Davide Farnocchia


Education: 
  • Ph.D. in Mathematics, Galileo Galilei School of Graduate studies, University of Pisa (2012)
  • M.D. in Mathematics, University of Pisa (2008)
  • B.D. in Mathematics, University of Pisa (2006)

Research Interests: 
  • Orbit determination and dynamics of small Solar System bodies
  • Near-Earth asteroid surveys
  • Statistical treatment of astrometric data
  • Nongravitational perturbations
  • Impact hazard assessment

Professional Experience: 
  • 2014 – present: Navigation Engineer at Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
  • 2012 – 2014: NASA Postdoctoral Fellow at Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
  • 2012: Research fellow at SpaceDyS, Navacchio (PI), Italy
  • 2008: Research fellow at Department of Mathematics, University of Pisa, Italy

Selected Awards: 
  • Jet Propulsion Laboratory Voyager Award "For the development of a script that automates the extraction of high precision Global Astrometric Interferometer for Astrophysics (GAIA) measurements enabling high precision small body estimation in support of stellar occultation predictions" (2021)
  • NASA Group Achievement Award to OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Approach and Preliminary Survey "For sustained excellence in surmounting unprecedented navigation and science challenges during the OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Bennu Approach and Preliminary Survey Phases" (2019)
  • Jet Propulsion Laboratory Lew Allen Award "For exceptional leadership and research roles in orbit reconstruction and prediction of asteroids and comets" (2019)
  • Jet Propulsion Laboratory Team Award for the “Planetary Defense Simulated Impact Exercise Team” (2019)
  • Jet Propulsion Laboratory Voyager Award "For delivering high-precision ephemeris of Bennu to the OSIRIS-REx Science Team" (2019)
  • Jet Propulsion Laboratory Voyager Award "For identifying Non-gravitation (cometary) Accelerations for the First Interstellar Object, I1 `Oumuamua" (2018)
  • Jet Propulsion Laboratory Voyager Bonus Award "For implementing new capabilities into Solar System Dynamics group's small-body auto system enabling precise orbit prediction of asteroids and comets" (2017)
  • Jet Propulsion Laboratory Team Award "For excellence in the execution of the Juno Navigation team tasks through the start of prime science operations at Jupiter" (2017)
  • NASA Group Achievement Award to OSIRIS-REx Mission Team "For exceptional scientific, engineering, and management expertise and dedication in the development of the flight system for the OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Return Mission" (2017)
  • NASA Group Achievement Award to Juno Jupiter Orbit Insertion Team “For outstanding achievement in the successful insertion of the Juno spacecraft into orbit around Jupiter” (2017)
  • Jet Propulsion Laboratory Team Award “For Juno B-plane Definition Sensitivity Study” (2017)
  • Jet Propulsion Laboratory Team Award for the “Implementation of JPL’s Scout system, which predicts asteroid orbits given a very short data arc” (2016)
  • NASA Group Achievement Award to Spitzer Near Asteroid Team “For exemplary science implementation, analysis and execution of the Spitzer 2011 MD and 2009 BD near-Earth Asteroid Observations for NASA's Asteroid Redirect Mission” (2015)
  • NASA Group Achievement Award to Comet Modeling, Prediction and Assessment Team “For exceptional achievement in trajectory prediction, comet dust modeling, and risk assessment of hazards posed by the close, 2014 fly-by of Comet Siding Spring past Mars” (2015)
  • NASA Group Achievement Award to MRO Comet Siding Spring Observing Team “For excellence in developing and executing the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Comet Siding Spring Observing Campaign” (2015)
  • Jet Propulsion Laboratory Mariner Award “For providing close approach predictions (and uncertainties) for the Comet Siding Spring” (2014)
  • Celestial Mechanics and Innovation Prize awarded to an original research leading to innovative astrodynamical applications (2013)
  • Asteroid (84100) Farnocchia named in honor (2012)
  • NASA Postdoctoral Program fellowship (2012)

Selected Publications: 
  1. Fuentes-Munoz, O., Scheeres, D.J., Farnocchia, D., Park, R.S.: The Hazardous km-sized NEOs of the Next Thousands of Years. The Astronomical Journal 166, 10 (2023)
  2. Noonan, J.W., Parker, J.W., Harris, W.M., et al.: The Evolution of Activity and Chemical Composition in Rosetta’s Comet Targets Across Multiple Apparitions: Complications for CS2 as the CS Parent in Comet Nuclei. The Planetary Science Journal 4, 73 (2023)
  3. Holman, M.J., Akmal, A., Farnocchia, D., et al.: ASSIST: An Ephemeris-quality Test-particle Integrator. The Planetary Science Journal 4, 69 (2023)
  4. Seligman, D.Z., Farnocchia, D., Micheli, M., et al.: Dark Comets? Unexpectedly Large Nongravitational Accelerations on a Sample of Small Asteroids. The Planetary Science Journal 4, 35 (2023)
  5. Farnocchia, D., Seligman, D.Z., Granvik, M., et al.: (523599) 2003 RM: The asteroid that wanted to be a comet. The Planetary Science Journal 4, 29 (2023)
  6. Farnocchia, D., Reddy, V., Bauer, J.M., et al.: International Asteroid Warning Network Timing Campaign: 2019 XS. The Planetary Science Journal 3, 156 (2022)
  7. Reddy, V., Kelley, M.S., Dotson, J., et al.: Apophis Planetary Defense Campaign. The Planetary Science Journal 3, 123 (2022)
  8. Takeuchi, H., Taniguchi, S., Ichikawa, T. et al.: Orbit Determination for Hayabusa2. Hayabusa2 Asteroid Sample Return Mission, 73-94 (2022)
  9. Davidsson, B.J.R., Samarasinha, N.H., Farnocchia, D., Gutierrez, P.J.: Modelling the water and carbon dioxide production rates of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 509, 3065-3085 (2022).
  10. Roa, J., Farnocchia, D., Chesley, S.R.: A Novel Approach to Asteroid Impact Monitoring. Astronomical Journal 162, 277 (2021)
  11. Tricarico, P., Scheeres, D.J., French, A.S., et al.: Internal rubble composition of asteroid (101955) Bennu. Icarus 370, 114665 (2021)
  12. Farnocchia, D., Chesley, S.R., Takahashi, Y.: Bennu ephemeris and hazard assessment based on OSIRIS-REx data. Icarus 396, 114594 (2021)
  13. Hirabayashi, M., Mimasu, Y., Sakatani, N., et al.: Hayabusa2 extended mission: New voyage to rendezvous with an extremely small body rotating with a short period. Advances in Space Research 68. 1533-1555 (2021)
  14. Devogele, M., Ferrais, M., Jehin, E., et al.: (6478) Gault: Physical characterization of an active main-belt asteroid. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 505, 245-258 (2021)
  15. Jenniskens, P., Gabadirwe M, Yin Q.-Z., et al.: The impact and recovery of asteroid 2018 LA. Meteoritics and Planetary Sciences 56, 844-893 (2021)
  16. Naidu, S.P., Micheli, M., Farnocchia, D., et al.: Precovery Observations Confirm the Capture Time of Asteroid 2020 CD3 as Earth's Minimoon. The Astrophysical Journal 913, L6 (2021)
  17. Noonan, J.W., Harris, W.M., Bromley, S., et al.: FUV Observations of the Inner Coma of 46P/Wirtanen. The Planetary Science Journal 2, 8 (2021)
  18. Farnocchia D., Bellerose, J., Bhaskaran, S., Micheli, M., Weryk, R.: High-fidelity comet 67P ephemeris and predictions based on Rosetta data. Icarus 358, 114276 (2021)
  19. Tardioli, C., Farnocchia, D., Vasile, M., Chesley, S.R.: Impact probability under aleatory and epistemic uncertainties. Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy 132, 54 (2020)
  20. Fedorets, G., Micheli, M., Jedicke, R., et al.: Establishing Earth's Minimoom Population through Characterization of Asteroid 2020 CD3. The Astronomical Journal 160, 277 (2020)
  21. Roa, J., Farnocchia, D., Chodas, P.W., et al.: Recoverability of known near-Earth asteroids. The Astronomical Journal 160, 250 (2020)
  22. Scheeres, D.J., McMahon, J.W., French, A.S., et al.: A Heterogeneous Mass Distribution for Bennu and its Implications. Science Advances 6, eabc3350 (2020)
  23. Bodewits, D., Noonan, J.W., Feldman, P.D., et al.: The carbon monoxide-rich interstellar comet 2I/Borisov. Nature Astronomy 4, 867-871 (2020)
  24. Hergenrother, C.W., Maleszewski, C., Li, J.-Y., et al.: Photometry of particles ejected from active asteroid (101955) Bennu. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 125, e06381 (2020).
  25. Chesley, S.R., French, A.S., Davis, A.B., et al.: Trajectory estimation for particles observed in the vicinity of (101955) Bennu. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 125, e06363 (2020).
  26. McMahon, J.W., Scheeres, D.J., Chesley, S.R., et al.: Dynamical Evolution of Simulated Particles Ejected from Asteroid Bennu. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 125, e06229 (2020)
  27. Rumpf, C.M., Mathias, D.L., Wheeler, L., et al.: Deflection Driver Evolution Of Asteroid Impact Risk Under Larger Uncertainties. Acta Astronautica 176, 276-286 (2020)
  28. Scheeres, D.J., McMahon, J.W., Brack, D.N., et al.: Particle Ejection Contributions to the YORP Effect acting on Asteroid (101955) Bennu. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 125, e06284 (2020)
  29. Bailer-Jones, C.A.L., Farnocchia, D., Ye, Q., Meech, K.J., Micheli, M.: A search for the origin of the interstellar comet 2I/Borisov. Astronomy & Astrophysics 634, A14 (2020)
  30. Ye, Q., Kelley, M.S.P., Bolin, B.T., et al.: Pre-discovery Activity of 2I/Borisov Beyond 5 au. The Astronomical Journal 159, 77 (2020)
  31. Ye, Q., Masci, F.J., Ip, W.-H., et al.: A Twilight Search for Atiras, Vatiras and Co-orbital Asteroids. The Astronomical Journal 159, 70 (2020)
  32. Eggl, S., Farnocchia, D., Chamberlin, A.B., Chesley, S.R.: Star catalog and proper motion corrections in asteroid astrometry II: The Gaia era. Icarus 339, 113596 (2020)
  33. Lauretta, D.S., Hergenrother, C.W., Chesley, S.R., et al.: OSIRIS-REx discovery of particle ejection from asteroid (101955) Bennu. Science 366, 1217 (2019)
  34. Farnocchia, D., Eggl, S., Chodas, P.W., Giorgini, J.D., Chesley, S.R.: Planetary encounter analysis on the B-plane: a comprehensive formulation. Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy 131, 36 (2019)
  35. Del Vigna, A., Roa, J., Farnocchia, D., et al.: Yarkovsky effect detection and updated impact hazard assessment for near-Earth asteroid (410777) 2009 FD. Astronomy & Astrophysics 627, L11 (2019)
  36. Moskovitz, N.A., Fatka, P., Farnocchia, D., et al.: A common origin for dynamically associated near-Earth asteroid pairs. Icarus 333, 165-176 (2019)
  37. Hui, M.-T., Farnocchia, D., Micheli, M.: C/2010 U3 (Boattini): A Bizarre Comet Active at Record Heliocentric Distance. The Astronomical Journal 157, 162 (2019)
  38. Reddy, V., Kelley, M.S., Farnocchia, D., et al.: Near-Earth Asteroid 2012 TC4 Campaign: Results from Global Planetary Defense Exercise. Icarus 326, 133-150 (2019)
  39. Scheeres., D.J., McMahon, J.W., French, A.S., et al.: The dynamic geophysical environment of (101955) Bennu based on OSIRIS-REx measurements. Nature Astronomy 3, 352-361 (2019)
  40. Greenstreet, S., Farnocchia, D., Lister, T.: Measuring the Yarkovsky effect with the Las Cumbres Observatory. Icarus 321, 564-571 (2019)
  41. Hanus, J., Vokrouhlicky, D., Delbo', M., et al.: (3200) Phaethon: Bulk density from Yarkovsky drift detection. Astronomy and Astrophysics 620, L8 (2018)
  42. Trilling, D.E., Mommert, M., Hora, J.L. et al.: Spitzer observations of interstellar object 1I/'Oumuamua. The Astronomical Journal 156, 261 (2018)
  43. Bailer-Jones, C.A.L., Farnocchia, D., Meech, K.J., et al.: Plausible Home Stars of the Interstellar Object ‘Oumuamua Found in Gaia DR2. The Astrophysical Journal 156, 205 (2018)
  44. Del Vigna, A., Faggioli, L., Milani, A., et al: Detecting the Yarkovsky effect among near-Earth asteroids from astrometric data. Astronomy and Astrophysics 617, A61 (2018)
  45. Micheli, M., Farnocchia, D., Meech, K.J.: Non-gravitational acceleration in the trajectory of 1I/2017 U1 ('Oumuamua). Nature 559, 223-226 (2018)
  46. Veres, P., Payne, M.J., Holman, M.J., et al.: Unconfirmed Near-Earth Objects. The Astronomical Journal 156, 5 (2018)
  47. McMahon, J.W., Scheeres, D.J., Hesar, S.G., et al: The OSIRIS-REx Radio Science Experiment at Bennu. Space Science Reviews 214, 43 (2018)
  48. Durech, J., Vokrouhlicky, D., Pravec, P., et al: Search for the YORP effect in asteroids (1685) Toro, (2100) Ra-Shalom, (3103) Eger, and (161989) Cacus. Astronomy and Astrophysics 608, A86 (2018)
  49. Tardioli, C., Farnocchia, D., Rozitis, B., et al: Constraints on the near-Earth asteroid obliquity distribution from the Yarkovsky effect. Astronomy and Astrophysics 608, A61 (2017)
  50. Li, J.-Y., Kelley, M.S.P., Samarasinha, N.H., et al.: The Unusual Apparition of Comet 252P/LINEAR and Comparison with Comet P/2016 BA14. The Astronomical Journal 154, 136 (2017)
  51. Veres, P., Farnocchia, D., Chesley, S.R., Chamberlin, A.B.: Statistical Analysis of Astrometric Errors for the Most Productive Asteroid Surveys. Icarus 296, 139-149 (2017)
  52. Farnocchia, D., Jenniskens, P., Robertson, D.K., et al.: The impact trajectory of asteroid 2008 TC3. Icarus 294, 218-226 (2017)
  53. Moreno, F., Pozuelos, F.J., Novakovic, B., et al.: The splitting of double-component active asteroid P/2016 J1 (PANSTARRS). The Astrophysical Journal 837, L3 (2017)
  54. Scheeres, D.J., Hesar, S., Tardivel, S., et al.: The Geophysical Environment of Bennu. Icarus 276, 116-140 (2016)
  55. Farnocchia, D., Chesley, S.R., Brown, P.G., Chodas, P.W.: The trajectory and atmospheric impact of asteroid 2014 AA. Icarus 274, 327-333 (2016)
  56. Farnocchia, D., Chesley, S.R., Micheli, M., et al.: High precision comet trajectory estimates: the Mars flyby of comet C/2013 A1 (Siding Spring). Icarus 266, 279-287 (2016)
  57. Farnocchia, D., Milani, A., Chesley, S.R., Gronchi, G.F., Chodas, P.W.: Orbits, long-term predictions, impact monitoring. Asteroids IV, 815-834 (2015)
  58. Farnocchia, D., Chesley, S.R., Micheli, M.: Systematic ranging and late warning asteroid impacts. Icarus 258, 18-27 (2015)
  59. Vokrouhlicky, D., Farnocchia, D., Capek, D., et al.: The Yarkovsky effect for (99942) Apophis. Icarus 252, 277-283 (2015)
  60. Farnocchia, D., Chesley, S.R., Chamberlin, A.B., Tholen, D.J.: Star catalog position and proper motion corrections in asteroid astrometry. Icarus 245, 94-111 (2015)
  61. Spoto, F., Milani, A., Farnocchia, D., et al.: Nongravitational Perturbations and Virtual Impactors: the case of asteroid (410777) 2009 FD. Astronomy and Astrophysics 572, A100 (2014)
  62. Kelley, M.S.P., Farnham, T.L., Bodewits, D., Tricarico, P., Farnocchia, D.: A Study of Dust and Gas at Mars from Comet C/2013 A1 (Siding Spring). The Astrophysical Journal 792, L16 (2014)
  63. Farnocchia, D., Chesley, S.R., Tholen, D.J, Micheli, M.: High precision predictions for near-Earth asteroids: the strange case of (3908) Nyx. Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy 119, 301-312 (2014)
  64. Farnocchia, D., Chesley, S.R., Chodas, P.W., et al.: Trajectory analysis for the nucleus and dust of comet C/2013 A1 (Siding Spring). The Astrophysical Journal 790, 114 (2014)
  65. Mommert, M., Farnocchia, D., Hora, J.L., et al.: Physical Properties of Near-Earth Asteroid 2011 MD. The Astrophysical Journal 789, L22 (2014)
  66. Veres, P., Farnocchia, D., Jedicke, R., Spoto, F.: The effect of parallax and cadence
on asteroid impact probabilities and warning times. Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific 126, 433-444 (2014)
  67. Tricarico, P., Samarasinha, N.H., Sykes, M.V., et al.: Delivery of dust grains from comet C/2013 A1 (Siding Spring) to Mars. The Astrophysical Journal 787, L35 (2014)
  68. Mommert, M., Hora, J.L., Farnocchia, D, et al.: Constraining the Physical Properties of Near–Earth Object 2009 BD. The Astrophysical Journal 786, 148 (2014)
  69. Chesley, S.R., Farnocchia, D., Nolan, M.C., et al.: Orbit and Bulk Density of the OSIRIS-REx Target Asteroid (101955) Bennu. Icarus 235, 5-22 (2014)
  70. Farnocchia, D., Chesley, S.R.:  Assessment of the 2880 impact threat from asteroid (29075) 1950 DA. Icarus 229, 321-327 (2014)
  71. Farnocchia, D., Bracali Cioci, D., Milani, A.: Robust resolution of Kepler’s equation in all eccentricity regimes. Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy 116, 21-34 (2013)
  72. Denneau, L., Jedicke, R., Grav, T., et al.: The Pan-STARRS Moving Object Processing System. Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific 125, 357-395 (2013)
  73. Farnocchia, D., Chesley, S.R., Chodas, P.W., et al.: Yarkovsky-driven impact risk analysis for asteroid (99942) Apophis. Icarus 224, 192-200 (2013)
  74. Farnocchia, D., Chesley, S.R., Vokrouhlicky, D., et al.: Near Earth Asteroids with measurable Yarkovsky effect. Icarus 224, 1-13 (2013)
  75. Milani, A., Knezevic, Z., Farnocchia, D., et al.: Identification of known objects in solar system surveys. Icarus 220, 114-123 (2012)
  76. Farnocchia, D., Bernardi, F., Valsecchi, G.B.: Efficiency of a wide-area survey in achieving short- and long-term warning for small impactors. Icarus 219, 41-47 (2012)
  77. Milani, A., Farnocchia, D., Dimare, L., Rossi, A., Bernardi, F.: Innovative observing strategy and orbit determination for Low Earth Orbit Space Debris. Planetary and Space Science 62, 10-22 (2012)
  78. Milani, A., Tommei, G., Farnocchia, D., et al.: Orbit determination of space objects based on sparse optical data. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 417, 2094-2103 (2011)
  79. Gronchi, G.F., Farnocchia, D., Dimare, L.: Orbit Determination with the two-body Integrals. II. Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy 110, 257-270 (2011)
  80. Farnocchia, D., Tommei, G., Milani, A., Rossi, A.: Innovative methods of correlation and orbit determination for space debris. Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy 107, 169-185 (2010)
  81. Milani, A., Gronchi, G.F., Farnocchia, D., et al.: Topocentric Orbit Determination: Algorithms for the Next Generation Surveys. Icarus 195, 474-492 (2008)
Davide Farnocchia
Address: 
4800 Oak Grove Dr.
Pasadena, CA 91109
Phone: 818.354.0081
Email: 
Davide.Farnocchia@jpl.nasa.gov