Introduction to the Key Personnel

Larry A. Lebofsky - Project Scientist

Dr. Larry Lebofsky is a recognized expert in minor planet research, with over 30 years' experience in the field of minor planet photometry and nearly 100 papers in the field of solar system astronomy and planetary science. Among other major achievements, Dr. Lebofsky invented the thermal model for asteroids still in use today. He spent the majority of his career at the University of Arizona, one of the premier centers in the US for planetary science studies, including the study of NEO's. Three of the approximately half dozen successful professional surveys conducted worldwide are conducted by or managed from the University of Arizona. Dr. Lebofsky retired from the University of Arizona in 2007, and now serves part-time at both the University of Arizona's Steward Observatory and at the Planetary Science Institute in Tucson.

Besides being a pre-eminent scientist in his field, Dr. Lebofsky is also an accomplished researcher, spokesperson, and advocate for public education and public outreach in the sciences. As can be seen below in his CV, he is active in the field of public science education, has published extensively in this field, and has received several grants for innovative programs that he has developed in science education, several in collaboration with his wife Nancy. This heavy involvement in and experience with science education makes Dr. Lebofsky the ideal Project Scientist for a project in which a significant fraction of the time on the telescope will be devoted to users assigned by a significant EPO partner, some or many of whom may not be professional astronomers.

A condensed version of Dr. Lebofsky's Curriculum Vitae follows.

Education


B.S., California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA; Astronomy, 1969.
Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Tech., Cambridge, MA; Earth and Planet. Sci., 1974. Dissertation Title: Chemical Composition of Saturn's Rings and Icy Satellites

Areas of Research


Telescopic observations of asteroids, comets, Saturn's Rings, and satellites; science education.

Recent Academic and Professional Appointments


Senior Research Scientist, 1989-2007 Lunar and Planetary Laboratory and Steward Observatory, University of Arizona
2007- Steward Observatory, University of Arizona (part-time)
2007- Planetary Science Institute (part-time)

Recent Science Grants


1977-98 NASA, Infrared Observations of the Solar System Objects, PI
1980-97 NASA, Laboratory Studies of Low Albedo Materials, NASA, PI
1997-99 NASA/STScI, NICMOS Observations of Asteroid Vesta, Co-I

Recent Education Grants


16 previous education grants
2001-03 NASA/STSCI, PASS, PI
2001- DOE, AzTEC, PI (U of Arizona)
2001-03 Hewlett Foundation, Teaching Teams Program, Co-I
2002-03 ABOR, Teaching Concepts: From User to Practitioner, PI
2002-12 NASA, NirCAM, NGST IR Instrument, Education Collaborator
2002-04 Exxon/Mobil and NSTA, Building A Presence, State Coordinator
2003-06 FIPSE/DOE, Einstein's Proteges, Co-I

Honors and Awards


Asteroid 3439 Lebofsky
U of A College of Sciences Award for Excellence in Education Outreach, 1996
2000 Sagan Medal of the Division for Planetary Sciences of the AAS
2000-2001, Outstanding Faculty Member recognition, Disability Resource Center, U of A
2002 & 2003 Guest Coach, University of Arizona Athletic Department

Recent Teaching Experience


1996- The Universe and Humanity: Origin and Destiny
1999- The Physical Universe
1999 Teaching Concepts and Teaching Concepts II
2003- IRIS (Intervention, Retention, and Inclusion for Students)

Professional Societies, Science


AAS, AGU, ASP, DPS (E/PO Officer), Met. Soc., IAU

Professional Societies, Education


NSTA, AETS, AAE, CESI, ASTA (Past President), CSTA

Professional Experience, Education


Presenter, Science Channel (EMG), for programs on comets and telescopes.
Science education consultant, Galaxy video series on astronomy

Professional Service, Education


12 prior committees and advisory boards
1997 ASTA Program Committee: District Representative, 1998-1999, President, 2000-01
1998- Division for Planetary Science of AAS, Education Officer (permanent member LOC)
1998-01 Member, Voyager! Project of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum
2000-03 Board of Directors Astronomical Society of the Pacific
2003- NASA OSS Science Working Group (as education member)
2003- Member, Astronomy Education Board of the AAS
2003- Science Articulation Committee, Arizona Department of Education

Books and Chapters in Books

  1. Stars and Constellations in the Classroom, N. R. Lebofsky and L. A. Lebofsky, in Creative Childhood Experiences: Integrating Science and Math Through Projects, Activities, and Centers, (P. Rillero and J. Allison, Ed.), p.113-128, 1997.
  2. Sharing the Sky: A Parent's and Teacher's Guide to Astronomy, D. H. Levy, L. A. Lebofsky, and N. R. Lebofsky, Plenum, 1997.

Recent Articles in Refereed Journals

Science:
70. The Saturnian Satellites in the Near-Infrared: Absolute Photometry at Ring Plane Crossing, T. W. Momary, K. H. Baines, P. A. Yanamandra-Fisher, L. A. Lebofsky, W. Golisch, and C. Kaminski, Icarus, 148, 397-406, 2000.
71. The Nature of M-Class Asteroids from 3-Micron Spectroscopy, A. S. Rivkin, E. S. Howell, D. T. Britt. B. E. Clark, and L. A. Lebofsky, Icarus, 145, 351-368, 2000.
72. Analysis of the First Disk-Resolved Images of Ceres from Ultraviolet Observations with the Hubble Space Telescope, J. Wm. Parker, S. A. Stern, P. C. Thomas, M. C. Festou, W. J. Merline, E. F. Young, R. P. Binzel, and L. A. Lebofsky, The Astronomical Journal, 123, 549-557, 2002.

Education:

  1. Water on Asteroids, L. A. Lebofsky and N. R. Lebofsky, The Spectrum, 1991.
  2. Celestial Storytelling, N. R. Lebofsky and L A. Lebofsky, Science Scope,20, 18-21, 1996.
  3. Mars Exploration Vehicles, T. Canizo, L. A. Lebofsky, and N. R. Lebofsky. Science Scope, 20, 16-19, 1997.
  4. Measuring the Surface of Mars. L. A. Lebofsky and N. R. Lebofsky. Science Scope, 22, 33-35, 1998.
  5. Constructing Olympus Mons in Your Classroom, N. R. Lebofsky and L. A. Lebofsky, Science Scope, 26, 36-39, 2002.

Recent Articles in Refereed Conference Proceedings

Project ARTIST and Project ACCESS! Integrating Astronomy and Planetary Sciences into the Elementary and Middle School Curriculum, L. A. Lebofsky, T. Canizo, and N. R. Lebofsky, In Astronomy Education: Current Developments, Future Coordination, (J. R. Percy, Ed.), Astro. Society of the Pacific Conference Series Vol. 89, 235-236, 1997.

Recent Abstracts

Science:

131. Analysis of the First Disk-Resolved Images of Ceres from Ultraviolet Observations with the Hubble Space Telescope, J. Wm. Parker, S. A. Stern, P. C. Thomas, M. C. Festou, W. J. Merline, E. F. Young, R. P. Binzel, and L. A. Lebofsky, BAAS 33, 1118, 2001.

Education:
13. Observing the Night Sky - Observing Logs as Guided Inquiry, L. A. Lebofsky and N. R. Lebofsky. BAAS, 32, 1037, 2000.
14. MARS: Mars Activities and Resources for Students, L. A. Lebofsky and N. R. Lebofsky. BAAS, 33, 1174, 2001.
15. Using Science Fiction in the Classroom, L. A. Lebofsky and N. R. Lebofsky. BAAS, 34, 661, 2002.
16. Using Science Fiction in the Classroom, L. A. Lebofsky and N. R. Lebofsky. BAAS, 34, 894, 2002.
17. NIRCam/NGST Education and Public Outreach: "Linking Girls with the Sky," D. W. McCarthy, L. A. Lebofsky, T. F. Slater, M. J. Rieke, and S. M. Pompea. BAAS, 34, 896, 2002.
18. The Search for Life in the Universe: The Past Through the Future. L. A. Lebofsky, A. Lebofsky, M. Lebofsky, and N. R. Lebofsky, BAAS 35, 711, 2003. AAS Meeting.
19. The Search for Life in the Universe: The Past Through the Future. L. A. Lebofsky, A. Lebofsky, M. Lebofsky, and N. R. Lebofsky, BAAS 35, 1005, 2003. DPS Meeting.
20. Science Illiteracy: Breaking the Cycle. L. A. Lebofsky and N. R. Lebofsky, BAAS 35, 2004. AAS Meeting.

 

Last modified: October 22, 2008.