Katherine R. de Kleer
Assistant Professor of Planetary Science and Astronomy; Hufstedler Family Scholar
B.Sc., Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Mathematics & Physics), 2009; M.A., University of California, Berkeley, 2013; Ph.D., 2017. Caltech, 2019-; Hufstedler Family Scholar, 2022-.
Research Options
Planetary Science;
Research Areas
Planetary Astronomy;
Planetary Atmospheres;
Planetary Geosciences;
Planetary Surfaces;
Profile
Katherine de Kleer is interested in dynamic planetary processes and how they relate to the surface environments, atmospheres, and thermochemical histories of planets and satellites. Her research focuses on characterizing these processes through the application of statistical methods to telescope observations at optical through radio wavelengths. Her work to date has focused on topics including the atmospheric composition and global circulation of Uranus, Neptune, and Jupiter; the volcanism, atmosphere, and tidal heating of Io; and the sub-surface material properties of Europa, Callisto, and Ganymede. To learn more, visit her research webpage at http://web.gps.caltech.edu/~dekleer/
Publications
- Wu, Peiyu;Trumbo, Samantha K. et al. (2024) Europa's H₂O₂: Temperature Insensitivity and a Correlation with CO₂Planetary Science Journal
- Harkett, Jake;Fletcher, Leigh N. et al. (2024) The Thermal Structure and Composition of Jupiter's Great Red Spot From JWST/MIRIJournal of Geophysical Research: Planets
- Melin, Henrik;O'Donoghue, J. et al. (2024) Ionospheric irregularities at Jupiter observed by JWSTNature Astronomy
- Conrad, Al;Pedichini, Fernando et al. (2024) Observation of Io's Resurfacing via Plume Deposition Using Ground‐Based Adaptive Optics at Visible Wavelengths With LBT SHARK‐VISGeophysical Research Letters
- Gomez Barrientos, Jonathan;de Kleer, Katherine et al. (2024) Detection of a 2.85 μm Feature on Five Spinel-rich Asteroids from JWSTAstrophysical Journal Letters
- de Kleer, Katherine;Hughes, Ery C. et al. (2024) Isotopic evidence of long-lived volcanism on IoScience
- Thelen, Alexander E.;Nixon, Conor A. et al. (2024) Observations of Titan's Stratosphere during Northern Summer: Temperatures, CH₃CN and CH₃D AbundancesPlanetary Science Journal
- Hughes, Ery C.;de Kleer, Katherine et al. (2024) Using Io's Sulfur Isotope Cycle to Understand the History of Tidal HeatingJournal of Geophysical Research: Planets
- Thelen, Alexander E.;de Kleer, Katherine et al. (2024) Subsurface Thermophysical Properties of Europa's Leading and Trailing Hemispheres as Revealed by ALMAPlanetary Science Journal
- Chavez, Erandi;Redwing, Erin et al. (2023) Drift rates of major Neptunian features between 2018 and 2021Icarus
- Trumbo, Samantha K.;Brown, Michael E. et al. (2023) Hydrogen peroxide at the poles of GanymedeScience Advances
- de Kleer, Katherine;Milby, Zachariah et al. (2023) The Optical Aurorae of Europa, Ganymede, and CallistoPlanetary Science Journal
- Schmidt, Carl;Sharov, Mikhail et al. (2023) Io's Optical Aurorae in Jupiter's ShadowPlanetary Science Journal
- Keane, James Tuttle;de Kleer, Katherine R. et al. (2022) Perspective: The Future Exploration of IoElements
- Redwing, Erin;de Pater, Imke et al. (2022) NaCl and KCl in Io's AtmospherePlanetary Science Journal
- Cambioni, Saverio;de Kleer, Katherine et al. (2022) The Heterogeneous Surface of Asteroid (16) PsycheJournal of Geophysical Research. Planets
- de Kleer, Katherine;Skrutskie, Michael et al. (2021) Resolving Io's Volcanoes from a Mutual Event Observation at the Large Binocular TelescopePlanetary Science Journal
- Shepard, Michael K.;de Kleer, Katherine et al. (2021) Asteroid 16 Psyche: Shape, Features, and Global MapPlanetary Science Journal
- de Kleer, Katherine;Cambioni, Saverio et al. (2021) The Surface of (16) Psyche from Thermal Emission and Polarization MappingPlanetary Science Journal
- Villanueva, G. L.;Cordiner, M. et al. (2021) No evidence of phosphine in the atmosphere of Venus from independent analysesNature Astronomy
- de Pater, Imke;Keane, James T. et al. (2021) A 2020 Observational Perspective of IoAnnual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences
- de Kleer, Katherine;Butler, Bryan et al. (2021) Ganymede's Surface Properties from Millimeter and Infrared Thermal EmissionPlanetary Science Journal
- Roth, Lorenz;Boissier, Jérémie et al. (2020) An attempt to detect transient changes in Io's SO₂ and NaCl atmosphereIcarus
- de Pater, Imke;Luszcz-Cook, Statia et al. (2020) ALMA Observations of Io Going into and Coming out of Eclipse
- de Pater, Imke;de Kleer, Katherine et al. (2020) High Spatial and Spectral Resolution Observations of the Forbidden 1.707 μm Rovibronic SO Emissions on Io: Evidence for Widespread Stealth VolcanismPlanetary Science Journal
Ay/Ge 107. Introduction to Astronomical Observation.
9 units (1-1-7); third term, 2023-24.
Prerequisites: CS 1 or equivalent coding experience recommended.
This hands-on, project-based course covers the design, proposal, and execution of astronomical observations, the basics of data reduction and analysis, and interacting with astronomical survey catalogs. In the first module, students will learn to use small, portable telescopes and find and image objects of interest using finder charts. In the second module, students will use Palomar Observatory to propose and execute their own research projects focused on astrophysical or planetary topics. In the third module, students will query and work with data from on-line archives and catalogs. The scope of the course includes imaging and spectroscopic observational techniques at optical and infrared wavelengths. The format centers on projects and practical skills but also includes a lecture and problem set component to establish the theoretical underpinnings of the practical work. The course meets one day per week, with both a daytime class and an evening observing session; in addition, there is a required weekend field trip to Palomar Observatory.
Instructors: Hillenbrand, de Kleer
Instructors: Hillenbrand, de Kleer
Ge 151. Planetary Surfaces.
9 units (3-3-3); second term, 2023-24.
We will review the mechanisms responsible for the formation and modification of the surfaces of solar system bodies, studying both composition and physical processes. Topics include exogenous processes (impact cratering, space weathering) and endogenous processes (tectonic, volcanic, weathering, fluvial, aeolian, and periglacial) that shape the surfaces of planets. Lectures, occasional labs, and one required field trip.
Instructor: de Kleer
Instructor: de Kleer
Ay/Ge 107. Introduction to Astronomical Observation.
9 units (1-1-7); third term, 2022-23.
Prerequisites: CS 1 or equivalent coding experience recommended.
This hands-on, project-based course covers the design, proposal, and execution of astronomical observations, the basics of data reduction and analysis, and interacting with astronomical survey catalogs. In the first module, students will learn to use small, portable telescopes and find and image objects of interest using finder charts. In the second module, students will use Palomar Observatory to propose and execute their own research projects focused on astrophysical or planetary topics. In the third module, students will query and work with data from on-line archives and catalogs. The scope of the course includes imaging and spectroscopic observational techniques at optical and infrared wavelengths. The format centers on projects and practical skills but also includes a lecture and problem set component to establish the theoretical underpinnings of the practical work. The course meets once a week in the evening, and there are 1-2 required field trips to Palomar Observatory.
Instructors: Hillenbrand, de Kleer
Instructors: Hillenbrand, de Kleer
Ge 151. Planetary Surfaces.
9 units (3-3-3); first term, 2022-23.
We will review the mechanisms responsible for the formation and modification of the surfaces of solar system bodies, studying both composition and physical processes. Topics include exogenous processes (impact cratering, space weathering) and endogenous processes (tectonic, volcanic, weathering, fluvial, aeolian, and periglacial) that shape the surfaces of planets. Lectures, occasional labs, and one required field trip.
Instructor: de Kleer
Instructor: de Kleer
Ay/Ge 107. Introduction to Astronomical Observation.
9 units (1-1-7); first term, 2021-22.
Prerequisites: CS1 or equivalent coding experience recommended.
This hands-on, project-based course covers the design, proposal, and execution of astronomical observations, the basics of data reduction and analysis, and interacting with astronomical survey catalogs. In the first module, students will learn to use small, portable telescopes and find and image objects of interest using finder charts. In the second module, students will use Palomar Observatory to propose and execute their own research projects focused on astrophysical or planetary topics. In the third module, students will query and work with data from on-line archives and catalogs. The scope of the course includes imaging and spectroscopic observational techniques at optical and infrared wavelengths. The format centers on projects and practical skills but also includes a lecture and problem set component to establish the theoretical underpinnings of the practical work. The course meets once a week in the evening, and there are 1-2 required field trips to Palomar Observatory.
Instructors: Hillenbrand, de Kleer
Instructors: Hillenbrand, de Kleer
Ge 151. Planetary Surfaces.
9 units (3-3-3); third term, 2021-22.
We will review the mechanisms responsible for the formation and modification of the surfaces of solar system bodies, studying both composition and physical processes. Topics include exogenous processes (impact cratering, space weathering) and endogenous processes (tectonic, volcanic, weathering, fluvial, aeolian, and periglacial) that shape the surfaces of planets. Lectures, occasional labs, and one required field trip.
Instructor: de Kleer
Instructor: de Kleer
Ay/Ge 107. Introduction to Astronomical Observation.
9 units (1-1-7); first term, 2020-21.
Prerequisites: CS 1 or equivalent coding experience recommended.
This hands-on, project-based course covers the design, proposal, and execution of astronomical observations, the basics of data reduction and analysis, and interacting with astronomical survey catalogs. In the first module, students will learn to use small, portable telescopes and find and image objects of interest using finder charts. In the second module, students will use Palomar Observatory to propose and execute their own research projects focused on astrophysical or planetary topics. In the third module, students will query and work with data from on-line archives and catalogs. The scope of the course includes imaging and spectroscopic observational techniques at optical and infrared wavelengths. The format centers on projects and practical skills but also includes a lecture and problem set component to establish the theoretical underpinnings of the practical work. The course meets once a week in the evening, and there are 1-2 required field trips to Palomar Observatory. Not offered 2020-21.
Instructors: Hillenbrand, de Kleer
Instructors: Hillenbrand, de Kleer