Franck Marchis
Encyclopedia
Franck Marchis astronomer
and planetary scientist
, is best known for his discovery and characterization of multiple asteroids and its study of Io
volcanism.
The asteroid 6639 Marchis
was named in his honor on April 4, 2007.
. He is currently an assistant research Astronomer at University of California at Berkeley and a Principal Investigator at the SETI Institute
. He received his Ph.D. in 2000 from university of Toulouse, France in planetary science. Although his thesis was performed while living in several places: Mexico, France, Great-Britain; the main part of his studies were made while working at La Silla observatory in Chile for the European Southern Observatory
, an intergovernmental organization aiming to develop astronomy in the southern hemisphere. He participated in the development of observations with the first adaptive optics
system available to a large community (called ADONIS
on the 3.6m telescope). He moved to California shortly after receiving his Ph.D. in November 2000 through a postdoctoral position at UC Berkeley.
Since then he dedicates most of his activity monitoring Io's volcanism with the Keck
-10m telescope and the support of CfAO, an NSF science and technology center. In 2003, he was hired as an assistant researcher to conduct his research more independently and expanded it to a broader field, but still based on high angular resolution capabilities. In 2007, he was appointed as a Planetary Scientist at the Carl Sagan Center of the SETI Institute where he expanded his research on multiple asteroids using space-telescope facilities (HST, Spitzer telescope)and participating to development of space mission concepts to explore these new worlds.
He has also taught on several occasions "The Planets" class at UC-Berkeley (Astro 12). He is associate astronomer at Observatoire de Paris, IMCCE. (ref [1])
from groundbased telescope to survey hundreds of main belt asteroids and Trojans.
Together with his team, they announced the discovery of the first triple asteroid system in August 2005 (87 Sylvia
), and the first measurement of a Trojan bulk-density in February 2006 (617 Patroclus
). Both discoveries were published in Nature journal (ref [2], [3])
In July 2006, Marchis and his team announced the discovery of a moonlet companion around 624 Hektor
using the Keck Laser guide star
AO system (ref [4]). This is the first multiple system in the L4 swarm and the first moonlet companion in the Trojan discovered.
The second triple system orbiting in the main-belt was discovered by the same team and announced in March 2007. Subsequent analysis of VLT-NACO images taken in Jan. 2004 revealed the presence of a second 6-km size moonlet orbiting around (45) Eugenia
. Since 1999, this system was known to have a large moonlet, called Petit-Prince
(~15 km) orbiting at 1200 km. ref[6]
systems, F. Marchis and his team monitor and study the exotic volcanism of Io
, Galilean satellite of Jupiter
.
In February 2001, they witnessed the most energetic eruption ever seen on the solar system. Surt volcano, located on the north hemisphere of Io, was then starting an extremely active eruption. The observed energy indicates the presence of a vigorous, high-temperature volcanic eruption. The kind of eruption to produce this thermal signature has incandescent fire fountains of molten lava which are kilometers high, propelled at great speed out of the ground by expanding gases, accompanied by extensive lava flows on the surface. The Surt eruption appears to cover an area of 1,900 square kilometers, which is larger than the city of Los Angeles and even larger than the entire city of London [5].
, Multiple Asteroids
Astronomer
An astronomer is a scientist who studies celestial bodies such as planets, stars and galaxies.Historically, astronomy was more concerned with the classification and description of phenomena in the sky, while astrophysics attempted to explain these phenomena and the differences between them using...
and planetary scientist
Planetary science
Planetary science is the scientific study of planets , moons, and planetary systems, in particular those of the Solar System and the processes that form them. It studies objects ranging in size from micrometeoroids to gas giants, aiming to determine their composition, dynamics, formation,...
, is best known for his discovery and characterization of multiple asteroids and its study of Io
IO
Io, IO, I/O, i/o, or i.o. may refer to:-An abbreviation:* I.O., a theater in Chicago, Illinois dedicated to improvisational comedy* i.o., "in illo ordine", Latin phrase meaning "respectively"...
volcanism.
The asteroid 6639 Marchis
6639 Marchis
6639 Marchis is a main-belt asteroid discovered on September 25, 1989 by H. Debehogne at La Silla.- External links :...
was named in his honor on April 4, 2007.
Background
Marchis was born in FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. He is currently an assistant research Astronomer at University of California at Berkeley and a Principal Investigator at the SETI Institute
SETI Institute
The SETI Institute is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to “explore, understand and explain the origin, nature and prevalence of life in the universe”. SETI stands for the "search for extraterrestrial intelligence". One program is the use of both radio and optical telescopes to search...
. He received his Ph.D. in 2000 from university of Toulouse, France in planetary science. Although his thesis was performed while living in several places: Mexico, France, Great-Britain; the main part of his studies were made while working at La Silla observatory in Chile for the European Southern Observatory
European Southern Observatory
The European Southern Observatory is an intergovernmental research organisation for astronomy, supported by fifteen countries...
, an intergovernmental organization aiming to develop astronomy in the southern hemisphere. He participated in the development of observations with the first adaptive optics
Adaptive optics
Adaptive optics is a technology used to improve the performance of optical systems by reducing the effect of wavefront distortions. It is used in astronomical telescopes and laser communication systems to remove the effects of atmospheric distortion, and in retinal imaging systems to reduce the...
system available to a large community (called ADONIS
Adonis
Adonis , in Greek mythology, the god of beauty and desire, is a figure with Northwest Semitic antecedents, where he is a central figure in various mystery religions. The Greek , Adōnis is a variation of the Semitic word Adonai, "lord", which is also one of the names used to refer to God in the Old...
on the 3.6m telescope). He moved to California shortly after receiving his Ph.D. in November 2000 through a postdoctoral position at UC Berkeley.
Since then he dedicates most of his activity monitoring Io's volcanism with the Keck
Keck telescopes
The W. M. Keck Observatory is a two-telescope astronomical observatory at an elevation of near the summit of Mauna Kea in Hawai'i. The primary mirrors of each of the two telescopes are in diameter, making them the second largest optical telescopes in the world, slightly behind the Gran Telescopio...
-10m telescope and the support of CfAO, an NSF science and technology center. In 2003, he was hired as an assistant researcher to conduct his research more independently and expanded it to a broader field, but still based on high angular resolution capabilities. In 2007, he was appointed as a Planetary Scientist at the Carl Sagan Center of the SETI Institute where he expanded his research on multiple asteroids using space-telescope facilities (HST, Spitzer telescope)and participating to development of space mission concepts to explore these new worlds.
He has also taught on several occasions "The Planets" class at UC-Berkeley (Astro 12). He is associate astronomer at Observatoire de Paris, IMCCE. (ref [1])
Discovery of companions of asteroids
Marchis exploited the high-resolution capabilities offered by adaptive opticsAdaptive optics
Adaptive optics is a technology used to improve the performance of optical systems by reducing the effect of wavefront distortions. It is used in astronomical telescopes and laser communication systems to remove the effects of atmospheric distortion, and in retinal imaging systems to reduce the...
from groundbased telescope to survey hundreds of main belt asteroids and Trojans.
Together with his team, they announced the discovery of the first triple asteroid system in August 2005 (87 Sylvia
87 Sylvia
87 Sylvia is one of the largest main-belt asteroids. It is a member of the Cybele group located beyond the core of the belt . Sylvia is remarkable for being the first asteroid known to possess more than one moon....
), and the first measurement of a Trojan bulk-density in February 2006 (617 Patroclus
617 Patroclus
617 Patroclus is a binary minor planet made up of two similarly-sized objects orbiting their common centre of gravity. It is a Trojan asteroid, sharing an orbit with Jupiter. It was discovered in 1906 by August Kopff, and was the second trojan to be discovered...
). Both discoveries were published in Nature journal (ref [2], [3])
In July 2006, Marchis and his team announced the discovery of a moonlet companion around 624 Hektor
624 Hektor
624 Hektor is the largest Jupiter Trojan. It was discovered in 1907 by August Kopff.Hektor is a D-type asteroid, dark and reddish in colour. It lies in Jupiter's leading Lagrangian point, , called the 'Greek' node after one of the two sides in the legendary Trojan War...
using the Keck Laser guide star
Laser guide star
Laser guide stars are a form of artificial star created for use in astronomical adaptive optics imaging.Adaptive optics systems require a wavefront reference source in order to correct atmospheric distortion of light...
AO system (ref [4]). This is the first multiple system in the L4 swarm and the first moonlet companion in the Trojan discovered.
The second triple system orbiting in the main-belt was discovered by the same team and announced in March 2007. Subsequent analysis of VLT-NACO images taken in Jan. 2004 revealed the presence of a second 6-km size moonlet orbiting around (45) Eugenia
Eugenia
Eugenia is a genus of flowering plants in the myrtle family Myrtaceae. It has a worldwide, although highly uneven, distribution in tropical and subtropical regions. The bulk of the approximately 1,000 species occur in the New World tropics, especially in the northern Andes, the Caribbean, and the...
. Since 1999, this system was known to have a large moonlet, called Petit-Prince
Petit-Prince (moon)
Eugenia I Petit-Prince is the larger, outer moon of asteroid 45 Eugenia. It was discovered in 1998 by astronomers at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii. Initially, it received the provisional designation S/1998 1. Petit-Prince was the first asteroid moon to be discovered...
(~15 km) orbiting at 1200 km. ref[6]
| satellite name, system name | date of discovery | technique |
| S/2008 (216) 2 (216 Kleopatra 216 Kleopatra 216 Kleopatra is a trinary main-belt asteroid that was discovered by Johann Palisa on April 10, 1880, in Pola. It is named after Cleopatra, Queen of Ancient Egypt.... II) |
September 24, 2008 | Keck AO |
| S/2008 (216) 1 (216 Kleopatra 216 Kleopatra 216 Kleopatra is a trinary main-belt asteroid that was discovered by Johann Palisa on April 10, 1880, in Pola. It is named after Cleopatra, Queen of Ancient Egypt.... I) |
September 24, 2008 | Keck AO |
| S/2008 (160091 2000 OL67) 1 | February 19, 2008 | HST |
| S/2008 (119067 2001 KP76) 1 | February 19, 2008 | HST |
| S/2007 (3749) 1 (3749 Balam 3749 Balam 3749 Balam is an asteroid orbiting the Sun. It is named after the Canadian astronomer David D. Balam.- Satellite system :A satellite, designated S/2002 1, was discovered by William J. Merline, Laird M. Close, Nick Siegler, Christophe Dumas, Clark R. Chapman, François J. Rigaut, François Ménard,... II) |
March 19, 2008 | Lightcurve |
| Petit-Prince Petit-Prince (moon) Eugenia I Petit-Prince is the larger, outer moon of asteroid 45 Eugenia. It was discovered in 1998 by astronomers at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii. Initially, it received the provisional designation S/1998 1. Petit-Prince was the first asteroid moon to be discovered... (45 Eugenia 45 Eugenia 45 Eugenia is a large main-belt asteroid. It is famed as one of the first asteroids to be found to have a moon orbiting it. It is also the second known triple asteroid, after 87 Sylvia.- Discovery :... II) |
March 7, 2007 | VLT AO |
| S/2006 (624)1 (624 Hektor 624 Hektor 624 Hektor is the largest Jupiter Trojan. It was discovered in 1907 by August Kopff.Hektor is a D-type asteroid, dark and reddish in colour. It lies in Jupiter's leading Lagrangian point, , called the 'Greek' node after one of the two sides in the legendary Trojan War... I) |
July 21, 2006 | Keck AO |
| Remus Remus (moon) Remus is the inner and smaller moon of the main-belt asteroid 87 Sylvia. It follows an almost-circular close-to-equatorial orbit around the parent asteroid. In this respect it is similar to the other moon Romulus.... (87 Sylvia 87 Sylvia 87 Sylvia is one of the largest main-belt asteroids. It is a member of the Cybele group located beyond the core of the belt . Sylvia is remarkable for being the first asteroid known to possess more than one moon.... II) |
August 15, 2005 | VLT AO |
Volcanic activity of Io
Using high imaging capability available on ground-based telescopes equipped with adaptive opticsAdaptive optics
Adaptive optics is a technology used to improve the performance of optical systems by reducing the effect of wavefront distortions. It is used in astronomical telescopes and laser communication systems to remove the effects of atmospheric distortion, and in retinal imaging systems to reduce the...
systems, F. Marchis and his team monitor and study the exotic volcanism of Io
Io (moon)
Io ) is the innermost of the four Galilean moons of the planet Jupiter and, with a diameter of , the fourth-largest moon in the Solar System. It was named after the mythological character of Io, a priestess of Hera who became one of the lovers of Zeus....
, Galilean satellite of Jupiter
Jupiter
Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun and the largest planet within the Solar System. It is a gas giant with mass one-thousandth that of the Sun but is two and a half times the mass of all the other planets in our Solar System combined. Jupiter is classified as a gas giant along with Saturn,...
.
In February 2001, they witnessed the most energetic eruption ever seen on the solar system. Surt volcano, located on the north hemisphere of Io, was then starting an extremely active eruption. The observed energy indicates the presence of a vigorous, high-temperature volcanic eruption. The kind of eruption to produce this thermal signature has incandescent fire fountains of molten lava which are kilometers high, propelled at great speed out of the ground by expanding gases, accompanied by extensive lava flows on the surface. The Surt eruption appears to cover an area of 1,900 square kilometers, which is larger than the city of Los Angeles and even larger than the entire city of London [5].
External links
- Franck Marchis' homepage
- Rubble-Pile Minor Planet Sylvia and Her Twins ESO PR
- First triple asteroid system found, UC-Berkeley, PR
- Binary asteroid in Jupiter's orbit may be icy comet from solar system's infancy, UC-Berkeley PR
- Unique Triple Asteroid System Discovered, Scientific American
- Solar system's first triple asteroid system found, NewScientist
- Scientists discover asteroid with moons Tiny planetary system orbiting between Mars and Jupiter, San Francisco Chronicle, Aug. 11 2005
, Multiple Asteroids