Dr. Nalin Samarasinha

Senior Scientist

Currently resides in AZ

Targets of Interest: Comets, Asteroids, Trans-Neptunian Objects

Disciplines/Techniques: Ground-based observing, Numerical modeling, Remote sensing, Education/Public Outreach (EPO)

Facilities: Kitt Peak, Cerro Tololo

Dr. Samarasinha’s research interests are focused on the study of comets and other small bodies of the solar system. His studies include understanding the physics and chemistry of cometary nuclei and comae, including rotational studies of nuclei and interpretation of coma morphologies, the structural properties of small bodies in the solar system, the rotational and physical properties of Trans-Neptunian objects, and the physical properties of asteroids.

In front of the 8.1m diameter primary mirror of Gemini South Telescope during an observing run at SOAR Telescope