Stephen Kane
Professor of Planetary Astrophysics
University of California, Riverside

Research

My research includes a diverse range of topics regarding exoplanets and planetary science. I work with various ground and space based telescopes as well as NASA & ESA planetary missions to acquire the data for my research.

My primary research focus is planetary habitability, the evolution of terrestrial planets, and the divergence of Venus and Earth. I am a science team member of DAVINCI; a NASA Discovery mission that will measure the temperature, pressure, composition, and chemistry profile of the Venusian atmosphere.

I use four different methods to search for exoplanets: microlensing, transits, imaging, and radial velocities. I led a search for exoplanet transits using WASP0 and co-led the SuperWASP consortium. I am the PI of TERMS which refines orbits and transit ephemerides. I have extensively used data from the NASA Kepler and TESS missions, and I am co-lead for the TESS-Keck Survey. I am a member of the exoplanet imaging Science Investigation Team for the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.

I work extensively on characterization topics such as orbital dynamics, reflected light from planetary atmospheres, and understanding eccentric orbits. A major focus of my work is the synergy and merging of solar system and exoplanet data. I study the extent of the Habitable Zone and track planetary orbits in the Habitable Zone Gallery. These data are incorporated into space mission designs..

My Ph.D. thesis is available for download, and a more extensive view of my work can be found in my publications via NASA ADS.