Luke Moore

Luke Moore is a Research Assistant Professor of Astronomy at Boston University's Department of Astronomy, with office CAS 402. His research focuses on planetary atmospheres and their interactions with the space environment, particularly the upper atmospheres of giant planets. He is affiliated with the Center for Space Physics at Boston University.

Moore earned his BS from the University of Arizona and completed his MA and Ph.D. at Boston University. His academic background has positioned him as a leading researcher in planetary atmospheric science, with expertise spanning observational techniques, computational modeling, and instrument development.

Moore's primary research interests include:

• Modeling and observations of planetary atmospheres, with emphasis on giant planets
• Upper atmospheric processes and their coupling with the space environment
• Development and application of computer models for tenuous plasmas in planetary upper atmospheres
• Ground-based and space-based observational techniques for planetary science
• H3+ ionosphere studies across multiple planets
• Ring-planet interactions, particularly Saturn's ring rain phenomenon

His extensive publication record demonstrates significant contributions to understanding planetary atmospheres throughout the solar system. Recent work shows a strong focus on Jupiter and Saturn using data from Juno and Cassini missions, with emerging research on Uranus and Neptune utilizing JWST observations. A key research trend involves the connection between ring systems and planetary atmospheres, as well as the role of auroral processes in heating upper atmospheres across the giant planets.

Moore is actively involved in instrument development as a key contributor to the Rapid Imaging Planetary Spectrograph (RIPS). This innovative instrument enables high-quality simultaneous spectra and images of extended objects through 'lucky imaging' techniques. RIPS has been successfully deployed at multiple observatories including the Perkins telescope in Flagstaff, Arizona and the 3.67m AEOS telescope, where it has been used to study Mercury's exosphere, the Moon, and Jupiter's moons. His instrument work represents an important bridge between theoretical modeling and observational planetary science.