
Amy Keesee
My research includes three areas: magnetospheric physics, instrument development, and laboratory plasma physics. In magnetospheric physics, I analyze satellite-based data to understand the dynamics of the magnetosphere during geomagnetic storms. These data are often incorporated with computer models to improve understanding of the underlying physics. I am working to develop the next generation of plasma spectrometers to measure charged particles in space, particularly on small platforms such as CubeSats. The spectrometer is also being developed as a diagnostic for fusion energy producing plasma research. I am also involved in laboratory based plasma physics research, particularly with laser-based diagnostics. These studies help us to understand space-relevant phenomena.
Courses Taught
- PHYS 408H: Honors/General Physics II
- PHYS 708: Optics
- PHYS 806: Intro to Physics Rsch&Teaching
- PHYS 951: Plasma Physics
- PHYS 999: Doctoral Research
Education
- Ph.D., Plasma Physics, West Virginia University
- M.S., Physics, West Virginia University
- B.S., Mathematics, Davidson College
Research Interests
- Flight Instruments
- Instrumentation, Techniques (Physical Sciences)
- Magnetospheric Phenomena
- Nuclear Fusion, Plasma Research
- Plasma Physics
- Space Sciences
- Space Weather
- Spectroscopy
Selected Publications
Johnson, J. W., Öztürk, D. S., Hampton, D., Connor, H. K., Blandin, M., & Keesee, A. (2024). Automatic Detection and Classification of Aurora in THEMIS All‐Sky Images. Journal of Geophysical Research: Machine Learning and Computation, 1(4). doi:10.1029/2024jh000292
Smith, A. W., Rae, I. J., Forsyth, C., Coxon, J. C., Walach, M., Lao, C. J., . . . Bentley, S. (2024). Space Weather Forecasts of Ground Level Space Weather in the UK: Evaluating Performance and Limitations. Space Weather, 22(11). doi:10.1029/2024sw003973
Adewuyi, M., Keesee, A., & Ferdousi, B. (2024). Merging Mesoscale Magnetotail Features and Ground B‐Field Perturbation Network Connectivity During Substorm Activity. Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 129(9). doi:10.1029/2024ja032598
Scime, E. E., Dugas, M., Gilbert, T. J., John, R., Keesee, A. M., & Wagner, G. (2024). Demonstration of a Multi‐Layer, Lithographically Manufactured Plasma Spectrometer. Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 129(1). doi:10.1029/2023ja032194
Sorathia, K. A., Michael, A., Merkin, V. G., Ohtani, S., Keesee, A. M., Sciola, A., . . . Pulkkinen, A. (2023). Multiscale Magnetosphere‐Ionosphere Coupling During Stormtime: A Case Study of the Dawnside Current Wedge. Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 128(11). doi:10.1029/2023ja031594
Walsh, A. P., Haaland, S., Forsyth, C., Keesee, A. M., Kissinger, J., Li, K., . . . Taylor, M. G. G. T. (2014). Dawn-dusk asymmetries in the coupled solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere system: a review. ANNALES GEOPHYSICAE, 32(7), 705-737. doi:10.5194/angeo-32-705-2014
Sun, X., Keesee, A. M., Biloiu, C., Scime, E. E., Meige, A., Charles, C., & Boswell, R. W. (2005). Observations of ion-beam formation in a current-free double layer. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS, 95(2). doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.95.025004
Keesee, A. M., Scime, E. E., & Boivin, R. F. (2004). Laser-induced fluorescence measurements of three plasma species with a tunable diode laser. In REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS Vol. 75 (pp. 4091-4093). doi:10.1063/1.1787166
Zweben, S. J., Maqueda, R. J., Stotler, D. P., Keesee, A., Boedo, J., Bush, C. E., . . . Team, N. S. T. X. (2004). High-speed imaging of edge turbulence in NSTX. NUCLEAR FUSION, 44(1), 134-153. doi:10.1088/0029-5515/44/1/016
Kline, J. L., Scime, E. E., Boivin, R. F., Keesee, A. M., Sun, X., & Mikhailenko, V. S. (2002). rf absorption and ion heating in helicon sources. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS, 88(19). doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.88.195002