Timothy Titus is a Space Scientist at Astrogeology Science Center.
1999 - Present
Space Scientist - U.S. Geological Survey, Flagstaff AZ. Research: Spectral analysis of Martian polar regions using data from MGS TES, Mars Odyssey THEMIS, and MRO CRISM. Thermal surface properties of 4 Vesta.
Oct 2010 - Jan 2011
Acting Science Center Director - U.S. Geological Survey, Flagstaff AZ.
1997 - 1999
Remote Sensing Analyst - Contracted with the U.S. Geological Survey, Flagstaff, AZ, and Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, TN. Research: Spectral analysis of Martian polar regions using data from MGS TES.
1996 - 1997
Staff Lecturer - University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY. Research: Multivariate analysis of galaxy spectra.
Education
Civilian Education
- Ph.D.,Astrophysics, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, 1996
- M.S., Astrophysics, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 1988
- B.A., Physics/Mathematics, Drake University, Des Moines, IA, 1985
Military Education
- Engineer Officer Basic Course (1988)
- Artillery Officer Advance Course (1992)
- Combined Arms Service and Staff School (1995)
- Command General Staff College (2000)
- Quartermaster Officer Advance Course (2003)
Research
- Mars Polar Processes: Specifically - the CO2 cycle and polar energy balance.
- Mars Thermal Inertia Studies: Specifically - the use of 2-layer thermal inertia models to detect sub-surface ice.
- Mars Aeolian Studies: Specially - the global inventory and characterization of Mars dunes.
- Cave Detection using the Thermal Infrared Remote Sensing: Specifically - using ground truth thermal characterization of terrestrial caves to develope techniques and procedures for detecting caves on Earth, the Moon, and Mars.
Missions
- Co-Investigator on Mars Odyssey THermal EMission Imaging System (THEMIS).
- Co-Investigator on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM).
- Selected as a Dawn at Vesta Participating Scientist.
Service
Military Service
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Timothy N. Titus
Last Position prior to Retirement
Chief of Logistics
Camp Navajo
Arizona National Guard
Bellemont, AZ
Civil Service
- Participating Scientist on DAWN at Vesta
- Extensive experience analyzing Mars Odyssey (ODY) THermal Emission IMaging System (THEMIS) data
- Extensive experience extracting and analyzing Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) data
- Extensive knowledge of several programming languages, including IDL
- Writes and maintains a GUI software package that enhances the analysis of TES spectral data
- Extensive knowledge of multivariate analysis techniques, especially Principal Components Analysis (PCA)
Bibliography
- Cornwall, C.; Titus, T. N., 2010, A comparison of Martian north and south polar cold spots and the long-term effects of the 2001 global dust storm, J. Geophys. Res., Volume 115, Issue E6, CiteID E06011.
- Cull, S.; Arvidson, R.E.; Mellon, M.; Wiseman, S.; Clark, R.; Titus, T.N.; Morris, R.V.; McGuire, P.2010, Seasonal H2O and CO2 ice cycles at the Mars Phoenix l
Science and Products
Planetary Defense
Surface - Atmosphere interaction
Planetary Volatiles: Snow and Ice
Caves
Sediment budget data for Lees Ferry dune field, February-May 2019
Imagery, soil temperature and humidity profiles, and meteorological data from December 2020 to April 2021, Grand Falls Dune Field, Arizona
Oblique Thermal Imaging of the Pisgah Lava Field, California Acquired March 2010
Grand Falls, Arizona: Dune Field Sand Transport 2013 - 2016
Apophis specific action team report
Planetary caves: A Solar System view of processes and products
It’s time for focused in situ studies of planetary surface-atmosphere interactions
Can we accurately estimate sediment budgets on Mars?
Fundamental science and engineering questions in planetary cave exploration
Planetary Aeolian landforms: An introduction to the Fifth Planetary Dunes Workshop Special Issue
Using near–surface temperature data to vicariously calibrate high-resolution thermal infrared imagery and estimate physical surface properties
Planetary dunes tell of otherworldly winds
Past, present, and future of Mars Polar Science: Outcomes and outlook from the 7th International Conference on Mars Polar Science and Exploration
Advancing cave detection using terrain analysis and thermal imagery
A roadmap for planetary caves science and exploration
Aeolian processes and landforms across the Solar System: Science and technology requirements for the next decade
Science and Products
- Science
Planetary Defense
At the USGS Astrogeology Science Center we conduct research on Planetary Defense. Planetary Defense involves predicting potential impactors (asteroids, comets), and studying how to deflect or divert them, as well as the potential effects of an impact. Effects include short-term effects such as blast damage, but also long-term effects such as climate.Surface - Atmosphere interaction
The USGS Astrogeology Science Center conducts research on the interaction between planetary surfaces and the overlying atmospheres. In particular, the transfer of momentum (from wind), vapor (evaporation/sublimation), liquid (rainfall, percolation, infiltration) and solids (snow) occurs between surfaces and atmospheres.Planetary Volatiles: Snow and Ice
The USGS Astrogeology Science Center conducts research on planetary volatiles. Volatiles include substances that have a high vapor pressure relative to the ambient atmosphere. We study the longevity, locations and other characteristics of volatiles. More specifically: H2O ice, snow and frost are volatiles on the Earth. We study the persistence of perennial snowfields in Colorado and Mongolia. Mars...Caves
The USGS Astrogeology Science Center conducts research on caves. In particular, we are interested in the physics of caves, which involves the application of the principles of heat transfer, mass transfer and meteorology to understand how cave climates evolve. We are also interested in caves on other planetary bodies and moons, and how they may be used as resources for future missions. - Data
Sediment budget data for Lees Ferry dune field, February-May 2019
These data were compiled to enable estimation of aeolian dune field sediment budgets calculated using remote sensing methods. The objective of the study was to evaluate sediment budgets calculated for the Lees Ferry dune field in Grand Canyon, Earth as a terrestrial analog for aeolian dune fields in Valles Marineris, Mars. These data represent digital elevation models (DEM) of the topography of thImagery, soil temperature and humidity profiles, and meteorological data from December 2020 to April 2021, Grand Falls Dune Field, Arizona
Grand Falls dune field (GFDF) is located on the Navajo Nation, ~70 km NE of Flagstaff, AZ. This active dune field displays a range of morphologies, including barchans, smaller dunes, and ripples, and is bimodal in composition. The felsic component is likely derived from the Little Colorado River, and the mafic component (basaltic grains) is locally sourced from nearby cinder cones [1]. GFDF is anOblique Thermal Imaging of the Pisgah Lava Field, California Acquired March 2010
As part of a NASA-funded study of diurnal thermal imaging at a Mars analog site, we conducted simultaneous oblique thermal imaging and in situ temperature measurements within two regions of interest on the Pisgah lava field, near Ludlow, California. Both regions of interest contained either cave or cave-like alcoves. Data released in this report was collected from 03/23/2010 to 03/25/2010. The expGrand Falls, Arizona: Dune Field Sand Transport 2013 - 2016
As part of a NASA-funded study of sediment flux rates at a Mars analog site, we installed a suite of instruments in a small dune field near Grand Falls, Arizona. Data released in this report were collected from 10/28/2013 to 11/04/2016. The Grand Falls (GF) dune field is located on the Navajo Nation. It lies ~70 km NE of Flagstaff, AZ, 2 km east of Grand Falls, and just north of the Little Colorad - Publications
Filter Total Items: 84
Apophis specific action team report
This report about Asteroid (99942) Apophis's Earth close approach on April 13, 2029 was generated by a Specific Action Team (SAT) formed by the Small Body Assessment Group (SBAG) at the request of NASAs Planetary Science Division (PSD). The SAT assessed the current predictions for the effects that may occur due to the close encounter, evaluated observing capabilities, and identified possible invesPlanetary caves: A Solar System view of processes and products
We provide the first solar system wide compendium of speleogenic processes and products. An examination of 15 solar system bodies revealed that six cave-forming processes occur beyond Earth including volcanic (cryo and magmatic), fracturing (tectonic and impact melt), dissolution, sublimation, suffusion, and landslides. Although no caves (i.e., confirmed entrances with associated linear passages)It’s time for focused in situ studies of planetary surface-atmosphere interactions
A critical gap in planetary observations has been in situ characterization of extra-terrestrial, present-day atmospheric and surface environments and activity. While some surface activity has been observed and some in situ meteorological measurements have been collected by auxiliary instruments on Mars, existing information is insufficient to conclusively characterize the natural processes via conCan we accurately estimate sediment budgets on Mars?
Sediment budgets are fundamentally important for planetary science. However, only one primary method, based on remote sensing, is currently available for determining extraterrestrial sediment budgets. For determining sediment budgets on Earth, both in-situ and remote sensing methods are available. Despite the widespread use of the two methods, there has been surprisingly little research on how welFundamental science and engineering questions in planetary cave exploration
Nearly half a century ago, two papers postulated the likelihood of lunar lava tube caves using mathematical models. Today, armed with an array of orbiting and fly-by satellites and survey instrumentation, we have now acquired cave data across our solar system—including the identification of potential cave entrances on the Moon, Mars, and at least six other planetary bodies. These discoveries gavePlanetary Aeolian landforms: An introduction to the Fifth Planetary Dunes Workshop Special Issue
Aeolian landforms are widespread in our solar system. Understanding the exact nature and processes of formation of these features are challenging tasks necessitating a strong collaboration between scientists with different skills and scientific backgrounds. This paper describes the special issue for the 5th International Planetary Dunes Workshop, which includes 15 research papers and three commentUsing near–surface temperature data to vicariously calibrate high-resolution thermal infrared imagery and estimate physical surface properties
Thermal response of the surface to solar insolation is a function of the topography and the thermal physical characteristics of the landscape, which include bulk density, heat capacity, thermal conductivity and surface albedo and emissivity. Thermal imaging is routinely used to constrain thermal physical properties by characterizing or modeling changes in the diurnal temperature profiles. Images nPlanetary dunes tell of otherworldly winds
Dune fields are common on beaches and in deserts—think of the imposing sand hills and sinuous ripples of the Sahara in Africa or the Karakum in Central Asia, for example—as well as underwater on the beds of rivers, lakes, and oceans. The varied shapes, sizes, and orientations of both modern dunes and those preserved in the geologic record tell of the conditions under which they formed, particularlPast, present, and future of Mars Polar Science: Outcomes and outlook from the 7th International Conference on Mars Polar Science and Exploration
Mars Polar Science is a subfield of Mars science that encompasses all studies of the cryosphere of Mars and its interaction with the Martian environment. Every 4 yr, the community of scientists dedicated to this subfield meets to discuss new findings and debate open issues in the International Conference on Mars Polar Science and Exploration (ICMPSE). This paper summarizes the proceedings of the sAdvancing cave detection using terrain analysis and thermal imagery
Since the initial experiments nearly 50 years ago, techniques for detecting caves using airborne and spacecraft acquired thermal imagery have improved markedly. These advances are largely due to a combination of higher instrument sensitivity, modern computing systems, and processor-intensive analytical techniques. Through applying these advancements, our goals were to: (1) Determine the efficacy oA roadmap for planetary caves science and exploration
While researchers have pondered the possibility of extraterrestrial caves for more than 50 years, we have now entered the incipient phase of planetary caves exploration. Our knowledge of planetary caves varies from body to body. Earth represents the most advanced level of exploration, but many unanswered questions remain. Beyond Earth, identification of possible caves is most advanced for the MoonAeolian processes and landforms across the Solar System: Science and technology requirements for the next decade
Discussions of planetary atmospheric-surface interactions (including aeolian processes and phenomena and the resulting landforms) are often tied to a specific planetary body. Considering this, a series of workshops were initiated in 2008 to facilitate an interdisciplinary and interplanetary body approach to further our understanding of aeolian processes, phenomena, and landforms (Titus et al., 200