Heather A. Knutson

Heather A. Knutson is Professor of Planetary Science at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and serves as Divisional Academic Officer for the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences.

Education

• PhD (2009): 'Portraits of Distant Worlds: Characterizing the Atmospheres of Extrasolar Planets'

Research Focus

Dr. Knutson leads observational studies of exoplanetary systems using space- and ground-based telescopes. Her work centers on:

• Atmospheric Characterization: Measuring compositions, temperature profiles, and climate dynamics of exoplanet atmospheres through eclipse observations
• Gas Giant Systems: Investigating prevalence of Jupiter analogues and their influence on inner planetary architectures
• Atmospheric Evolution: Studying mass loss mechanisms in close-in planets subjected to intense stellar irradiation
• Habitability Assessment: Evaluating conditions for potential life on terrestrial exoplanets

Her research integrates multi-wavelength observations to reconstruct planetary formation histories and evolutionary pathways.