Alan Fitzsimmons

Professor Alan Fitzsimmons is a leading astrophysicist at Queen's University Belfast's School of Mathematics and Physics, affiliated with the Astrophysics Research Centre. His research focuses on icy comets and near-Earth asteroids, using large telescopes worldwide to study their physical characteristics and origins. He has led studies on historic events like the Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 impact on Jupiter and the first observed interstellar object 'Oumuamua.

• Member of European Space Agency (ESA) and European Research Council (ERC) teams evaluating asteroid threats
• Recipient of prestigious awards including the Royal Astronomical Society George Darwin Lecturer (2022)
• Active in public engagement through media appearances and asteroid-related outreach

His research interests span asteroid/comet physical properties, planetary defense, and emerging space mining technologies. Recent work includes studies on interstellar objects and the DART asteroid deflection mission.