [Download Abstract]

J.E. Richardson and H.J. Melosh, (2006).
Modeling the ballistic behavior of solid ejecta from the Deep Impact cratering event,
37th annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC), No. 1836. [Download Abstract]

J.E. Richardson, H.J. Melosh, and R. Greenberg, (2005).
A stochastic cratering model for asteroids surfaces,
36th annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC), No. 2032. [Download Abstract]

J.E. Richardson, H.J. Melosh, and R. Greenberg, (2004).
The seismic effect of impacts on asteroid surface morphology: early modeling results,
35th annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC), No. 1864. [Download Abstract]

J.E. Richardson, H.J. Melosh, and R. Greenberg (2003).
An impact ejecta behavior model for small irregular bodies,
34th annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC), No. 1241. [Download Abstract]

Dissertation:

J.E. Richardson, (2005).
The seismic effect of impacts on asteroid surface morphology,
Ph.D. Thesis, Department of Planetary Sciences, University of Arizona. [Download Dissertation]

Amateur Work in Meteor Science:

P.S. Gural, P. Jenniskens, M. Koop, M. Jones, J. Houston-Jones, D. Holman, and J.E. Richardson (2004).
The relative activity of the 2001 Leonid storm peaks and implications for the 2002 return,
Advances in Space Research, Vol. 33-9, pp. 1501-1506.

D.D. Meisel and J.E. Richardson (1999).
Statistical properties of meteors from a simple, passive forward-scatter system,
Planetary and Space Science, Vol. 47, pp. 107-124. [Download Article]

J.E. Richardson and W. Kuneth (1998).
Revisiting the radio doppler effect from forward-scatter meteor head echoes,
WGN, the Journal of the International Meteor Organization, Vol 26:3, pp. 117-130. [Download Article]

J.E. Richardson (1998).
An audio gallery of radiometeor events (a collection of radio-detected meteor sound recordings),
From: The Poplar Springs Radiometeor Station, operated for The American Meteor Society Ltd. (AMS).

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