Assistant Research Professor

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 interests:

My current research interests include the geology, geophysics, and geomorphology of the terrestrial planets and small solar system bodies (asteroids, comets, and planetary satellite), specializing in impact cratering related processes. This interest has led to multiple lines of scientific investigation, using spacecraft observations combined with analytical and numerical modeling techniques to answer outstanding questions regarding the surface processes, internal structure, and developmental history of these objects.

Past 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).

Currently funded research topics: The nature of impact-produced seismic signals on Mars The production and distribution of secondary craters from large impacts The magnitude of the Late Heavy Bombardment in the inner solar system Near-Earth asteroid surfaces and structures from radar-derived data Spacecraft mission involvement: GRAIL (2010-present): gravity data analysis and modeling Stardust-NExT (2006-2011): Science Team member Cassini-Huygens (2005-2010): Imaging Team data analysis Deep Impact (2001-2007): Associate Science Team member Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences: Position: Assistant Research Professor Joined: Fall, 2010 Download a Curiculum Vitae 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

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

Education and Public Outreach site: Explorations in Impact Cratering

Reviewed Journal Articles and Recent LPSC Abstracts:

J.E. Richardson and H.J. Melosh (2011).
An examination of the Deep Impact collision site on comet Tempel 1 via Stardust--NExT: further constraints on cometary surface properties,
Icarus, [Submitted]

J.E. Richardson and T.J. Bowling (2011).
The combined effect of gravity and rotation on small--body surface terrains: gleaning body density from spin, shape, and slopes,
Icarus, [Submitted]

J.E. Richardson (2011).
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 Press]. [Download Accepted Manuscript]

M.F. A'Hearn, M.J.S. Belton, W.A. Delamere, L.M. Feaga, D. Hampton, 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.D. Wellnitz, D.K. Yeomans, S. Besse, D. Bodewits, T.J. Bowling, B.T. Carcich, S.M. Collins, T.L. Farnham, O. Groussin, B. Hermalyn, M.S. Kelly, M.S. Kelly, J.Y. Li, D.J. Lindler, C.M. Lisse, S.A. McLaughlin, F. Merlin, S. Protopapa, J.E. Richardson, J.L. Williams, (2011).
EPOXI at comet Hartley 2,
Science, Vol. 332, pp. 1396. [Download Article] [Download Supporting Material]
Citations = 1

J.E. Richardson, (2011).
Regolith generation, retention, and movement on asteroid surfaces: early modeling results,
42th annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC), No. 1084. [Download Abstract]

J.E. Richardson and P.C. Thomas, (2010).
Uncovering the saturnian impactor population via small satellite cratering records,
41th annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC), No. 1523. [Download Abstract]

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 = 3

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, 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 = 27

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 = 8

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 = 16

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 = 18

• 2006 Meteoritical Society Pellas-Ryder award winner for best graduate-student paper

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 = 253

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 = 12

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 = 26
Associated news articles:

• University of Arizona press release
• Pluto Today article
• Science Daily article
• Space.Com article

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 = 15

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.
Citations = 2

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] [Supplemental Audio Clips]

• Undergraduate research done for The American Meteor Society

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