Office: CAS 604
Phone: +1 617 353 1531
Fax: +1 617 353 6463
Email: withers@bu.edu
Research Interests:
My main area of research is the upper atmosphere and ionosphere of planets.
I analyze data and develop theoretical models to discover how solar flux,
a neutral atmosphere, magnetic fields, and an ionosphere interact under
the unique conditions of each planet. I am also actively involved in
suppporting the operations of accelerometer and radio science instruments.
I have a range of potential projects available in these areas
for interested undergraduate and graduate students.
I defended my PhD dissertation in March 2003. The dissertation is available online, as are a full CV and a 3 page CV.
Resources:
Link to publicly-available Mars Express SPICAM data.
Publicly-available software for
analyzing accelerometer data from the atmospheric entries of spacecraft.
Atmospheric profiles (density, pressure, temperature)
derived from accelerometer measurements during the
atmospheric entries of Spirit and Opportunity.
Results and software from Withers and Smith (2006).
Data products and documentation as delivered to the PDS (January 2008).
Rapid data
products from the ODY ACC experiment generated in support of MRO
aerobraking (January 2006).
Preliminary data
products from the ODY ACC experiment (December 2007).
Updated data
products from the ODY ACC experiment.
As delivered to the PDS (December 2008).
List of summer research
opportunities for undergraduates.
Students Mentored:
Katy Fallows,
Boston University Astronomy PhD student (2011 - present).
Zachary Girazian,
Boston University Astronomy PhD student (2010 - present).
Investigating unusual features in the ionosphere of Mars
Majd Matta,
Boston University Astronomy PhD student (2007 - present).
Modelling the effects of magnetic fields on the martian ionosphere -
Jointly supervised with Professor Michael Mendillo
Gabriel Gonzalez,
Boston University Astronomy undergraduate research
assistant (2012 - present).
Andrew Tarrh,
Boston University Astronomy undergraduate research
assistant (2012 - present).
Analysis of Venus Express ionospheric observations
Sarah Weiner,
Boston University Astronomy undergraduate research
assistant (2012 - present).
Analysis of Mariner 9 ionospheric observations
Nicholas Ferreri,
Boston University Astronomy undergraduate research
assistant (2011 - 2012).
Recovery of Mariner 9 ionospheric observations
Dane Sarcone,
Boston University ECE undergraduate
research assistant (2009).
The effects of extreme solar flares on technological systems at Mars
Jeffrey Russo,
Boston University Astronomy undergraduate
research assistant (2008 - present).
Comparison of SPICAM and aerobraking accelerometer measurements of the martian
upper atmosphere
Robert Pratt,
Boston University Astronomy undergraduate
research assistant (2008 - 2011).
The effects of thermal tides on SPICAM measurements of the
martian atmosphere
Anthony Lollo,
Boston University Astronomy undergraduate
research assistant (2008 - 2010).
Numerical simulations of the martian ionosphere -
Jointly supervised with Professor Michael Mendillo
Bob Lombardi,
Boston University Astronomy undergraduate
research assistant (2006 - 2007).
Comparative modelling of planetary ionospheres -
Jointly supervised with Professor Michael Mendillo
Robert Pratt,
Boston University Astronomy undergraduate
research assistant (2011 - 2012).
Anthony Lollo,
Boston University Center for Space Physics
staff researcher (2010 - 2011).
Numerical simulations of the martian ionosphere and
empirical characterization of the aerobraking environment at Mars
Teaching Experience:
AS101 - Introduction to the Solar System - Boston University
Fall 2010, 43 students, teaching materials,
student evaluations
Summer 2006, 19 students, teaching materials,
student evaluations
AS202 - Principles of Astronomy I - Boston University
Fall 2011, 21 students, teaching materials,
student evaluations
AS781 - Planetary Atmospheres - Boston University
Fall 2012, 21 students, teaching materials,
student evaluations not yet available
AS802 - Graduate research and scholarship - Boston University
Spring 2011, 14 students, teaching materials,
student evaluations
AS803 - Research methods in astronomical data analysis - Boston University
Spring 2011, 15 students, teaching materials,
student evaluations
Recent Papers:
Withers, Fillingim, Lillis, Haeusler, Hinson, Tyler, Paetzold,
Peter, Tellmann, and Witasse
(2012)
Observations of the nightside ionosphere of Mars by
the Mars Express Radio Science Experiment MaRS,
Journal of Geophysical Research, 117, A12307,
doi:10.1029/2012JA018185
531K
PDF
Withers, Fallows, Girazian, Matta, Haeusler, Hinson, Tyler, Morgan,
Paetzold, Peter, Tellmann, Peralta, and Witasse
(2012)
A clear view of the multifaceted dayside ionosphere of Mars,
Geophysical Research Letters, 39, L18202,
doi:10.1029/2012GL053193
284K
PDF
Withers
(2012)
Empirical predictions of martian surface pressure in support of the landing
of Mars Science Laboratory,
Space Science Reviews, 170, 837-860
1.1M
PDF
Vasavada, Chen, Barnes, Burkhart, Cantor, Dwyer-Cianciolo,
Fergason, Hinson, Justh, Kass, Lewis, Mischna, Murphy, Rafkin,
Tyler, and Withers
(2012)
Assessment of environments for Mars Science Laboratory
entry, descent, and surface operations,
Space Science Reviews, 170, 793-835
8.8M
PDF
Lollo, Withers, Fallows, Girazian, Matta, and Chamberlin
(2012)
Numerical simulations of
the ionosphere of Mars during a solar flare,
Journal of Geophysical Research, 117, A05314,
doi:10.1029/2011JA017399
845K
PDF
Sheel, Haider, Withers, Kozarev, Jun, Kang, Gronoff, and Simon Wedlund
(2012)
Numerical simulation of the effects of a solar energetic
particle event on the ionosphere of Mars,
Journal of Geophysical Research, 117, A05312,
doi:10.1029/2011JA017455
854K
PDF
Withers
(2012)
How do meteoroids affect Venus's and Mars's ionospheres?,
Eos, 93(35), 337-338, doi: 10.1029/2012EO350002
718K
PDF
Mendillo, Lollo, Withers, Matta, Paetzold, and Tellmann
(2011)
Modeling Mars' ionosphere with constraints from same-day
observations by Mars Global Surveyor and Mars Express,
Journal of Geophysical Research, 116, A11303,
doi:10.1029/2011JA016865
2.5M
PDF
Xiong, Wan, Liu, Withers, Zhao, Ning, Wei, Le, Ren, Chen, He, and Liu
(2011)
Ionospheric response to the X-class solar flare on 7 September 2005,
Journal of Geophysical Research, 116, A11317,
doi:10.1029/2011JA016961
1.7M
PDF
Withers, Pratt, Bertaux, and Montmessin
(2011)
Observations of thermal tides in the middle
atmosphere of Mars by the SPICAM instrument,
Journal of Geophysical Research, 116, E11005,
doi:10.1029/2011JE003847
1.9M
PDF
Withers
(2011)
Attenuation of radio signals by the ionosphere of Mars: Theoretical
development and application to MARSIS observations,
Radio Science, 46, RS2004, doi:10:1029/2010RS004450
725K
PDF
Have a look at some more of my papers, projects, presentations,
proposals, and piffle.