World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!
Tomokatsu Morota

Tomokatsu Morota

D-Index & Metrics

Earth Science

D-Index
44
Citations
8864
World Ranking
4643
National Ranking
114

Overview

Tomokatsu Morota is affiliated with Nagoya University in Japan and specializes in fields related to physics, astronomy, earth, and planetary sciences. Their research focuses primarily on astronomy and astrophysics, with significant contributions to atmospheric science, ecology, geophysics, and aerospace engineering.

The scientist has published extensively on topics including astro and planetary science, planetary science and exploration, geology and paleoclimatology research, isotope analysis in ecology, geological and geochemical analysis, stellar, planetary, and galactic studies, as well as space science and extraterrestrial life.

Morota's recent important papers include the following:

  • "Preliminary analysis of the Hayabusa2 samples returned from C-type asteroid Ryugu," 2021, Nature Astronomy
  • "An artificial impact on the asteroid (162173) Ryugu formed a crater in the gravity-dominated regime," 2020, Science
  • "Samples returned from the asteroid Ryugu are similar to Ivuna-type carbonaceous meteorites," 2022, Science
  • "Sample collection from asteroid (162173) Ryugu by Hayabusa2: Implications for surface evolution," 2020, Science
  • "Soluble organic molecules in samples of the carbonaceous asteroid (162173) Ryugu," 2023, Science

Frequent co-authors in Morota's research collaborations include:

  • Seiji Sugita
  • Eri Tatsumi
  • Naoya Sakatani
  • M. Matsuoka
  • Rie Honda

Morota has published across various venues, with the most frequent being:

  • Icarus
  • Science
  • Nature Astronomy
  • Earth Planets and Space
  • Journal of Geophysical Research Planets

The scientist's work contributes notably to understanding asteroid composition, surface evolution, and the geochemical and organic characteristics of returned samples from celestial bodies such as asteroid Ryugu, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach within planetary science and exploration.

Best Publications

  • Hayabusa2 arrives at the carbonaceous asteroid 162173 Ryugu—A spinning top–shaped rubble pile

    S. Watanabe;S. Watanabe;M. Hirabayashi;N. Hirata;Na. Hirata

  • The geomorphology, color, and thermal properties of Ryugu: Implications for parent-body processes

    S. Sugita;S. Sugita;R. Honda;T. Morota;S. Kameda

  • The global distribution of pure anorthosite on the Moon

    Makiko Ohtake;Tsuneo Matsunaga;Junichi Haruyama;Yasuhiro Yokota

  • Formation and evolution of carbonaceous asteroid Ryugu: Direct evidence from returned samples

    Unknown

  • The surface composition of asteroid 162173 Ryugu from Hayabusa2 near-infrared spectroscopy

    K. Kitazato;R. E. Milliken;T. Iwata;T. Iwata;M. Abe;M. Abe

  • Global lunar-surface mapping experiment using the Lunar Imager/Spectrometer on SELENE

    Junichi Haruyama;Tsuneo Matsunaga;Makiko Ohtake;Tomokatsu Morota

  • An artificial impact on the asteroid (162173) Ryugu formed a crater in the gravity-dominated regime

    M. Arakawa;T. Saiki;K. Wada;K. Ogawa;K. Ogawa

  • Possible mantle origin of olivine around lunar impact basins detected by SELENE

    Satoru Yamamoto;Ryosuke Nakamura;Tsuneo Matsunaga;Yoshiko Ogawa

  • Possible lunar lava tube skylight observed by SELENE cameras

    Junichi Haruyama;Kazuyuki Hioki;Motomaro Shirao;Tomokatsu Morota

  • On the origin and evolution of the asteroid Ryugu: A comprehensive geochemical perspective

    Unknown

  • Pebbles and sand on asteroid (162173) Ryugu: In situ observation and particles returned to Earth

    Unknown

  • Long-Lived Volcanism on the Lunar Farside Revealed by SELENE Terrain Camera

    Junichi Haruyama;Makiko Ohtake;Tsuneo Matsunaga;Tomokatsu Morota

  • Sample collection from asteroid (162173) Ryugu by Hayabusa2: Implications for surface evolution

    T. Morota;T. Morota;S. Sugita;S. Sugita;Y. Cho;M. Kanamaru

  • Timing and characteristics of the latest mare eruption on the Moon

    Tomokatsu Morota;Junichi Haruyama;Makiko Ohtake;Tsuneo Matsunaga

  • Performance and scientific objectives of the SELENE (KAGUYA) Multiband Imager

    Makiko Ohtake;Junichi Haruyama;Tsuneo Matsunaga;Yasuhiro Yokota

  • Massive layer of pure anorthosite on the Moon

    S. Yamamoto;R. Nakamura;T. Matsunaga;Y. Ogawa

  • Boulder size and shape distributions on asteroid Ryugu

    Tatsuhiro Michikami;Chikatoshi Honda;Hideaki Miyamoto;Masatoshi Hirabayashi

  • Highly porous nature of a primitive asteroid revealed by thermal imaging

    Tatsuaki Okada;Tatsuaki Okada;Tetsuya Fukuhara;Satoshi Tanaka;Satoshi Tanaka;Satoshi Tanaka;Makoto Taguchi

  • Discoveries on the lithology of lunar crater central peaks by SELENE Spectral Profiler

    Tsuneo Matsunaga;Makiko Ohtake;Junichi Haruyama;Yoshiko Ogawa

  • Lunar photometric properties at wavelengths 0.5–1.6 μm acquired by SELENE Spectral Profiler and their dependency on local albedo and latitudinal zones

    Yasuhiro Yokota;Tsuneo Matsunaga;Makiko Ohtake;Junichi Haruyama

  • Images from the surface of asteroid Ryugu show rocks similar to carbonaceous chondrite meteorites

    R. Jaumann;R. Jaumann;N. Schmitz;T.-M. Ho;S. E. Schröder

  • Asymmetric crustal growth on the Moon indicated by primitive farside highland materials

    Makiko Ohtake;Hiroshi Takeda;Tsuneo Matsunaga;Yasuhiro Yokota

  • Lack of Exposed Ice Inside Lunar South Pole Shackleton Crater

    Junichi Haruyama;Makiko Ohtake;Tsuneo Matsunaga;Tomokatsu Morota

Frequent Co-Authors

Naru Hirata
Naru Hirata University of Aizu
Junichi Haruyama
Junichi Haruyama Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Tsuneo Matsunaga
Tsuneo Matsunaga National Institute for Environmental Studies
Yoshiaki Ishihara
Yoshiaki Ishihara Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Hideaki Miyamoto
Hideaki Miyamoto University of Tokyo
Takahiro Hiroi
Takahiro Hiroi Brown University
Tomoki Nakamura
Tomoki Nakamura Tohoku University
Sho Sasaki
Sho Sasaki Osaka University
Olivier S. Barnouin
Olivier S. Barnouin Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Goro Komatsu
Goro Komatsu International Research School of Planetary Sciences

If you think any of the details on this page are incorrect, let us know.

Report an issue

We appreciate your kind effort to assist us to improve this page, it would be helpful providing us with as much detail as possible in the text box below:

Related Online Degrees & Career Pathways

Exploring Earth Science through online education offers flexible pathways for students at all stages of life. Whether you're a veteran seeking to expand your skills or a senior interested in lifelong learning, there are tailored programs available. For example, many veterans benefit from online Spanish degree programs for veterans, which complement scientific studies with valuable language skills applicable in global environmental research.

Creative professionals might consider combining their interest in Earth Science with an online MFA degree to enhance science communication through multimedia and art. Additionally, career advancement in organizational roles related to environmental consulting or resource management can be supported by pursuing the best online master degree in human resource management, which develops leadership and administrative expertise.

For older learners, engaging with open university free courses for over 60s provides an opportunity to study Earth Science fundamentals without financial barriers, thus promoting continued education and intellectual growth. These diverse online degree options ensure accessibility, affordability, and relevance, making Earth Science a dynamic field with various career and personal development opportunities.

Best Scientists Citing Tomokatsu Morota

Trending Scientists