PTYS/LPL Research Scientists
Matthew Chojnacki
Associate Staff Scientist
Planetary Surfaces, Small Bodies, OSIRIS-REx, HiRISE
Ph.D., 2013, University of Tennessee
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Sonett 206
I am a planetary geologist who has been involved with the exploration and scientific investigation of Mars using data returned from numerous spacecraft for the past decade. I am a member of the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) science team which is onboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). Here at the University of Arizona, I am Associate Staff Scientist working with HiRISE Principal Investigator Alfred McEwen and the rest of his team. We provide mission support by processing new images and data analysis from HiRISE and other data sets in an attempt to better understand the red planet. I also work with camera payload upload leads in t dargeting specific sites of geologic interest for my own investigations. Most recently I have joined the Origins Spectral Interpretation Resource Identification Security REgolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) mission to visit and return samples from the asteroid Bennu. There I provide mission planning support and photogrammetry processing with the mission's main camera system named OSIRIS-REx CAMera Suite (OCAMS).
Additionally, I am fortunate to have participated with several amazing NASA spacecraft instrument teams, with cameras onboard the Mars Odyssey (MO) satellite with Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS), and the Mars Exploration Rovers (MER) with thePanoramic Camera (Pancam).
My recent research has focused on the geologic, morphologic, and climatic evolutions of Mars. I am particularly interested in:
- Surface composition, thermal properties, and geology of planetary crusts
- Thermophysical and spectral properties of the Martian surface
- Remote and laboratory reflectance and emission spectroscopy
- Aqueous alteration and weathering of planetary crusts
- Aeolian transport and induration processes, dune dynamics and morphology
- Terrestrial analog studies and comparative planetology
Current Grants
- 2015 NASA OSIRIS-REx Image Processing Working Group (IPWG) photogrammetry scientist
- 2014 NASA Mars Data Analysis Program, Characterizing Global Sand Fluxes on Mars: PI (2015-2018)
- 2013 NASA Planetary Geology and Geophysics Program, Geologic Map of the Coprates Chasma (MTM -15057), Valles Marineris, Mars: Co-I (2015-2017)
- 2012 NASA Mars Data Analysis Program, Characterizing the Current Aeolian Transport Environment for Sediment in Greater Meridiani Planum: Co-I (2014-2016)
- 2012 NASA Mars Data Analysis Program, Recurring Slope Lineae (RSL) on Mars: Unofficial Collaborator (2014-2016)
- High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission (3rd extended mission); Associate Staff Scientist and "Composition & Photometry" Science Theme Lead (2015-current); Photogrammetry and Image Processing Scientist
Complete publications list available from: NASA ADS Author Search: Matthew Chojnacki
Refereed publications (NASA ADS): Calendar Years 2017 through June 2019
Banks, M. E., Fenton, L. K., Bridges, N. T., Geissler, P. E., Chojnacki, M., Runyon, K. D., Silvestro, S., Zimbelman, J. R. Patterns in Mobility and Modification of Middle- and High-Latitude Southern Hemisphere Dunes on Mars 2018JGRE..123.3205B
DellaGiustina, D. N., Bennett, C. A., Becker, K., Golish, D. R., Le Corre, L., Cook, D. A., Edmundson, K. L., Chojnacki, M., Sutton, S. S., Milazzo, M. P., Carcich, B., Nolan, M. C., Habib, N., Burke, K. N., Becker, T., Smith, P. H., Walsh, K. J., Getzandanner, K., Wibben, D. R., Leonard, J. M., Westermann, M. M., Polit, A. T., Kidd, J. N., Hergenrother, C. W., Boynton, W. V., Backer, J., Sides, S., Mapel, J., Berry, K., Roper, H., Drouet d'Aubigny, C., Rizk, B., Crombie, M. K., Kinney-Spano, E. K., de León, J., Rizos, J. L., Licandro, J., Campins, H. C., Clark, B. E., Enos, H. L., Lauretta, D. S. Overcoming the Challenges Associated with Image-Based Mapping of Small Bodies in Preparation for the OSIRIS-REx Mission to (101955) Bennu 2018E&SS....5..929D
Tornabene, L. L., Seelos, F. P., Pommerol, A., Thomas, N., Caudill, C. M., Becerra, P., Bridges, J. C., Byrne, S., Cardinale, M., Chojnacki, M., Conway, S. J., Cremonese, G., Dundas, C. M., El-Maarry, M. R., Fernando, J., Hansen, C. J., Hansen, K., Harrison, T. N., Henson, R., Marinangeli, L., McEwen, A. S., Pajola, M., Sutton, S. S., Wray, J. J. Image Simulation and Assessment of the Colour and Spatial Capabilities of the Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) on the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter 2018SSRv..214...18T
Chojnacki, M., Banks, M., Urso, A. Wind-Driven Erosion and Exposure Potential at Mars 2020 Rover Candidate-Landing Sites 2018JGRE..123..468C
Urso, A., Chojnacki, M., Vaz, D. A. Dune-Yardang Interactions in Becquerel Crater, Mars 2018JGRE..123..353U
Dundas, C. M., McEwen, A. S., Chojnacki, M., Milazzo, M. P., Byrne, S., McElwaine, J. N., Urso, A. Granular flows at recurring slope lineae on Mars indicate a limited role for liquid water 2017NatGe..10..903D
Chojnacki, M., Fenton, L. K. The Geologic Exploration of the Bagnold Dune Field at Gale Crater by the Curiosity Rover 2017JGRE..122.2216C
Chojnacki, M., Urso, A., Fenton, L. K., Michaels, T. I. Aeolian dune sediment flux heterogeneity in Meridiani Planum, Mars 2017AeoRe..26...73C
Chojnacki, M., Telfer, M. W. Editorial Introduction: Fourth Planetary Dunes Workshop Special Issue 2017AeoRe..26....1C
- On Mars, Sands Shift to a Different Drum - May 22, 2019
| Available files | Size | Created |
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 Chojnacki_CV_062017.pdf | 204.81 KB | December 12, 2018 |