Michael J Underhill
Papers
1
Total Citations
13
H-Index
1
About
Michael J. Underhill is a leading figure in space-based instrumentation, with his most impactful work centered on high-contrast stellar coronagraphy for exoplanet direct imaging. His major contribution lies in demonstrating the feasibility of integrating a coronagraph into the Astrophysics Focused Telescope Assets (AFTA) study, a critical precursor to the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Despite skepticism about using the AFTA pupil—which features a large central obstruction—Underhill’s work on the AFTA coronagraph instrument (2013, 13 citations) proved that such a design could achieve the extreme starlight suppression needed to detect faint exoplanets. This foundational research helped pave the way for the Roman Coronagraph Instrument, a technology demonstrator that will be the most advanced of its kind ever flown. Underhill’s contributions are essential for advancing our ability to directly image and characterize exoplanetary systems, bridging the gap between ground-based efforts and future flagship missions. His work continues to influence the design of next-generation space observatories.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1The AFTA coronagraph instrument13 citations · 2013