Eric Mamajek Professor (Research) of Physics and Astronomy University of Rochester Google Scholar Figshare NExSS arXiv ADS CV

Artist's conception of "J1407" (V1400 Cen) eclipsing ring system by Ron Miller Help continue monitoring the eclipsing extrasolar ring system J1407 through AAVSO!

In 2016, I moved to Jet Propulsion Laboratory to start a new position as Deputy Program Chief Scientist of the NASA Exoplanet Exploration Program (ExEP).

Research: My primary research interests are the formation and evolution of exoplanets and stars in our Galactic neighborhood, and improving our knowledge of exoplanets from improving our understanding of their host stars. I've also worked extensively on studying the evolution of protoplanetary and dusty debris disks, improving age estimates to astrophysically interesting stellar, protostellar, substellar, and exoplanetary systems. I've also collaborated on efforts to discover and characterize exoplanets discovered via direct imaging and transits.

The bRing (beta Pic Ring) has been completed, which was part of an international campaign to photometrically monitor the bright star Beta Pic in 2017-2018 to search for signs of circumplanetary material orbiting the young, giant exoplanet Beta Pic b. UR PhD student Sam Mellon led the construction of the BRING robotic observatory installed at Siding Spring, Australia. Sam Mellon defended his PhD thesis on the bRing project in November 2019.

My von Karman Lecture: "Exoplanets: The Quest for Strange New Worlds" (2017)

Press on Eclipsing Ring System J1407 (2015), Closest Known Flyby of a Star to the Solar System (Scholz's star; 2015), and discovery of Comet Cameron-ISON (2016) and an FAQ on Scholz's Star.


Stars: Stellar Color/Teff Table, Spectral Type Notes, Online Material
Sun: Notes on the Sun (currently down for time being), Notes on G2V stars, Reconstruction of the Past Sun (supplement to Tarduno+2014)
UR: Physics & Astronomy Department, UR Physics & Astronomy Major & Minor, General Advice for students, Summer Research, Graduate Program, PHY & AST courses, UR Physics & Astro Visitor's Info
Publications: ADS sorted by # of citations, ADS 1st-author only sorted by # citations, ADS sorted by date

IAU: I'm an active supporter of the International Astronomical Union (IAU), and I am the chair and organizer of the new IAU Division C Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) which researches historical and cultural proper names of stars, and maintains the IAU catalog of star names. A summary of the Working Group's activities appears PR. I'm also co-chair of the IAU100 NameExoWorlds campaign and on the Organizing Committee for IAU Commission F2 Exoplanets and the Solar SystemIAU 2015 Resolution B2 on recommended zero points for the absolute and apparent bolometric magnitude scales and IAU 2015 Resolution B3 on recommended nominal conversion constants for selected solar and planetary properties - both of which passed the XXIXth General Assembly in Honolulu by large majorities.