Dr. Brett M. Morris

CHEOPS

In 2020-2021 I've been an active collaborator on the ESA CHEOPS mission.

• CHEOPS Precision Phase Curve of the Super-Earth 55 Cnc e
• A CHEOPS White Dwarf Transit Search

Starspots and age

I recently found a simple relationship between stellar age and starspot coverage.

• A Relationship Between Stellar Age and Spot Coverage

Starspots: HAT-P-11

I extract information about stellar magnetic activity encoded in planetary transits, as shown in these starspot occultations detected by Kepler on HAT-P-11.

• Starspots of HAT-P-11: Evidence for a Solar-like Dynamo
• Chromospheric Activity of HAT-P-11: an Unusually Active Planet-Hosting K Star
• Large Starspot Groups on HAT-P-11 in Activity Cycle 1

Starspots: TRAPPIST-1

I'm fascinated by the ultracool dwarf star TRAPPIST-1 and its seven Earth-sized exoplanets.

• Possible Bright Starspots on TRAPPIST-1
• Non-detection of Contamination by Stellar Activity in the Spitzer Transit Light Curves of TRAPPIST-1
• Robust Transiting Exoplanet Radii in the Presence of Starspots from Ingress and Egress Durations

Ground-based Photometry

I've been privileged to work on various ground-based photometric projects, predominantly using the ARC 3.5 m Telescope at Apache Point Observatory.

• Photometric Analysis and Transit Times of TRAPPIST-1 b and c
• Toward Space-like Photometric Precision from the Ground with Beam-shaping Diffusers
• Are Starspots and Plages Co-located on Active G and K Stars?

Astrobiology

As a dual-title PhD in astronomy and astrobiology, I was privileged to work with interdisciplinary scientists. For my astrobiology research rotation, I developed a comprehensive data reduction and analysis pipeline with Professor Jody Deming (UW) on the Submersible Holographic Astrobiology Microscope with Ultraresolution.

Outreach

I was co-founder and co-organizer of the fantastic series of public talks, Astronomy on Tap Seattle. Watch some of my talks here.