Daniel J. Stevens
Astronomer
I am:
...an assistant professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. I primarily study the types of eclipsing binary stars, observed by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, that masquerade as transiting exoplanets. I modify and apply exoplanet-analysis tools to a combination of ground- and space-based observations to probe stellar physics across the main-sequence. I am also currently helping renovate UMD's observatory to become capable of transiting exoplanet (and EB) follow-up.
I previously served as an assistant research professor (2021-22) and Eberly Research Fellow (2018-21) in the Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics at the Pennsylvania State University. I received my Ph.D. from the Department of Astronomy at The Ohio State University in 2018 and my B.A. in mathematics and physics with a concentration in astronomy from Northwestern University in 2012.
I usually teach:
AST 1043 (fall) & 1045 (spring): Introductory Astronomy
PHYS 2013: General Physics I (spring)
PHYS 3561/5561: Stellar Astrophysics (fall, in even-numbered years)
Personal:
I have two pets: a golden Bengal cat named Ollie and a large Lab/boxer/etc. dog named Luna.
Outside of astronomy, I enjoy playing table-top and video games, repairing/tinkering with vintage electronics, home-brewing, and trivia. I am also a once (and future?) indoor rock climber.