Stephen E. Dunagan
Papers
8
Total Citations
236
H-Index
7
About
Stephen E. Dunagan is a research scientist whose work bridges two fascinating frontiers: the atmospheric science of aerosols and clouds, and the robotic exploration of Mars. His major contributions fall into two key areas. First, he has advanced airborne remote sensing, notably through the development of the 4STAR Sun photometer, which provided high-resolution, hyperspectral aerosol optical depth data during the TCAP and KORUS-AQ campaigns. His work on cloud thermodynamic phase detection using polarimetrically sensitive radiometers is also highly regarded, with his 2015 paper on the topic accumulating 29 citations. Second, Dunagan played a central role in the Mars Astrobiology Research and Technology Experiment (MARTE), a series of field simulations in the Rio Tinto, Spain—a Mars analog site. As lead author on the 2008 paper describing the mission’s objectives and results (61 citations), he helped demonstrate robotic drilling technology for searching for subsurface life on Mars. With over 230 total citations across his most-cited works, Dunagan’s research is notable for its dual impact: improving our understanding of Earth’s atmosphere while directly contributing to the technology and strategy for future Mars exploration.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Hyperspectral aerosol optical depths from TCAP flights65 citations · 2013
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- 5Field Simulation of a Drilling Mission to Mars to Search for Subsurface Life16 citations · 2005
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