Matthew Kenworthy’s research includes the search for extrasolar planetary systems by direct imaging, specifically through two related lines: Firstly, using coronagraphs such as the Apodizing Phase Plate (APP) coronagraph to reduce the glare from bright stars that mask the signal of a planet. He took the first observations with an APP coronagraph that he jointly developed at Steward Observatory. Secondly, developing point spread function reconstruction techniques to clean any aberrations left after using the coronagraph, such as the Phase Sorting Interferometry (PSI) technique.
Other research includes interpreting unusual light curves as the transits of giant exorings around exoplanets, running the Beta Pictoris b Ring (bRing) project carrying out the first photometric search for circumplanetary material.
Papers and Conference proceedings
bRing: An observatory dedicated to monitoring the Beta Pictoris b Hill
sphere transit
*
ADS Link
Stuik, R., et al.
2017, *A&A*, *607*, A45
On-sky Performance Analysis of the Vector Apodizing Phase Plate Coronagraph on MagAO/Clio2*
ADS Link
Otten, G. P. P. L., et al.
2017, *ApJ*, *834*, 175
Confirmation and Characterization of the Protoplanet HD 100546 b—Direct Evidence for Gas Giant Planet Formation at 50 AU*
ADS Link
Quanz, S. P., Amara, A., Meyer, M. R., Girard, J. H., Kenworthy, M. A.,
Kasper, M.
2015, *ApJ*, *807*, 64
Modeling Giant Extrasolar Ring Systems in Eclipse and the Case of J1407b: Sculpting by Exomoons?*
ADS Link
Kenworthy, M. A., Mamajek, E. E.
2015, *ApJ*, *800*, 126
Searching for Planets in Holey Debris Disks with the Apodizing Phase Plate*
ADS Link
Meshkat, T., Bailey, V. P., Su, K. Y. L., Kenworthy, M. A., Mamajek, E. E.,
Hinz, P. M., Smith, P. S.
2015, *ApJ*, *800*, 5
HD 106906b: A Planetary-mass Companion Outside a Massive Debris Disk*
ADS Link
Bailey, V., et al.
2014, *ApJ*, *780*, L4
Optimized Principal Component Analysis on Coronagraphic Images of the Fomalhaut System*ADS
Link
Meshkat, T., Kenworthy, M. A., Quanz, S. P., Amara, A.
2014, *ApJ*, *780*, 17
Focal Plane Wavefront Sensing Using Residual Adaptive Optics Speckles*
ADS Link
Codona, J. L., Kenworthy, M.
2013, *ApJ*, *767*, 100
Coronagraphic Observations of Fomalhaut at Solar System Scales*
ADS Link
Kenworthy, M. A., Meshkat, T., Quanz, S. P., Girard, J. H., Meyer, M. R.,
Kasper, M.
2013, *ApJ*, *764*, 7
Planetary Construction Zones in Occultation: Discovery of an Extrasolar Ring System Transiting a Young Sun-like Star and Future Prospects for Detecting Eclipses by Circumsecondary and Circumplanetary Disks*
ADS Link
Mamajek, E. E., Quillen, A. C., Pecaut, M. J., Moolekamp, F., Scott, E. L.,
Kenworthy, M. A., Collier Cameron, A., Parley, N. R.
2012, *AJ*, *143*, 72
First Results from Very Large Telescope NACO Apodizing Phase Plate: 4 μm Images of The Exoplanet β Pictoris b*
ADS Link
Quanz, S. P., et al.
2010, *ApJ*, *722*, L49
Discovery of a Faint Companion to Alcor Using MMT/AO 5 micron Imaging*
ADS Link
Mamajek, E. E., Kenworthy, M. A., Hinz, P. M., Meyer, M. R.
2010, *AJ*, *139*, 919
On-sky Performance Analysis of the Vector Apodizing Phase Plate Coronagraph on MagAO/Clio2
Confirmation and Characterization of the Protoplanet HD 100546 b—Direct Evidence for Gas Giant Planet Formation at 50 AU
Modeling Giant Extrasolar Ring Systems in Eclipse and the Case of J1407b: Sculpting by Exomoons?
Searching for Planets in Holey Debris Disks with the Apodizing Phase Plate
HD 106906b: A Planetary-mass Companion Outside a Massive Debris Disk
Optimized Principal Component Analysis on Coronagraphic Images of the Fomalhaut System
Focal Plane Wavefront Sensing Using Residual Adaptive Optics Speckles
Coronagraphic Observations of Fomalhaut at Solar System Scales
Planetary Construction Zones in Occultation: Discovery of an Extrasolar Ring System Transiting a Young Sun-like Star and Future Prospects for Detecting Eclipses by Circumsecondary and Circumplanetary Disks
First Results from Very Large Telescope NACO Apodizing Phase Plate: 4 μm Images of The Exoplanet β Pictoris b
Discovery of a Faint Companion to Alcor Using MMT/AO 5 micron Imaging