Marc William Buie (; born September 17, 1958) is an American astronomer and prolific discoverer of minor planets who works at the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado in the Space Science Department. Formerly he worked at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, and was the Sentinel Space Telescope Mission Scientist for the B612 Foundation, which is dedicated to protecting Earth from asteroid impact events.
+ Minor planets discovered: 941 see
Early life and education Buie grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and received his B.Sc. in physics from Louisiana State University in 1980. He then switched fields and earned his Ph.D. in Planetary Science from the University of Arizona in 1984. Buie was a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Hawaiʻi from 1985 to 1988. From 1988 to 1991, he worked at the Space Telescope Science Institute where he played a key role in the planning and scheduling of the first planetary observations ever made by the Hubble Space Telescope. Buie joined the staff at Lowell Observatory in 1991.
Career
Since 1983, Pluto has been a central theme of research done by Buie, who as of 2014 has published over 85 scientific papers and journal articles.Bibliography of Marc W. Buie, Southwest Research Institute, 13 January 2014. His first result was to prove that the methane visible on Pluto was on its surface and not part of its atmosphere. Since then he has worked on albedo maps of the surface, composition maps of Pluto and Charon, refinement of the orbits of Charon in addition to the much more recently discovered satellites, measurements of the structure of the atmosphere, and other measurements of the properties of the surfaces of Pluto and Charon. He is also one of the co-discoverers of Pluto's moons, Nix and Hydra.
He has been working with the Deep Ecliptic Survey team who have been responsible for the discovery of over 1,000 Kuiper belt objects (KBOs). Beyond the work of just locating these objects, he additionally seeks to develop a better picture of the structure and nature of them. A spin-off project from this endeavor was his participation in the project to locate a Kuiper belt object that was within the range of NASA's New Horizons mission after it passed by Pluto. This search led to the discovery of over 50 new KBOs, including 486958 Arrokoth, the object that New Horizons would eventually perform a close fly-by of on 1 January 2019. In the lead up to the fly-by, Buie also led a successful occultation campaign in Argentina and South Africa to observe Arrokoth as it passed in front of a distant star to refine the estimates of its size, shape, and orbit. Jim Green, NASA's director of planetary science at the time, called the effort "the most historic occultation on the face of the Earth."
In addition to his research into all aspects of Pluto and the Kuiper belt, Buie also works on studying transitional objects like 2060 Chiron and 5145 Pholus and occasionally comets, such as the recent Deep impact mission that went to Comet Tempel 1. In an effort closer to home, he also studies near-Earth asteroids to try to understand more about these potentially dangerous solar system neighbors. Most of these research efforts involve the use of Lowell Observatory telescopes in addition to occasional use of the Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes. He is also active in the development of state-of-the-art astronomical instrumentation having just completed the construction of an infrared imaging spectrograph, Mimir, in collaboration with Dan Clemens of Boston University.
Buie is a member of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) and its Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS), the American Geophysical Union (AGU), the International Astronomical Union (IAU), and the International Dark-Sky Association.
The inner main-belt asteroid 7553 Buie was named in the astronomer's honor on 28 July 1999 (). He is also profiled as part of an article on Pluto in Air & Space Smithsonian magazine."Pluto's Portrait: Even The Mighty Hubble Has To Strain To See This Tiny, Distant Planet", Air & Space Smithsonian magazine, June/July 1996, Iss., page 60.
List of discovered minor planets
9116 Billhamilton 7 March 1997 11670 Fountain 6 January 1998 20234 Billgibson 6 January 1998 28513 Guo 5 February 2000 31203 Hersman 6 January 1998 32263 Kusnierkiewicz 31 July 2000 34077 Yoshiakifuse 30 July 2000 36444 Clairblackburn 1 August 2000 36983 Sumner 21 September 2000 18 April 1999 43574 Joyharjo 26 March 2001 56795 Amandagorman 31 July 2000 5 February 2000 5 February 2000 5 February 2000 29 July 2000 25 August 2000 24 March 2001 63363 Guengerich 25 March 2001 6 February 2002 65885 Lubenow 27 December 1997 25 March 2001 20 August 2001 8 February 2002 18 November 1998 19 November 1998 18 November 1998 18 November 1998 72801 Manzanera 25 March 2001 72802 Wetton 26 March 2001 78867 Isakowitz 23 August 2003 6 February 2000 81947 Fripp 31 July 2000 81948 Eno 31 July 2000 26 March 2001 26 March 2001 4 December 2002 31 July 2000 87933 Bernardschmitt 21 September 2000 22 May 2001 24 May 2001 22 May 2001 88270 Alanhoward 24 May 2001 22 October 1998 5 February 2000 92579 Dwight 31 July 2000 92892 Robertlawrence 25 August 2000 92894 Bluford 28 August 2000 95449 Frederickgregory 7 February 2002 8 April 2002 97508 Bolden 6 February 2000 97512 Jemison 5 February 2000 103733 Bernardharris 5 February 2000 103734 Winstonscott 5 February 2000 103737 Curbeam 5 February 2000 103738 Stephaniewilson 5 February 2000 103739 Higginbotham 6 February 2000 104698 Alvindrew 10 April 2000 105222 Oscarsaa 31 July 2000 108096 Melvin 25 March 2001 108097 Satcher 26 March 2001 114705 Tamayo 30 March 2003 115015 Chang Díaz 24 August 2003 116162 Sidneygutierrez 20 November 2003 117703 Ochoa 11 March 2005 117704 Lopez-Alegria 12 March 2005 31 July 2000 118768 Carlosnoriega 25 August 2000 118769 Olivas 28 August 2000 23 May 2001 23 May 2001 23 May 2001 23 May 2001 23 May 2001 19 October 2001 7 February 2002 119890 Zamka 6 February 2002 10 August 2002 7 November 2002 119993 Acabá 5 December 2002 24 October 2003 122554 Joséhernández 25 August 2000 122555 Auñón-Chancellor 28 August 2000 6 February 2002 8 February 2002 126965 Neri 18 March 2002 127030 Herrington 6 April 2002 4 December 2002 31 March 2003 128038 Jimadams 30 May 2003 129564 Christy 7 March 1997 132329 Tomandert 7 April 2002 132791 Jeremybauman 11 August 2002 133066 Beddingfield 30 March 2003 30 March 2003 29 July 2000 23 May 2001 21 August 2001 8 April 2002 1 June 2003 136197 Johnandrews 22 October 2003 136922 Brianbauer 19 April 1998 138016 Kerribeisser 6 February 2000 29 July 2000 138626 Tanguybertrand 28 August 2000 25 August 2000 19 August 2001 19 August 2001 20 August 2001 141995 Rossbeyer 12 August 2002 5 December 2002 5 December 2002 143750 Shyamkumar 23 October 2003 24 October 2003 22 February 2004 26 February 2004 144386 Emmabirath 27 February 2004 146040 Alicebowman 27 February 2000 146442 Dwaynebrown 20 August 2001 146921 Michaelbuckley 6 February 2002 4 December 2002 4 December 2002 147703 Madras 10 April 2005 147704 Gartenberg 11 April 2005 6 February 2000 148342 Carverbierson 27 August 2000 149113 Stewartbushman 6 February 2002 149115 Lauriecantillo 8 February 2002 149157 Stephencarr 20 March 2002 149163 Stevenconard 7 April 2002 7 November 2002 9 November 2002 24 August 2003 150046 Cynthiaconrad 1 December 2005 150374 Jasoncook 5 February 2000 27 August 2000 28 August 2000 151349 Stanleycooper 8 February 2002 151351 Dalleore 8 February 2002 152067 Deboy 15 August 2004 153301 Alissamearle 25 March 2001 19 August 2001 19 August 2001 154554 Heatherelliott 1 April 2003 154587 Ennico 30 May 2003 155784 Ercol 19 September 2000 25 March 2001 26 March 2001 156751 Chelseaferrell 4 December 2002 158472 Tiffanyfinley 8 February 2002 159102 Sarahflanigan 11 October 2004 159902 Gladstone 11 October 2004 159999 Michaelgriffin 2 March 2006 29 July 2000 22 May 2001 24 May 2001 160215 Haines-Stiles 8 February 2002 10 August 2002 161585 Danielhals 10 April 2005 161592 Sarahhamilton 10 August 2005 161699 Lisahardaway 26 April 2006 162395 Michaelbird 5 February 2000 5 February 2000 162978 Helenhart 19 August 2001 163244 Matthewhill 18 March 2002 163255 Adrianhill 6 April 2002 164536 Davehinson 27 April 2006 164701 Horanyi 7 January 1998 23 October 2003 23 October 2003 167971 Carlyhowett 11 March 2005 168221 Donjennings 1 May 2006 168531 Joshuakammer 10 November 1999 168635 Davidkaufmann 5 February 2000 168767 Kochte 25 August 2000 26 March 2001 169184 Jameslee 19 August 2001 169509 Jeffreyrobbins 7 February 2002 170073 Ivanlinscott 9 November 2002 24 August 2003 24 August 2003 170487 Mallder 22 October 2003 1 May 2006 2 May 2006 171624 Nicolemartin 5 February 2000 172090 Davidmccomas 6 February 2002 172191 Ralphmcnutt 10 August 2002 172951 Mehoke 11 May 2005 172985 Ericmelin 27 April 2006 173649 Jeffreymoore 26 March 2001 175238 Nguyenhien 12 April 2005 175920 Francisnimmo 5 February 2000 176610 Nuñez 18 March 2002 177120 Ocampo Uría 1 April 2003 177148 Pätzold 24 August 2003 177722 Pelletier 11 April 2005 178603 Pinkine 5 February 2000 178679 Piquette 28 August 2000 178987 Jillianredfern 19 August 2001 179647 Stuartrobbins 10 August 2002 180143 Gaberogers 30 March 2003 180855 Debrarose 11 April 2005 181562 Paulrosendall 20 October 2006 18 November 1998 182044 Ryschkewitsch 5 February 2000 182122 Sepan 26 August 2000 24 May 2001 20 August 2001 6 April 2002 8 April 2002 183357 Rickshelton 9 November 2002 4 December 2002 6 December 2002 26 February 2004 26 February 2004 13 August 2004 184314 Mbabamwanawaresa 11 March 2005 184315 Denisbogan 10 March 2005 19 October 2006 185312 Yvonnemarschall 20 October 2006 186411 Margaretsimon 10 August 2002 1 December 2005 187981 Soluri 19 August 2001 188139 Stanbridge 6 February 2002 188256 Stothoff 7 December 2002 188502 Darrellstrobel 12 August 2004 189035 Michaelsummers 5 February 2000 189312 Jameyszalay 1 May 2006 190710 Marktapley 26 March 2001 192001 Raynatedford 2 December 2005 193736 Henrythroop 25 March 2001 6 February 2002 6 February 2002 7 February 2002 7 February 2002 8 February 2002 8 February 2002 195191 Constantinetsang 8 February 2002 195405 Lentyler 6 April 2002 195777 Sheepman 12 August 2002 196411 Umurhan 1 April 2003 22 October 2003 22 October 2003 20 November 2003 21 November 2003 197525 Versteeg 22 February 2004 197845 Michaelvincent 14 August 2004 9 March 2005 11 March 2005 12 April 2005 10 April 2005 1 December 2005 1 December 2005 199574 Webbert 2 March 2006 199741 Weidner 26 April 2006 200255 Weigle 10 November 1999 201019 Oliverwhite 6 February 2002 201023 Karlwhittenburg 8 February 2002 201204 Stevewilliams 10 August 2002 201935 Robertbraun 26 February 2004 11 March 2005 11 March 2005 204570 Veronicabray 12 March 2005 204602 Lawrencebrown 11 April 2005 204632 Jamesburch 1 December 2005 204764 Lindaburke 1 May 2006 205823 Michaeldavis 8 February 2002 206015 Carlengelbrecht 9 August 2002 207013 Fischetti 11 October 2004 207394 Rickfitzgerald 1 December 2005 208117 Davidgerdes 6 February 2000 208196 Matthiashahn 27 August 2000 4 December 2002 5 December 2002 209075 Kathleenharmon 23 August 2003 209206 Richardhenry 23 October 2003 11 March 2005 12 March 2005 209883 Jasonhofgartner 10 May 2005 210854 Stevejaskulek 20 August 2001 210874 Perijohnson 12 September 2001 211077 Hongkang 8 February 2002 211232 Kellykevin 9 August 2002 10 March 2005 10 March 2005 12 March 2005 212215 Mallorykinczyk 10 April 2005 212392 Peterkollmann 26 April 2006 212403 Marthakusterer 1 May 2006 213197 Lessac-Chenen 20 September 2000 214290 Leeannmarshall 12 April 2005 215685 Cherylalexander 21 November 2003 215884 Jayantmurthy 9 March 2005 215905 Andrewpoppe 10 April 2005 216752 Kirbyrunyon 10 August 2005 217124 Michaelsalinas 6 February 2002 217492 Howardtaylor 28 April 2006 218069 Lisaturner 18 March 2002 218570 Jonvandegriff 10 April 2005 18 November 1998