David J. Horne

  • Assistant Professor
    Physics Department

Watch a Biography of David Horne

I am an active physics and astronomy researcher, educator, broadcaster and planetarium operator,starting young at the age of 11 in the UK, I have amasssed nearly 40 years of experience in the field at all levels. I have operated a planetarium at the Universisity of Missouri-St.Louis and function as Gannon University's chief astronomer, contributing astronomical knowledge to Gannon's CLEER center's Science on a sphere system. I regularly deliver public talks on astronomy and space science.

I have previously worked at two NASA research centers and at universities in Ohio, Missouri, New York and Pennsylvania. I teach both physics and astronomy courses at Gannon University, Erie Campus, holding 3 degrees in Physics and Astrophysics and have made astronomical observations with Mars Global Surveyor and at major telescope facilities such as NASA’s IRTF and the Keck telescope.

I have conducted research into the atmosphere of Mars using the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft. He has made Infrared observations of protoplanetary disks, publishing evidence of methane in such systems and have conducted research on interstellar cloud chemistry.

I am an active eclipse researcher and educator, conducting experiments and public engagements at 3 total solar eclipses around the world and contributing to more.

I am a qualified Judo instructor, when I find the time to engage in such activities and also enjoy driving high speed watercraft. 
  • Introduction to Astronomy (PHYS 102)
  • College Physics 1 (PHYS 105)
  • College Physics 1 Laboratory (PHYS 106)
  • College Physics 2 (PHYS 108)
  • College Physics 2 Laboratory (PHYS 109)
  • Fundamentals of Physics 1 (PHYS 210)
  • Fundamentals of Physics 1 Laboratory (PHYS 211)
  • Fundamentals of Physics 2 (PHYS 212)
  • General Laboratory for Physics and Engineers (PHYS 218)
  • Physics Independent Studies (PHYS 300)
  • Ph.D., Physics (with concentration in Planetary Physics), University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA., 2007
  • M.S., Physics., University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA., 2004
  • BSc., Astrophysics University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK, 1999

 

• Extensive experience in Public Engagement of Science

• Brodcasting and Media Relations (Print, radio and television) for regional, national and international outlets

• Production of new customized public engagement material for the NOAA: Science on  Sphere system

• Experience with ATM-4, The Layered Earth & Starry night planetarium software and its use in producing professional pre-recorded shows

• Production of high-quality recorded lectures for Physics and Astronomy courses

• Use of large research telescope facilities (Keck, IRTF)

• Construction and implementation of atmospheric radiative transfer algorithms

• Engineering of original Scientific equipment inluding weather observation devices, telescopes and visual solar filters

Selected Journal articles:

  • Horne. D, ‘The Physics of Auto-Transforming Robot Toys: A laboratory investigation for high school or College Physics classes’, AAPT ‘The Physics Teacher’. Feb 1, 2025
  • Rogillio, C.: Schneider, N.: Lander, E.: Brady, J.: Michael, R.: Horne, D.: Gee, D.: “Design of an Outdoor Solar Eclipse Viewing Structure” Journal of Undergraduate Research in Physics and Astronomy Accepted: April 7, 2025, Publication Date:2025
  • Horne, D. King, B. Rogillio, C.,Schneider, N.,Lander, E., Brady, J.: “Building a Better View of the Solar Eclipse ” The SPS Observer, VOL VIII, Issue 3, Winter 2025
  • Horne, D. “Shadow of an April Moon in Erie, Pennsylvania” Bulletin of AAS: Science in the Shadow II: Mar 17, 2025 https://doi.org/10.3847/25c2cfeb.afceeee7
  • Horne. D, Conklin, N.B “Testing a Network of Low-Cost compact Weather Sensors to Contrast Ground level Atmospheric Changes During April 8th, 2024, Total Solar Eclipse” Bulletin of AAS: Science in the Shadow II: Feb 11, 2025 https://doi.org/10.3847/25c2cfeb.4c3ea087
  • Horne. D, Rogillio. C, Brady. J, Lander. E, Schneider. N, Gee. D & Devine. N. ‘Development and Deployment of Large Solar Viewing Window Structures for Safe Public Solar Eclipse Observation.’ Bulletin of the AAS: Celebrating the Wonder of Science in the Shadow II Dec 18, 2024 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3847/25c2cfeb.a6f9dcd5
  • Horne. D., Zheng. L., King. B., ‘A Simple, Cost effective Fluid Dynamics Apparatus for the classroom and Laboratory’: AAPT ‘The Physics Teacher’ Phys. Teach. 62, 330–334 (2024). May 2024 Awarded ‘Best of Issue’ Selected as issue ‘Featured Article’, Article featured on Journal cover with enhanced publicity and social media presence’ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1119/5.0132135
  • Horne, D., 76th: Gallery of Fluid Motion: V0023: Obstructions Placed in a Flowing 2-D Soap Film (White Light with 546.1nm Optical Filter) Meeting of the APS Division of Fluid Dynamics (Nov 19 - Nov 21, 2023) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/APS.DFD.2023.GFM.V0023
  • Miller, T. Horne, D. ‘From fable to fact: Characterizing the eclipse wind with the TriSonica Mini’, Li-Cor Connection: March 2024 https://www.licor.com/products/trisonica/case-studies/13-characterizing-the-solar-eclipse-wind
  • Gibb, E.L., Horne, D., 2013.  The Astrophysical Journal Letters, Volume 776, Issue 2, article id. L28, 5 pp. Detection of CH4 in the GV Tau N Protoplanetary Disk DOI: https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/link_gateway/2013ApJ...776L..28G/doi:10.1088/2041-8205/776/2/L28
  • Whittet D. C. B., Poteet, C. A., Chiar.J. E., Pagani.L., Bajaj.V. M., Horne.D., Shenoy, S. S and Adamson A. J. Ice and dust in the prestellar dark cloud Lynds 183: Preplanetary matter at the lowest temperatures 2013. DOI: 10.1088/0004-637X/774/2/102. The Astrophysical Journal, 774:102 (14pp) 
  • Horne, D., Gibb, E.L, Rettig, T., Brittain, S., Rettig, T.W., 2012. The Astrophysical Journal,Volume 754, Issue 1, article id. 64, 10 pp. (2012), DOI 10.1088/0004-637X/754/1/64 The Gas/Dust ratio of circumstellar Disks: Testing models of Planetesimal Formation 
  • Horne, D., Editors: Bristilo, S. and Madunic, Q., 2011, Dust Storms: Elemental Composition, Causes and Environmental Impacts: Chapter 7. Probing Dust Optical Depths over the Cold Polar Regions of Mars with the Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES), pp. 223-244.  https://www.novapublishers.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=11596 
  • Shenoy, S. S., Whittet D. C. B., Pendleton.Y.P, Boersma, C., 2011 Allamandola.,L.J., Horne.D., A Spitzer Survey of an Isolated Globule: DC314.8-5.1 Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union
  • Horne, D., Smith. M.D., 2008 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2008.11.007 Icarus, Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) observations of variations in atmospheric dust optical depth over cold surfaces
  • Horne, D., 2007, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1177653341 , Section 0232, Part 0606 132 pages; [Ph.D. dissertation] Publication Number: AAT 3264625. Source: DAI-B 68/05, Nov 2007: A method to obtain dust and ice cloud optical depths over the cold polar surfaces of Mars

 

  • Atmospheric Effects of Solar Eclipse Events
  • Design and Construction of Optical Equipment and Solar filter Systems
  • Vortex Interactions in 2-D Fluids
  • Astronomy and Space Science Media Engagement Methods
  • Planetarium/Science on a Sphere Show Development
  • Innovative Delivery of Physics/Astronomy Course Material
  • Chemistry of Circumstellar Disks and Interstellar Clouds
  • Physical Changes of the Martian Atmosphere
David J. Horne

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Office: Z 404

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