Joshua Pepper

Lehigh University, Vanderbilt University

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Joshua Pepper is an astronomer whose work bridges the gap between stellar astrophysics and exoplanet discovery. His primary research focuses on detecting and characterizing transiting exoplanets around bright stars, as well as understanding the variable nature of pulsating stars like Cepheids. Pepper is best known for his instrumental role in the Kilodegree Extremely Little Telescope (KELT) survey, a wide-field robotic system that scans ~40% of the Northern sky to identify transiting planets around relatively bright host stars. This innovative, low-cost approach has enabled the discovery of several notable exoplanets and has advanced our ability to study planetary systems in detail. In addition to exoplanet work, Pepper has contributed to the study of Cepheid period variations, which are critical for calibrating the extragalactic distance ladder. His paper on the Cepheid VZ Cyg, while modest in citations, highlights his attention to fundamental stellar processes. With over 2,000 citations across his body of work, Pepper’s impact lies in his ability to design and execute efficient surveys that yield high-value targets for follow-up characterization, making him a key figure in modern exoplanet science and stellar variability research.