Steve Ertel

Steve Ertel is a Researcher at Steward Observatory, University of Arizona, and the lead scientist of the Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer (LBTI). His work focuses on advancing astronomical instrumentation, particularly adaptive optics and precision optical interferometry, to enable high-angular resolution observations. Scientifically, he specializes in exoplanet research, studying habitable zones, and characterizing planetary systems and circumstellar environments. His team's discovery regarding exozodiacal dust's impact on exoplanet imaging influenced NASA's 2020 Decadal Survey and flagship mission planning.

• Affiliation: Steward Observatory, University of Arizona
• Instrumentation Projects: LBTI, adaptive optics

Research interests include:

• Direct detection of habitable exoplanets
• Exozodiacal dust analysis
• Stellar evolution and planetary system formation

Dr. Ertel aims to pioneer ground-based imaging of Earth-like exoplanets and leverage dust observations to prioritize target systems for future missions.