T.G. Müller's Home Page

	Deutsch English Dr. Thomas G. Müller Watzmannring 7 85748 Garching b. München, Germany Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik (MPE) Gießenbachstraße 1, 85748 Garching, Germany ORCID: 0000-0002-0717-0462 Phone : (+49) (176) 455 00 595 E-Mail 1 : Thomas.Mueller [at] mnet-online.de E-Mail 2 : tmueller [at] mpe.mpg.de Curriculum Vitae (English)

Large Science & EU Projects

Small Bodies Near and Far (SBNAF):
- EU H2020 Research & Innovation project #687378, 2016-2019, 4 partner institutes in Germany, Poland, Hungary and Spain, with 1.6 M€ budget
- Scientific exploitation of astrophysics and planetary data from space projects in combination with auxiliary data from multiple sources
- Development of new tools, techniques, data products, web services, and databases
- Reconstruction of physical and thermal properties of near-Earth, main-belt and trans-Neptunian objects
- Close to 100 refereed publications (SBNAF work and contributions to other projects)
- Wide range of outreach activities and multiple press releases
- Role: Principal Investigator, coordinator, project manager, EU contact point
TNOs are Cool: A Survey of the Transneptunian Region:
- Herschel Open-Time Key Project, with about 400 hours observing time with the Herschel Space Observatory
- Preparation started in 2005, observations were conducted between 2009 to 2013, scientific exploitation: still ongoing
- 40 scientists worldwide
- Thermal studies of more than 130 trans-Neptunian objects
- Physical and radiometric properties for different dynamic families in the outer Solar System
- Close to 40 refereed publications (own work and contributions to other projects)
- Wide range of outreach activities and multiple press releases
- Role: Principal Investigator, coordinator, project manager, ESA contact point (Co-PIs: E. Lellouch, H. Boehnhardt; NASA-PI: J. Stansberry)
European Stratospheric Balloon Observatory
- Innovative infrastructure for astronomical research based on stratospheric balloons (ORISON):
  - Coordination & Support project #690013, 2016-2017, 4 partner institutes in Spain and Germany, with 606 k€ budget
  - Feasibility study for low-cost stratospheric balloons equipped with light-weight, medium-sized stabilized telescopes
  - Establishment of requirements and technical specifications for such a research infrastructure
  - Study of the market supply and exploration of the infrastructure exploitation strategies
  - Role: Co Principal Investigator, local project manager and supervisor
- European Stratospheric Balloon Observatory Design Study (ESBO DS):
  - Research & Innovation project #777516, 2018-2021, 5 partner institutes in Germany, Sweden and Spain, with 3.3 M€ budget
  - Design and development of a new European astronomical research infrastructure for balloon-based telescopes
  - Infrastructure concept, including governance and operating structure, definition of a long-term roadmap
  - Construction of a highly sensitive UV instrument and a prototype platform
  - Flight and safe recovery preparations, platform operations and data flow concepts
  - Role: Co Principal Investigator, local project manager, science & project advisory board
Origin and Evolution of Solar System Objects (SOSOS):
- Prioritized Mission Program for the Infrared Imaging Satellite "AKARI" (ASTRO-F)
- Dedicated observations for 66 Solar System objects (near-Earth, main-belt, Cybeles, Hildas) at thermal infrared wavelengths
- Extraction of Solar System objects from the mid-infrared survey data
- Data reduction, calibration and thermo-physical model analysis of the observations
- Establishment of the Asteroid catalog using AKARI (sizes, albedos, dynamic families)
- Combination and comparison with IRAS and WISE: A Panoramic View of the Asteroids in the Inner Solar System
- About 20 refereed publications (SOSOS work, AKARI surveys, follow-up)
- Role: Co-Investigator, calibration, thermophysical model analysis, publications

Participation in large, mainly space-related projects

Past and ongoing projects:

Project	Instrument development, construction, test, integration	Operations	Software, pipeline development, test	Calibration (planning, analysis, documentation)	Data quality, sanity checks, user support	Post-operations, archive, documentation	Scientific data analysis	Project-related science, publications, presentations, outreach
Hubble-FOS (1)	-----	-----	1994	1994	1994	-----	1994	-----
ISO-ISOPHOT (2,3)	---	1995-1998	1994-2001	1994-2001	1995-1999	1999-2003	1995-2003	1996-2003
XMM-Newton (3,6)	-----	-----	-----	-----	-----	-----	-----	2001,2014/15
AKARI-IRC/FIS (3,4,6)	-----	-----	-----	2006-2008	-----	-----	2006-2010	2006-2020
Spitzer-MIPS (5,6)	-----	-----	-----	2004-2014	-----	-----	2004-2020	2004-2020
Herschel-PACS (6)	2002-2009	2009-2014	2005-2015	2002-2020	2009-2016	2013-2016	2009-2020	2010-2020
ALMA (6)	-----	-----	-----	2014-2020	-----	-----	2014-2020	2014-2020
Hayabusa2-TIR (4,6)	-----	-----	-----	2018-2020	2019-2020	-----	2018-2020	2014-2020

These tasks have been conducted at: (1) Space Telescope European Coordinating Facility (ST-ECF) at the European Southern Observatory ESO (1994); (2) Max Planck Institute for Astronomy MPIA (1994-1998); (3) European Space Agency ESA (1998-2001); (4) Japanese Space Agency JAXA (multiple visits in 2002-2019); (5) US Space Agency NASA (multiple visits in 1995-2016), and (6) Max Planck Institute for extraterrestrial Physics MPE (2002-2020).
I also participated in the interplanetary sample-return mission Hayabusa to the asteroid 25143 Itokawa (associated team member, pre-mission observations, thermophysical target characterization, comparison with in-situ results). Part of the work was conducted in Japan during a Fellowship for Research of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) in 2003.

Upcoming projects:

JWST (launch: 2021): Participation in Guaranteed Time Observation (GTO) programs on Solar System targets.
DESTINY+ (launch: 2022): Participation as science team member and support for pre-mission characteristics of the mission target (3200) Phaethon.
EUCLID (launch 2022): Member of the Solar System Science Working Group (SSO SWG).
SPICA (launch 2032): Definition of Solar System science cases (as part of the SPICA Solar System and Exoplanets Working Group).
SKA (science observations in the mid-2020s): Definition of Solar System science cases (as part of "The cradle of life" Working Group).
Millimetron Space Observatory (launch 2029): Definition of Solar System science cases "Small bodies of the Solar System" (Science Working Group).

Publications

Entries in the Astrophysics Data System ADS (regularly updated)
Refereed and non-refereed publications up to Apr 2020 (PDF): >130 refereed publications, >8200 citations, including several Nature and Science publications
- A. Pahler, M. Ångermann, J. Barnstedt, ... T.G. Müller et al.: "Status of the STUDIO UV balloon mission and platform", submitted to SPIE in Nov 2020
- T.G. Müller, M.J. Burgdorf, V. Alí-Lagoa, S.A. Buehler, M. Prange: "The Moon at thermal infrared wavelengths: a benchmark for asteroid thermal models", submitted to Astronomy & Astrophysics in Nov 2020
- C. Chavez, T.G. Müller, J. Marshall, J. Horner, H. Drass, B. Carter: "A thermophysical and dynamical study of the Hildas (1162) Larissa and (1911) Schubart", submitted to Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society in Sep 2020
- E. Fernández-Valenzuela, N. Pinilla-Alonso, J. Stansberry, ..., T. Müller et al.: "Compositional study of trans-Neptunian objects at λ > 2.2 μm", accepted by Planetary Science Journal (AAS) in Oct. 2020
- J. Yoon, C. Martin, S. Veilleux, ... T. Müller et al.: "Exploring the Dust Content of Galactic Halos with Herschel. III. NGC 891", accepted by MNRAS in Nov 2020
- V. Alí-Lagoa, T. Müller, et al., "Thermal properties of large main-belt asteroids observed by Herschel PACS", Astronomy & Astrophysics 641, A76, Sep 2020; DOI
- Ö. Detre, T. Müller, U. Klaas, et al.: Herschel-PACS photometry of Uranus' five major moons, Astronomy & Astrophysics 641, A76, Sep 2020; DOI
- L. O'Rourke, T. G. Müller, N. Biver, et al.: Low Water outgassing from (24) Themis and (65) Cybele – 3.1 μm NIR spectra implications, ApJL 898, L45, Aug 2020; DOI
- J.L. Ortiz, P. Santos-Sanz, B. Sicardy, ..., T. Müller et al.: "The large Trans-Neptunian Object 2002 TC302 from combined stellar occultation, photometry, and astrometry data", Astronomy & Astrophysics 639, A134, Jul 2020; DOI
- T. Okada, T. Fukuhara, S. Tanaka, ..., T. Müller et al.: "Highly porous nature of a primitive asteroid revealed by thermal imaging", Nature, Mar 2020, 5p; DOI
- R. Szakáts, T. Müller, V. Alí-Lagoa, et al.: "Small Bodies: Near and Far Database for thermal infrared observations of small bodies in the Solar System", Astronomy & Astrophysics 635, A54, 14pp., Mar 2020; DOI
- T. Müller, E. Lellouch, S. Fornasier: "Trans-Neptunian objects and Centaurs at thermal wavelengths", Chapter 7 in The Trans-Neptunian Solar System, Edited by D. Prialnik, M. A. Barucci, L. Young. ISBN 9780128164907, Elsevier, 2020, p.153-181; DOI
- T. Müller, Cs. Kiss, V. Alí-Lagoa, et al.: "Haumea's thermal emission revisited in the light of the occultation results", Icarus, Volume 334, p.39-51, Dec 2019; DOI
- A. Marciniak, V. Alí-Lagoa, T. Müller et al.: "Thermal properties of slowly rotating asteroids: results from a targeted survey", Astronomy & Astrophysics 625, A139, May 2019; DOI
- S. Sugita, R. Honda, T. Morata, ..., T. Müller et al.: "The geomorphology, color, and thermal properties of Ryugu: Implications for parent-body processes", Science 364, Apr 2019; DOI
- K. Wada, M. Grott, P. Michel, ... T. Müller et al.: "Asteroid Ryugu before the Hayabusa2 encounter", Progress in Earth and Planetary Science 5, 82, Dec 2018; DOI
- T. Müller, A. Marciniak, Cs. Kiss et al.: "Small Bodies Near and Far (SBNAF): A benchmark study on physical and thermal properties of small bodies in the Solar System, Advances in Space Research 62, 8, Oct 2018; DOI
- E. Vilenius, J. Stansberry, T. Müller et al.: "TNOs are Cool: A survey of the trans-Neptunian region. XIV. Size/albedo characterization of the Haumea family observed with Herschel and Spitzer", Astronomy & Astrophysics 618, A136, Oct 2018; DOI
- V. Alí-Lagoa, T. Müller, F. Usui et al.: The AKARI-IRC asteroid flux catalogue: updated diameters and albedos, Astronomy & Astrophysics 612, A85, May 2018; DOI
- A. Marciniak, P. Bartczak, T. Müller et al.: "Photometric survey, modelling, and scaling of long-period and low-amplitude asteroids, Astronomy & Astrophysics 610, A7, Feb 2018; DOI
- T. Müller, E. Lellouch, S. Fornasier: "Trans-Neptunian objects and Centaurs at thermal wavelengths", Chapter 7 in The Trans-Neptunian Solar System, Edited by D. Prialnik, M. A. Barucci, L. Young. ISBN 9780128164907, Elsevier, 2020, p.153-181; DOI
- T. Müller, A. Marciniak, Cs. Kiss et al.: "Small Bodies Near and Far (SBNAF): A benchmark study on physical and thermal properties of small bodies in the Solar System, Advances in Space Research 62, 8, Oct 2018; DOI
- T. Müller: "The Franconian Asteroid 7984 Marius", Chapter 18 in Simon Marius and his Research, Editors: H. Gaab & P. Leich, Historical & Cultural Astronomy, Springer Verlag, ISBN: 978-3-319-92620-9, 2018, p.437-447; DOI
- T. Müller: "Der fränkische Kleinplanet (7984) Marius", in "Simon Marius und seine Forschung", H. Gaab, P. Leich, (Acta Historica Astronomiae, Band 57, W. R. Dick, J. Hamel [Hrsg.]), Leipzig 2016, p. 441-454,ISBN 978-3-944913-49-0.
- T. G. Müller, P. Ábrahám, J. Crovisier: "Comets, Asteroids and Zodiacal Light as Seen by ISO", in "ISO Science Legacy - A compact review of ISO major achievements", Editors: C. Cesarsky & A. Salama, Springer Verlag, ISBN: 1-4020-3843-7, 2005, p.141-155. DOI
- E. Dotto, M. A. Barucci, T. G. Müller, A. D. Storrs, P. Tanga: "Observations from Orbiting Platforms", in Asteroids III, W.F. Bottke, A. Cellino, P. Paolicchi, R.P. Binzel (eds.), The University of Arizona Press, ISBN: 0-8165-2281-2, 2002, pp. 219-234.
- Ryugu: interpretation of Hayabusa-2 TIR measurements
- Serendipitous detection of asteroids in the Herschel-PACS/SPIRE data
- ESASky, including analysis of 16 Psyche

Presentations, conferences, workshops & outreach

- Workshop "Thermal Models for Planetary Science III", Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary, 20-22 Feb 2019, Organization: Thomas Müller (SOC chair), Csaba Kiss (LOC chair)
- Meetings on "Small Bodies Near and Far":
  - Astronomical Observatory, University of Poznań (AMU), Poland, May 7-9, 2019; Organization: T.G. Müller, A. Marciniak
  - Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik (MPE), Garching, Germany, Nov 12-14, 2018; Organization: T.G. Müller, V. Alí-Lagoa
  - Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (IAA), Granada, Spain, Apr 25-27, 2018; Organization: T.G. Müller, R. Duffard
  - Konkoly Observatory, Budapest, Hungary, Oct 4-6, 2017; Organization: T.G. Müller, Cs. Kiss
  - Astronomical Observatory, University of Poznań (AMU), Poland, May 4-69, 2017; Organization: T.G. Müller, A. Marciniak
  - Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik (MPE), Garching, Germany, Nov 21-23, 2016; Organization: T.G. Müller, V. Alí-Lagoa
  - Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (IAA), Granada, Spain, Apr 13-15, 2016; Organization: T.G. Müller, E. Fernández-Valenzuela
- Conference on "The Trans-Neptunian Solar System", Mar 26-29, 2018, Coimbra, Portugal, SOC member
- European Planetary Science Congress 2017 (Riga, Latvia) & 2018 (Berlin, Germany): Session organisation (convener, co-convener)
- European Planetary Science Congress (EPSC), 21.9.2020: "Thermophysical model of the Moon from 3.7 to 15 μm", TP12 Session: Open Lunar Science & Innovation; EPSC Abstracts Vol. 14, EPSC2020-586, 2020
- Max-Planck-Institut für Sonnensystemforschung, Göttingen, 5.9.2019, "Ryugu - A fascinating asteroid", Planetary Group Seminar
- ESO Supernova, 30.6.2019 (Asteroid Day): "Die Hayabusa2 Mission zu Ryugu", Seminarvortrag
- Workshop "Thermal Models for Planetary Science III", Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary, Feb 20-22, 2019:
  - "Thermophysical modelling of Centaurs & TNOs", Feb 20, 2019, contributed talk
  - "The Moon as flux calibrator for TIR measurements of Ryugu during the Hayabusa2 approach phase in June 2018", Feb 22, 2019, contributed talk
- Workshop on EU proposal project "Holistic characterization of near-Earth asteroids (HOLICON)", University of Helsinki, Finland, Jan 30-31, 2019, "Thermal IR modelling of near-Earth asteroids", contributed talk
- Volkssternwarte München, 7.2.2020, "Zu Besuch bei erdnahen Asteroiden", in der Reihe "Steine im Weltall" (Teil 2/3)
- Astronomiemuseum der Sternwarte Sonneberg, 3.2.2020, "Die Hayabusa-2 Mission", in der Reihe "Montagsvortrag" und Teil des "Urknall, Weltall und das Leben" Programms auf Youtube
- Astronomy on Tap, 22.1.2020, KOOKS, Munich, "Ryugu: A strange world in the Solar System", launch event
- Garching, Volkshochschule München Nord, 19.11.2019, "Asteroiden unter der Lupe: Lebensbringer oder Gefahr aus dem All?", Wissenschaftliche Vortragsreihe
- ESO Supernova, 30.6.2019 (Asteroid Day): "Asteroiden: Gefahr aus dem All?", Abendvortrag Planetarium
- Nicolaus-Copernicus-Planetarium Nürnberg, 27.2.2019, "Asteroiden: Gefahr aus dem All?", Abendvortrag Planetarium
- more public talks on topics related to Solar System, asteroids, small bodies, trans-Neptunian objects, planet IX/X, asteroid impact risk, meteorites, ...
- Vereinsheim Schwabing, 25.2.2014: Zwischen den Planeten: Von Asteroiden und Kometen, Vortragsreihe Café & Kosmos
- "Reiche Beute für den Wanderfalken - Die Sonde Hayabusa-2 kehrt zur Erde zurück", Sterne und Weltraum, in press
- "Die hochporöse Oberfläche des Asteroiden Ryugu", Sterne und Weltraum, September 2020
- "Die Beute des Wanderfalken", Physik in unserer Zeit, vol. 50, issue 5, Sep. 2019, p.228-231; DOI
- "The Franconian Asteroid 7984 Marius", Chapter 18 in Simon Marius and his Research, Editors: H. Gaab & P. Leich, Historical & Cultural Astronomy, Springer Verlag, ISBN: 978-3-319-92620-9, 2018, p.437-447; DOI
- "Ein Wanderfalke im Königreich Ryugu", in Sterne und Weltraum, Juli 2018, p.34-38
- "Haumea: Überraschung mit Ring", in Regiomontanus Bote, Jan 2018, p.11-14
- Press release of the Max Planck Society (MPG): "Uranian moons in new light" & of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA): "Herschel and the Uranian moons", September 2020
- Organisation of Asteroid Day events in Munich/Garching in 2016, 2018, 2019
- BMW Press release: Meteorit an Bord: Der Astrophysiker (German & English), 03/2019
- Radio interview Bayerischer Rundfunk "Asteroidenmission Hayabusa 2: Unterwegs zum Asteroiden, 06/2018
- Press article on "The Halloween asteroid prepares to return in 2018", SINC Science, Spain, 12/2017
- Der nimmermüde Flugfels: Oumuamua liefert spannende Erkenntnisse über Asteroiden (pdf), interview, Campus Spiegel 12/2017
- Ring um Zwergplaneten entdeckt, MPE & MPG press release, 10/2017
- N24 TV documentary on "Asteroiden: Die Bedrohung aus dem Weltall", 07/2016
- Lehrerfortbildung "50 Jahre Mondlandung", "Asteroiden: Gefahr aus dem All?", ESO Supernova, 13.5.2019
- Lehrerfortbildung "Astronomie u. Kosmologie", "Die dunkle Seite des Sonnensystems 1 & 2", Dt. Museum/Kerschensteiner Kolleg, 21-25.01.19
Related asteroid names:

Sports activities

Running, Triathlon, Skiing, Juggling,

Deutsches Sportabzeichen (since 2011)
Co-organizer & supporter for sports events (running, triathlon)
ESAC Runner's Club (founding member 1999; president 1999-2001): Runner's Club of the European Space Agency ESA in Villafranca/Spain
Juggling (since 1989) & Unicycle (since 1990) & Slack Line (since 2018)
Cross country skiing & Skating (since 1987)
Triathlon (1985-2000): usually Olympic distances (1.5-40-10), more than 100 competitions, about 50 times top-3 (10 times overall winner);
Triathlon trainer licence; Teams: SV05 Würzburg, SV Nikar Heidelberg
Racing bike & MTB (since 1984): C-Licence (1987/88); Teams: SG Dittelbrunn, SV05 Würzburg
Track and field athletics (since 1980): Focus on endurance & coordination disciplines; Personal best: 1000 Meter (2:37 min), 10 km (32:47 min);
general trainer licence; Teams: TSV Bad Königshofen, HSV Birnfeld, MRRC, VfR Garching, TSV Ismaning
Soccer (since 1978): HSV Birnfeld

Last modified by T.G. Müller on Thu Oct 15 10:11:19 CEST 2020