Dr. Vishnu Reddy

Ph.D. 2009 Earth System Science and Policy, University of North Dakota
M.S. 2005 Space Studies, University of North Dakota
M.A. 2002 Journalism, Annamalai University, India
B.Sc. 1998 Visual Communication, Bharathiar University, India

Vishnu joined the UND Space Studies department as a research assistant professor in January 2010. Prior to that, he was a graduate student in the departments of Earth System Science and Policy (2006-2009) and Space Studies (2003-2005) at UND. Vishnu worked as a research staff in the Space Studies department in 2006. He is also a visiting scientist at the prestigious Max-Planck Institute for Solar System Research, Germany, where he spends his summers.

As research faculty, Vishnu focuses on the study of asteroids to better understand the formation and evolution of our Solar System. The primary research technique used for this work is near-IR reflectance spectroscopy of asteroids. For this, Vishnu uses the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility on Mauna Kea, Hawai'i, where he is a visiting astronomer. He is responsible for producing the first compositional map of asteroid Vesta's southern hemisphere, studying the source region the K/T impactor in the asteroid belt that killed the dinosaurs 65 million years ago, and composition and albedos of dozens of near-Earth asteroids that threaten the Earth. Vishnu has also developed several laboratory-based spectral calibrations for interpreting asteroid spectra.

Apart from spectroscopy, Vishnu also is involved in rotational studies of asteroids using small remote telescopes that he operates with his cell phone. He has discovered or co-discovered six binary asteroid systems both in the main asteroid belt and the near-earth asteroid populations. Vishnu is credited with the discovery of 23 main belt asteroids one of which has been named “North Dakota” in honor of the state. He is also credited with the co-discovery of supernova 2006E in NGC 5338.

Vishnu has been involved in numerous planetary spacecraft missions and mission concepts providing ground support for both science and optical navigation operations. He was the science lead for the PANIC asteroid lander concept study at the NASA Ames Research Center as part of the Small Spacecraft Summer Study Project. Vishnu is currently working with the DAWN Framing Camera team at Max-Planck Institute to develop photometric calibration curves for asteroid Vesta. The DAWN is a NASA mission to the largest asteroids Vesta and Ceres. Vishnu is also conducting mineralogical characterization of potential targets for the German ASTEX spacecraft mission proposal to two near-Earth asteroids.

Vishnu has authored or coauthored several peer-reviewed publications and nearly 40 abstracts for professional meetings. He has also the recipient of Geological Society of America's Gene Shoemaker Impact Crater award. When time permits, Vishnu enjoys his time on his innumerable hobbies including snorkeling, scuba diving, and designing telescopes and optics. He is also an accomplished photographer, artist and plays four wind instruments. Vishnu hopes to go back to school someday get a second doctorate in marine biology.

Vishnu blogs regularly about his astronomy research at blog.vishnureddy.net