S. Poindexter

Papers

Total Citations

197

H-Index

About

Driven by an insatiable curiosity for the cosmos, S. Poindexter is a leading figure in exoplanetary science and astronomical instrumentation. Their most impactful contribution is the development of the Kilodegree Extremely Little Telescope (KELT) project, a cleverly designed, small-aperture, wide-field robotic survey. This system, detailed in their highly cited 2013 paper (197 citations), revolutionized the search for planetary transits of bright stars by surveying vast 26°×26° fields from Winer Observatory in Arizona. By prioritizing brightness over depth, Poindexter enabled the discovery of transiting exoplanets around stars bright enough for detailed follow-up characterization, bridging a critical gap in the field. This innovative approach has provided the community with key targets for atmospheric and orbital studies, cementing Poindexter’s legacy as a pioneer who proved that big science can come in small, extremely little packages. Their work continues to inspire a new generation of survey designers and exoplanet hunters.