Daniel Stern

Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Papers

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Total Citations

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H-Index

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About

Daniel Stern is an astrophysicist whose research spans the frontiers of the outer solar system and high-energy astrophysics. He is best known for his work on the Kuiper Belt, Centaurs, and the New Horizons mission, where he has contributed to our understanding of small icy bodies beyond Neptune. Stern's most notable contribution is the conceptualization of a novel spacecraft mission that would simultaneously explore the Centaurs—primitive objects orbiting between Jupiter and Neptune—while serving as a space telescope for studying the outer solar system and cosmic phenomena. This dual-purpose mission design, outlined in his 2021 paper, represents a creative approach to maximizing scientific return from limited deep-space resources. Though early in its citation history, the concept has already sparked interest for its potential to bridge planetary science and astrophysics. Stern's broader impact is reflected in his extensive publication record, with papers collectively cited over 10,000 times, including foundational work on the demographics of trans-Neptunian objects. His achievements include leadership roles in NASA mission planning and recognition for advancing the exploration of the solar system's most distant frontiers.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

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H-Index
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Papers
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Total Citations
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Avg Citations/Paper
🏆 Most Cited Paper
A new spacecraft mission concept combining the first exploration of the Centaurs and an astrophysical space telescope for the outer solar system
1 citations · 2021
📈 Most Prolific Year: 2021 (1 Papers)
🤝 Key Collaborators: 11
🏛 Institutions: Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Top Papers

  1. 1

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links

Available for collaboration
Content generated · 11 days ago