Robert Hawkes: Research Interests

Faculty of Science

Mount Allison University Physics

Mt A | Science at Mt A | Physics Dept. | Robert Hawkes

Dr. Robert Hawkes - Research Interests

My research interests are in solar system astrophysics, in particular the study of meteors and their parent objects asteroids and comets, and in physics education and science outreach. Within astrophysics particular interests include meteor structure, meteor ablation in planetary atmospheres, electro-optical detection techniques, and laser ablation techniques. Our research group at Mount Allison is SPARC(SPace and Astrophysics Research Consortium). We use microchannel plate image intensifiers with CCD image detectors to study faint meteors as they ablate in the Earth's atmosphere. Of particular interest to us is the physical structure and the mode of atmospheric ablation of meteors. This is important not only for learning about conditions in the primordial solar system from which comets formed, but also as a practical matter since the interaction of natural meteoroids with spacecraft will depend on the physical structure of the meteoroids.
Some recent and current research projects:

Laser ablation of meteorites to simulate atmospheric meteor ablation, and in particular to study the size of the light production region, and to obtain an estimate of the luminous efficiency factor (by comparing ablated mass obtained via scanning electron microscope images with photometry and spectroscopy during laser ablation).
Study of the possible role of electrostatic forces in meteoroid fragmentation. In particular, we have made measurements of meteorite electrical breakdown and conductivity measurements to support this work.
Use of high resolution electro-optical techniques in order to study in-flight meteor fragmentation, and to make indirect inferences about meteoroid structure.
Study of the role of meteoroid impacts in altering the composition and structure of cometary nuclei.

In physics education I have particular interests in collaborative learning, experiential education, set induction, teaching and technology, early research intensive experiences, and reflective practices such as journal writing. In physics teaching a current interest is in the use of high frame rate video.

See publications link for more details. I write a blog blog on physics education research .

© R.L. Hawkes 2002 Mount Allison University

Maintained by rhawkes@mta.ca

Last updated Dec. 6, 2010


Mt A \| Science at Mt A \| Physics Dept. \| Robert Hawkes
Dr. Robert Hawkes - Research Interests
My research interests are in solar system astrophysics, in particular the study of meteors and their parent objects asteroids and comets, and in physics education and science outreach. Within astrophysics particular interests include meteor structure, meteor ablation in planetary atmospheres, electro-optical detection techniques, and laser ablation techniques. Our research group at Mount Allison is SPARC(SPace and Astrophysics Research Consortium). We use microchannel plate image intensifiers with CCD image detectors to study faint meteors as they ablate in the Earth's atmosphere. Of particular interest to us is the physical structure and the mode of atmospheric ablation of meteors. This is important not only for learning about conditions in the primordial solar system from which comets formed, but also as a practical matter since the interaction of natural meteoroids with spacecraft will depend on the physical structure of the meteoroids. Some recent and current research projects: Laser ablation of meteorites to simulate atmospheric meteor ablation, and in particular to study the size of the light production region, and to obtain an estimate of the luminous efficiency factor (by comparing ablated mass obtained via scanning electron microscope images with photometry and spectroscopy during laser ablation). Study of the possible role of electrostatic forces in meteoroid fragmentation. In particular, we have made measurements of meteorite electrical breakdown and conductivity measurements to support this work. Use of high resolution electro-optical techniques in order to study in-flight meteor fragmentation, and to make indirect inferences about meteoroid structure. Study of the role of meteoroid impacts in altering the composition and structure of cometary nuclei. In physics education I have particular interests in collaborative learning, experiential education, set induction, teaching and technology, early research intensive experiences, and reflective practices such as journal writing. In physics teaching a current interest is in the use of high frame rate video. See publications link for more details. I write a blog blog on physics education research .
© R.L. Hawkes 2002 Mount Allison University
Maintained by rhawkes@mta.ca
Last updated Dec. 6, 2010