View All People
Solar Physicist; System Engineer; Project Manager
  • PhD, Natural Science, Solar Physics
    1997, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich
  • Master of Science, Physics
    1992, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich

Extensive background in physics, computer programming, and optics.  Experience in project management, and systems engineering.  My main field of expertise is solar physics.  My experience includes: development of optical instrumentation for measuring solar surface magnetic fields, and imaging solar irradiance.  I have an extensive experience in image processing and data analysis.

I also have extensive experience in designing and managing scientific missions to be flown on stratospheric balloons.  This includes development of observing platform and scientific instruments to be carried on-board, as well as managing/leading the integration, testing and flight.  In this context I additionally have large experience in designing and implementing real-time command and control software for balloon missions.

Notable Awards and Leadership

Year(s) Description
2001 - Present Member of American Geophysical Union (AGU)
2000 - Present Member of American Astronomical Society, Solar Physics Division (SPD)
2000 - Present Member of The International Society for Optical Engineering (SPIE)
2015 NASA Group Achievement Award to BOPPS Mission Team for Planetary Science

Scholarly Publications

A Comparative Evaluation of Automated Solar Filament Detection

Solar Physics, 2014
M. A. Schuh, J. M. Banda, P. N. Bernasconi, R. A. Angryk, P. C. H. Martens, (2014), A Comparative Evaluation of Automated Solar Filament Detection, Solar Physics, 289, 2503-2524

Computer Vision for the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)

Solar Physics, 2012
P. C. H. Martens, G. D. R. Attrill, A. R. Davey, A. Engell, S. Farid, P. C. Grigis, J. Kasper, K. Korreck, S. H. Saar, A. Savcheva, Y. Su, P. Testa, M. Wills-Davey, P. N. Bernasconi, N. -E. Raouafi, V. A. Delouille, J. F. Hochedez, J. W. Cirtain, C. E. DeForest, R. A. Angryk, I. De Moortel, T. Wiegelmann, M. K. Georgoulis, R. T. J. McAteer, R. P. Timmons, (2012), Computer Vision for the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), Solar Physics, 275, 79-113

Micro-Sigmoids as Progenitors of Polar Coronal Jets

Hinode-3: the 3rd Hinode Science Meeting, 2012
N. -E. Raouafi, P. N. Bernasconi, D. M. Rust, M. K. Georgoulis, T Sekii, T Watanabe, T Sakurai, (2012), Micro-Sigmoids as Progenitors of Polar Coronal Jets, Hinode-3: the 3rd Hinode Science Meeting, 454, 299-302

MICRO-SIGMOIDS AS PROGENITORS OF CORONAL JETS: IS ERUPTIVE ACTIVITY SELF-SIMILARLY MULTI-SCALED?

Astrophysical Journal, 2010
N. -E. Raouafi, M. K. Georgoulis, D. M. Rust, P. N. Bernasconi, (2010), MICRO-SIGMOIDS AS PROGENITORS OF CORONAL JETS: IS ERUPTIVE ACTIVITY SELF-SIMILARLY MULTI-SCALED?, Astrophysical Journal, 718, 981-987

SOLAR MAGNETIC HELICITY INJECTED INTO THE HELIOSPHERE: MAGNITUDE, BALANCE, AND PERIODICITIES OVER SOLAR CYCLE 23

Astrophysical Journal Letters, 2009
M. K. Georgoulis, D. M. Rust, A. A. Pevtsov, P. N. Bernasconi, K. M. Kuzanyan, (2009), SOLAR MAGNETIC HELICITY INJECTED INTO THE HELIOSPHERE: MAGNITUDE, BALANCE, AND PERIODICITIES OVER SOLAR CYCLE 23, Astrophysical Journal Letters, 705, L48-L52

Do photospheric brightness structures outside magnetic flux tubes contribute to solar luminosity variation?

Solar Physics, 2008
Peter Foukal, Pietro N. Bernasconi, (2008), Do photospheric brightness structures outside magnetic flux tubes contribute to solar luminosity variation?, Solar Physics, 248, 1-15

Observing the solar corona with a tunable Fabry-Perot filter

Applied Optics, 2008
Matthew W. Noble, David M. Rust, Pietro N. Bernasconi, Jay M. Pasachoff, Bryce A. Babcock, Megan A. Bruck, (2008), Observing the solar corona with a tunable Fabry-Perot filter, Applied Optics, 47, 5744-5749

Advanced automated solar filament detection and characterization code: Description, performance, and results

Solar Physics, 2005
PN Bernasconi, DM Rust, D Hakim, (2005), Advanced automated solar filament detection and characterization code: Description, performance, and results, Solar Physics, 228, 97-117

Science-driven innovation: Developing the right tools for solar research

Johns Hopkins Apl Technical Digest, 2005
PN Bernasconi, DM Rust, BJ LaBonte, MK Georgoulis, (2005), Science-driven innovation: Developing the right tools for solar research, Johns Hopkins Apl Technical Digest, 26, 132-142

Space weather forecasting in the exploration era

Johns Hopkins Apl Technical Digest, 2005
DM Rust, MK Georgoulis, PN Bernasconi, BJ LaBonte, (2005), Space weather forecasting in the exploration era, Johns Hopkins Apl Technical Digest, 26, 123-131

BROADBAND MEASUREMENTS OF FACULAR PHOTOMETRIC CONTRAST USING THE SOLAR BOLOMETRIC IMAGER

Astrophysical Journal, 2004
Peter Foukal, Pietro Bernasconi, Harry Eaton, David Rust, (2004), BROADBAND MEASUREMENTS OF FACULAR PHOTOMETRIC CONTRAST USING THE SOLAR BOLOMETRIC IMAGER, Astrophysical Journal, 611

Resistive emergence of undulatory flux tubes

Astrophysical Journal, 2004
E Pariat, G Aulanier, B Schmieder, MK Georgoulis, DM Rust, PN Bernasconi, (2004), Resistive emergence of undulatory flux tubes, Astrophysical Journal, 614, 1099-1112

Emerging flux and the heating of coronal loops

Astrophysical Journal, 2004
B Schmieder, DM Rust, MK Georgoulis, P Demoulin, PN Bernasconi, (2004), Emerging flux and the heating of coronal loops, Astrophysical Journal, 601, 530-545

Solar constraints on new couplings between electromagnetism and gravity

Physical Review D, 2004
SK Solanki, O Preuss, MP Haugan, A Gandorfer, HP Povel, P Steiner, K Stucki, PN Bernasconi, D Soltau, (2004), Solar constraints on new couplings between electromagnetism and gravity, Physical Review D, 69

Moving dipolar features in an emerging flux region

Solar Physics, 2002
PN Bernasconi, DM Rust, MK Georgoulis, BJ Labonte, (2002), Moving dipolar features in an emerging flux region, Solar Physics, 209, 119-139

Statistics, morphology, and energetics of Ellerman bombs

Astrophysical Journal, 2002
MK Georgoulis, DM Rust, PN Bernasconi, B Schmieder, (2002), Statistics, morphology, and energetics of Ellerman bombs, Astrophysical Journal, 575, 506-528

Complex magnetic fields in an active region

Astronomy & Astrophysics, 1998
PN Bernasconi, CU Keller, SK Solanki, JO Stenflo, (1998), Complex magnetic fields in an active region, Astronomy & Astrophysics, 329, 704-720

Inversion of Stokes vector profiles in terms of a 3-component model

Solar Physics, 1996
PN Bernasconi, SK Solanki, (1996), Inversion of Stokes vector profiles in terms of a 3-component model, Solar Physics, 164, 277-290

DIRECT MEASUREMENTS OF FLUX TUBE INCLINATIONS IN SOLAR PLAGES

Astronomy & Astrophysics, 1995
PN BERNASCONI, CU KELLER, HP POVEL, JO STENFLO, (1995), DIRECT MEASUREMENTS OF FLUX TUBE INCLINATIONS IN SOLAR PLAGES, Astronomy & Astrophysics, 302, 533-542