Amy Keesee

Amy Keesee
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Space Science Center
Office: Space Science Center, Morse Hall RM 415, Durham, NH 03824
Websites: Full profile: FindScholars@UNH, https://mypages.unh.edu/amykeesee
Curriculum Vitae
A headshot of Amy Keesee, an associate professor in the Space Science Center.
https://twitter.com/plasmaphysmom

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.

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

Courses Taught

  • PHYS 408: General Physics II Recitation
  • PHYS 708: Optics
  • PHYS 708/808: Optics
  • PHYS 797: Senior Design Project
  • PHYS 951: Plasma Physics
  • PHYS 999: Doctoral Research

Selected Publications

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

Bashir, M. F., Keesee, A. M., Claudepierre, S. G., Hartinger, M. D., MacDonald, E. A., Jaynes, A., . . . Shprits, Y. (n.d.). Recognition for All: A Way Forward to Enhance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Space Physics. Vol. 55, Issue 3 (Heliophysics 2024 Decadal Whitepapers), 55(3). doi:10.3847/25c2cfeb.bff53876

Keesee, A., & Scime, E. (n.d.). Technology development needed to enable magnetosphere missions. Vol. 55, Issue 3 (Heliophysics 2024 Decadal Whitepapers). doi:10.3847/25c2cfeb.2a521484

Filwett, R., Keesee, A., Jaynes, A., Brandt, L., Nikoukar, R., Mathews, N., & Greeley, A. (n.d.). Accessibility and its Importance to the Future of Heliophysics. Vol. 55, Issue 3 (Heliophysics 2024 Decadal Whitepapers). doi:10.3847/25c2cfeb.fa638e9d

Argall, M., McGranaghan, R., Smith, A., Klein, K., Bortnik, J., Chen, T. Y., . . . Shuster, J. (n.d.). Intelligent Missions in the Living Heliospheric System Observatory. Vol. 55, Issue 3 (Heliophysics 2024 Decadal Whitepapers). doi:10.3847/25c2cfeb.abb7e520

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

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Most Cited Publications