Will Oldroyd

Will Oldroyd is a Researcher in the Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science at Northern Arizona University and a Research Fellow at Katalyst Space Technologies, focusing on orbital dynamics for solar system objects and Earth-orbiting satellites.

He holds a PhD in Astronomy and Planetary Science from Northern Arizona University, with a dissertation on gravitational modeling for planet location constraints. His undergraduate degree in Physics and Astronomy is from Brigham Young University, complemented by minors in Mathematics, Geology, and Spanish.

Oldroyd's research centers on solar system dynamics, including Extreme Trans-Neptunian Objects and the hypothesized Planet X, active asteroids through the NASA Partner Citizen Science project Active Asteroids, and contributions to the DART asteroid deflection mission. He also advances exoplanet orbital characterization techniques and develops satellite tracking systems for space situational awareness.

He leads significant involvement in the Active Asteroids citizen science initiative, which has engaged thousands of volunteers in analyzing telescope images and yielded over 20 discoveries of active asteroids. Additional projects include the DECam Ecliptic Exploration Project for trans-Neptunian object discovery and preparations for the Vera C. Rubin Observatory.

Oldroyd actively mentors students and conducts public outreach through teaching and citizen science initiatives, though no formal graduate students are documented. His work with the DART mission team on James Webb Space Telescope observations of asteroid impacts represents cutting-edge planetary defense research.