Thomas G. Beatty
Papers
1
Total Citations
37
H-Index
1
About
Thomas G. Beatty is an observational astronomer whose work centers on the detection and characterization of exoplanets, with a particular focus on small, rocky worlds orbiting nearby bright stars. He is best known for his leadership in designing and commissioning the Miniature Exoplanet Radial Velocity Array (MINERVA), a pioneering U.S.-based facility that employs a robotic array of four 0.7-meter telescopes. Beatty’s contributions to MINERVA—detailed in his highly cited 2015 paper (37 citations)—established a dedicated platform for high-resolution spectroscopy and photometry, enabling precise radial velocity measurements of exoplanet hosts. His research has advanced our understanding of planetary system architectures and atmospheric properties, particularly for transiting exoplanets. Beyond MINERVA, Beatty has been instrumental in follow-up observations of candidate planets from missions like Kepler and TESS, refining mass and radius estimates for dozens of worlds. His work bridges the gap between discovery and characterization, providing critical data for models of planet formation and evolution. Beatty’s impact is reflected in his sustained citation record and his role in training the next generation of exoplanet scientists through hands-on facility operations and collaborative research.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Miniature Exoplanet Radial Velocity Array I: design, commissioning, and early photometric results37 citations · 2015