Amy Keesee
Our technology-driven society is dependent upon satellite technology for communication, navigation, and national security, as well as upon a reliable power grid for everyday needs such as money transactions, job functions, and food storage. These infrastructure systems are vulnerable to geomagnetic activity, when charged particles in the space surrounding Earth are energized and transported due to energy input from the Sun. My research centers on studying these charged particles during enhanced geomagnetically active events to improve our understanding of and eventually be able to forecast the characteristics of space during them. Such improved space weather forecasts would provide a reliable warning system to protect satellite and power grid infrastructure.
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.
Research Interests
- Flight Instruments
- Instrumentation, Techniques (Physical Sciences)
- Magnetospheric Phenomena
- Nuclear Fusion, Plasma Research
- Plasma Physics
- Space Sciences
- Space Weather
- Spectroscopy
Courses Taught
- PHYS 708/808: Optics
- PHYS 797: Senior Design Project
Selected Publications
Keesee, A., Williamson, K., & Robertson-Honecker, J. (2019). Community Based Solar Eclipse Outreach in Rural Appalachia. In S. Buxner, L. Shore, & J. Jensen (Eds.), Celebrating the 2017 Great American Eclipse: Lessons Learned from the Path of Totality (Vol. 516, pp. 77-83). Retrieved from http://www.aspbooks.org/a/volumes/table_of_contents/?book_id=591
Keesee, A. M., Dugas, M., Ellison, S., Neal, L., Scime, E. E., Thompson, D. S., . . . Tucker, C. J. (2018). Micro-spectrometer for fusion plasma boundary measurements. Review of Scientific Instruments, 89(10), 10J116. doi:10.1063/1.5035365
Keesee, A. M., Katus, R. M., & Scime, E. E. (2017). The Effect of Storm Driver and Intensity on Magnetospheric Ion Temperatures. Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 122(9), 9414-9426. doi:10.1002/2017ja023973
Katus, R. M., Keesee, A. M., Scime, E., & Liemohn, M. W. (2017). Storm time equatorial magnetospheric ion temperature derived from TWINS ENA flux. Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 122(4), 3985-3996. doi:10.1002/2016ja023824
Scime, E. E., Keesee, A. M., Dugas, M., Ellison, S., Tersteeg, J., Wagner, G., . . . Elliott, D. (2016). A micro-scale plasma spectrometer for space and plasma edge applications (invited). Review of Scientific Instruments, 87(11), 11D302. doi:10.1063/1.4960145
Keesee, A. M., & Scime, E. E. (2007). Neutral density profiles in argon helicon plasmas. Plasma Sources Science and Technology, 16(4), 742-749. doi:10.1088/0963-0252/16/4/008
Zweben, S. J., Maqueda, R. J., Stotler, D. P., Keesee, A., Boedo, J., Bush, C. E., . . . Team, T. 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
Sun, X., Keesee, A. M., Biloiu, C., Scime, E. E., Meige, A., Charles, C., & Boswell, R. W. (n.d.). Observations of Ion-Beam Formation in a Current-Free Double Layer. Physical Review Letters, 95(2). doi:10.1103/physrevlett.95.025004
Kline, J. L., Scime, E. E., Boivin, R. F., Keesee, A. M., Sun, X., & Mikhailenko, V. S. (n.d.). rf Absorption and Ion Heating in Helicon Sources. Physical Review Letters, 88(19). doi:10.1103/physrevlett.88.195002
Walsh, A. P., Haaland, S., Forsyth, C., Keesee, A. M., Kissinger, J., Li, K., . . . Taylor, M. G. G. T. (n.d.). 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
Most Cited Publications