Andrew E. Potter

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About

Andrew E. Potter is a pioneering figure in planetary astronomy, best known for his foundational work on the lunar sodium exosphere and the development of innovative observational techniques. His research focuses on the tenuous atmospheres of airless bodies, particularly the Moon, where he has made seminal contributions to understanding the dynamics and sources of sodium and other volatile elements. Potter designed and built a robotically controlled coronagraph at the Winer Observatory in Arizona, enabling remote, high-cadence observations of the lunar exosphere extending to half a degree from the Moon. This instrument, operated from Goddard Space Flight Center, has provided critical data on seasonal and spatial variations in sodium emissions, with his 2019 paper on coronagraphic observations accumulating 17 citations. Beyond this work, Potter’s career includes key achievements in exospheric modeling and the detection of alkali metals in planetary environments, influencing subsequent studies of Mercury and other bodies. His blend of instrumentation, observation, and theory has left a lasting impact on the field, making him a respected authority on lunar and planetary exospheres.