K. Warden
Papers
1
Total Citations
133
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About
K. Warden is a planetary scientist specializing in the thermophysical characterization of near-Earth asteroids, with a particular focus on small bodies targeted by NASA missions. Their most influential work centers on the OSIRIS-REx mission’s target, asteroid (101955) Bennu, where they led thermal infrared observations that provided critical insights into the asteroid’s surface properties. Their 2014 study, cited over 130 times, used data from the Spitzer Space Telescope to derive Bennu’s thermal inertia, roughness, and albedo—key parameters that informed mission planning and sample site selection. By modeling how Bennu’s surface heats and cools, Warden helped reveal that the asteroid is covered in fine-grained regolith and boulders, a finding that shaped our understanding of its geological history. This work has been foundational for interpreting OSIRIS-REx’s later in-situ measurements and for broader studies of rubble-pile asteroids. Warden’s contributions demonstrate how ground-based thermal observations can bridge the gap between telescopic surveys and spacecraft exploration, making them a vital figure in asteroid science.
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