David E. Trilling
Papers
2
Total Citations
7
H-Index
2
About
David E. Trilling is a planetary scientist whose research focuses on the physical characterization of small bodies in our solar system, with particular emphasis on near-Earth objects (NEOs). His work leverages advanced observational tools and robotic telescope systems to rapidly survey and classify these bodies, providing critical insights into their composition, taxonomy, and potential hazard to Earth. Among his notable contributions is a sustained, multi-observatory campaign using the RATIR instrument on the 1.5 m robotic telescope at San Pedro Martir's National Observatory in Mexico. Through this program, Trilling and collaborators have systematically characterized the spectrophotometric properties of hundreds of NEOs, including a landmark study presenting r–i color observations of 82 NEOs and a follow-up taxonomic classification of 238 subkilometer objects using multiwavelength photometry. These efforts are particularly valuable given how poorly understood small NEOs remain compared to their larger counterparts. Trilling's research directly informs planetary defense efforts and our broader understanding of solar system evolution. His work, recognized through growing citation counts across the community, represents an important foundation for future large-scale NEO surveys and characterization missions aimed at understanding Earth's nearest celestial neighbors.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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