Targets of Interest: Asteroids, Moon, Vesta
Disciplines/Techniques: Celestial Mechanics, Ground-based observing, Numerical modeling
Missions: Apollo
Dr. Donald R. Davis is interested in the origin and evolution of the planetary system. He conducts hypervelocity impact experiments using the NASA Ames Vertical Gun Range and applies dynamical theory and computational modeling to study planetesimal accretion and the collisional history of asteroids, satellites, and particles in planetary rings. He is also involved in ground-based observations of asteroids and infrared searches for intra- Mercurian bodies. He is actively involved with light pollution issues.