Thayne Currie

Thayne Currie is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), within the College of Sciences. He is also an astrophysicist at the Subaru Telescope, where he conducts cutting-edge research in high-contrast imaging and exoplanet detection. His work bridges observational astrophysics and advanced instrumentation.

Research Interests:

• Direct imaging of extrasolar planets
• Planet formation and protoplanetary disks
• Adaptive optics and high-contrast imaging systems
• Exoplanet instrumentation and data analysis
• Use of Gaia and Hipparcos astrometry for planet discovery

His recent work has pioneered a new method combining direct imaging with astrometric data to discover and weigh exoplanets, exemplified by the discovery of HIP 99770 b—the first joint direct imaging and astrometric discovery of an exoplanet. He has also contributed to the detection of the protoplanet AB Aur b, offering insights into early-stage giant planet formation via disk instability.

Scientific Contributions and Trends: His publications reflect a strong focus on both discovery science and instrumental innovation. The integration of data from SCExAO/CHARIS, Keck, Hubble, and Gaia highlights a multidisciplinary approach. His research is advancing the path toward imaging Earth-like exoplanets using future space and ground-based telescopes.

• Scientific Awards and Recognition:

While formal awards are not listed, his work has been published in top-tier journals including Science and Nature Astronomy, and featured in press releases from Subaru, ESA, Keck, and UTSA, indicating significant recognition in the astronomical community.

Advising and Grants: Although no students are named, as an associate professor and active researcher, he likely mentors graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. His work is supported by access to major observatories (Subaru, Keck, Hubble) and likely funded by grants from agencies such as NASA and the NSF, given the scale and scope of his instrumentation and observational programs.

Labs and Research Teams: He leads research efforts involving the Subaru Coronagraphic Extreme Adaptive Optics (SCExAO) system and the CHARIS integral field spectrograph. He collaborates with international teams using data from Gaia, Hubble, and Keck, contributing to large consortia in exoplanet science.