Richard Hester
Contact Info
- Name
- Richard Hester
- Office Number
- Exploratory Hall, Room 3409
Affiliations
Departments
- J. Shukla Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Earth Sciences (Postdoctoral Fellow)
- Physics & Astronomy Department (Postdoctoral Fellow)
Research Areas
- Astronomy
- Astrophysics
- Physics
- Planetary Science
- Orbital Dynamics
Education
PhD Physics and Astronomy, George Mason University (2025)
MS Physics, University of Washington (2005)
BS International Affairs, Georgia Institute of Technology (1992)
About
Over many years supporting Earth system observation, modeling and prediction, I developed a long-standing interest in the unsolved problem of decadal variability in the solar system. I now primarily conduct research that re-examines the treatment of angular momentum in solar system dynamics, and the precise determination of inertial forces in astrophysical and geophysical fluids.
Current Research
One current focus is the set of secular oscillations known to occur in orbital dynamics on millennial and million year timescales. Another is the precise character and circulation effects of inertial forces in the solar convection zone.
Selected Publications
A Dynamic Equilibrium Theory for Zonal Circulation in the Solar Convection Zone, R. Hester, J. Zhang, M. Dikpati, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Vol 538, Issue 1, March 2025, pp 165-180, https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/staf236
A Generalized Ekman Theory for Meridional Circulation in the Solar Convection Zone, R. Hester, J. Zhang, M. Dikpati, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 2026, pp. 1-16, https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stag343
Awards
Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award (2026)
NOAA Corps Meritorious Service Medal (2019)
National Science Foundation Antarctic Service Medal (2017)
Contact Info
- Name
- Richard Hester
- Office Number
- Exploratory Hall, Room 3409