World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!

D-Index & Metrics

Environmental Sciences

D-Index
67
Citations
15523
World Ranking
1985
National Ranking
822

W. K. Peterson publication distribution in Environmental Sciences in 2026

The chart shows the distribution of publications by all Research.com ranked scientists in the field of Environmental Sciences in 2026. The highlighted bar marks where W. K. Peterson sits on this spectrum.

41–50 publications: 21 scientists 51–60 publications: 62 scientists 61–70 publications: 133 scientists 71–80 publications: 257 scientists 81–90 publications: 361 scientists 91–100 publications: 440 scientists 101–110 publications: 492 scientists 111–120 publications: 541 scientists 121–130 publications: 617 scientists 131–140 publications: 544 scientists 141–150 publications: 541 scientists 151–160 publications: 539 scientists 161–170 publications: 444 scientists 171–180 publications: 444 scientists 181–190 publications: 400 scientists 191–200 publications: 377 scientists 201–210 publications: 318 scientists 211–220 publications: 283 scientists 221–230 publications: 263 scientists 231–240 publications: 220 scientists 241–250 publications: 217 scientists 251–260 publications: 180 scientists 261–270 publications: 181 scientists 271–280 publications: 155 scientists 281–290 publications: 130 scientists 291–300 publications: 127 scientists 301–310 publications: 130 scientists 311–320 publications: 85 scientists 321–330 publications: 106 scientists 331–340 publications: 80 scientists 341–350 publications: 83 scientists 351–360 publications: 75 scientists 361–370 publications: 69 scientists 371–380 publications: 52 scientists 381–390 publications: 54 scientists 391–400 publications: 56 scientists 401–410 publications: 44 scientists 411–420 publications: 40 scientists 421–430 publications: 36 scientists 431–440 publications: 25 scientists 441–450 publications: 25 scientists 451–460 publications: 32 scientists 461–470 publications: 29 scientists 471–480 publications: 21 scientists 481–490 publications: 26 scientists 491–500 publications: 25 scientists 501–510 publications: 17 scientists 511–520 publications: 18 scientists 521–530 publications: 15 scientists 531–540 publications: 22 scientists 541–550 publications: 12 scientists 551–560 publications: 15 scientists 561–570 publications: 11 scientists 571–580 publications: 19 scientists 581–590 publications: 9 scientists 591–600 publications: 9 scientists 601–610 publications: 7 scientists 611–620 publications: 11 scientists 621–630 publications: 5 scientists 631–640 publications: 5 scientists 641–650 publications: 6 scientists 651–660 publications: 3 scientists 661–670 publications: 3 scientists 671–680 publications: 4 scientists 681–686 publications: 3 scientists 687+ publications: 100 scientists
41 publications 687+

This scientist: 316 publications — 88th percentile

88% of scientists in this discipline score the same or lower.

The last bar groups every scientist with 687 publications or more.

W. K. Peterson D-index placement in Environmental Sciences in 2026

The chart shows the D-index (discipline H-index) distribution of Environmental Sciences scientists ranked by Research.com in 2026. The highlighted bar marks where W. K. Peterson sits on this spectrum.

30 D-Index: 12 scientists 31 D-Index: 26 scientists 32 D-Index: 51 scientists 33 D-Index: 88 scientists 34 D-Index: 123 scientists 35 D-Index: 163 scientists 36 D-Index: 206 scientists 37 D-Index: 267 scientists 38 D-Index: 265 scientists 39 D-Index: 275 scientists 40 D-Index: 321 scientists 41 D-Index: 343 scientists 42 D-Index: 305 scientists 43 D-Index: 336 scientists 44 D-Index: 330 scientists 45 D-Index: 348 scientists 46 D-Index: 291 scientists 47 D-Index: 275 scientists 48 D-Index: 272 scientists 49 D-Index: 273 scientists 50 D-Index: 263 scientists 51 D-Index: 232 scientists 52 D-Index: 266 scientists 53 D-Index: 217 scientists 54 D-Index: 199 scientists 55 D-Index: 177 scientists 56 D-Index: 202 scientists 57 D-Index: 204 scientists 58 D-Index: 166 scientists 59 D-Index: 177 scientists 60 D-Index: 166 scientists 61 D-Index: 152 scientists 62 D-Index: 143 scientists 63 D-Index: 150 scientists 64 D-Index: 124 scientists 65 D-Index: 119 scientists 66 D-Index: 120 scientists 67 D-Index: 118 scientists 68 D-Index: 82 scientists 69 D-Index: 98 scientists 70 D-Index: 94 scientists 71 D-Index: 105 scientists 72 D-Index: 74 scientists 73 D-Index: 84 scientists 74 D-Index: 70 scientists 75 D-Index: 67 scientists 76 D-Index: 78 scientists 77 D-Index: 60 scientists 78 D-Index: 59 scientists 79 D-Index: 52 scientists 80 D-Index: 47 scientists 81 D-Index: 38 scientists 82 D-Index: 48 scientists 83 D-Index: 42 scientists 84 D-Index: 42 scientists 85 D-Index: 43 scientists 86 D-Index: 29 scientists 87 D-Index: 37 scientists 88 D-Index: 29 scientists 89 D-Index: 30 scientists 90 D-Index: 34 scientists 91 D-Index: 20 scientists 92 D-Index: 22 scientists 93 D-Index: 17 scientists 94 D-Index: 19 scientists 95 D-Index: 24 scientists 96 D-Index: 21 scientists 97 D-Index: 20 scientists 98 D-Index: 24 scientists 99 D-Index: 17 scientists 100 D-Index: 17 scientists 101 D-Index: 21 scientists 102 D-Index: 25 scientists 103 D-Index: 18 scientists 104 D-Index: 26 scientists 105 D-Index: 19 scientists 106 D-Index: 15 scientists 107 D-Index: 10 scientists 108 D-Index: 13 scientists 109 D-Index: 15 scientists 110 D-Index: 12 scientists 111 D-Index: 8 scientists 112 D-Index: 7 scientists 113 D-Index: 9 scientists 114 D-Index: 6 scientists 115 D-Index: 12 scientists 116 D-Index: 7 scientists 117 D-Index: 8 scientists 118 D-Index: 3 scientists 119 D-Index: 5 scientists 120 D-Index: 7 scientists 121 D-Index: 2 scientists 122 D-Index: 4 scientists 123 D-Index: 8 scientists 124 D-Index: 7 scientists 125+ D-Index: 99 scientists
30 D-Index 125+

This scientist: 67 D-Index — 80th percentile

80% of scientists in this discipline score the same or lower.

The last bar groups every scientist with 125 D-Index or more.

Research.com Recognitions

  • 2015 - Fellow of American Geophysical Union (AGU)

Overview

W. K. Peterson is affiliated with the University of Colorado Boulder in the United States. Their research primarily spans the field of Physics and Astronomy, with a focus on Astronomy and Astrophysics. Their work intersects multiple subfields and topics including Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine.

The scientist's main research interests cover a variety of subjects connected to space and planetary sciences. Key topics of their work include:

  • Astro and Planetary Science
  • Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics
  • Planetary Science and Exploration
  • Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics
  • Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
  • Radiation Therapy and Dosimetry
  • Optimal Power Flow Distribution

Their frequent co-authors are:

  • A. W. Yau
  • Y. Dong
  • M. E. Wysession
  • Nancy B. Grimm
  • Eileen E. Hofmann

W. K. Peterson's work has appeared in several publication venues. The most frequent venues include:

  • Perspectives of Earth and Space Scientists
  • Journal of Geophysical Research Space Physics
  • Geophysical Research Letters
  • Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences
  • 2022 IEEE PES Innovative Smart Grid Technologies Conference Europe (ISGT-Europe)

Important recent papers authored or co-authored by W. K. Peterson include:

  • "Perspective on Energetic and Thermal Atmospheric Photoelectrons," 2021, Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences
  • "Subsolar Electron Temperatures in the Lower Martian Ionosphere," 2020, Journal of Geophysical Research Space Physics
  • "Atmospheric Escape From Earth and Mars: Response to Solar and Solar Wind Drivers of Oxygen Escape," 2024, Geophysical Research Letters

Other related works connected by frequent co-authors include:

  • "Ionospheric Ion Acceleration and Transport," 2021, Geophysical Monograph
  • "Solar and Solar Wind Energy Drivers for O+ and O2+ ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}^{+}$ Ion Escape at Mars," 2024, Journal of Geophysical Research Space Physics

W. K. Peterson has been recognized by the American Geophysical Union as a Fellow since 2015.

Best Publications

  • The plasma sheet boundary layer

    T. E. Eastman;L. A. Frank;W. K. Peterson;W. Lennartsson

  • The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) Mission

    Bruce M. Jakosky;R. P. Lin;J. M. Grebowsky;J. G. Luhmann

  • FAST satellite observations of large‐amplitude solitary structures

    R. E. Ergun;C. W. Carlson;J. P. McFadden;F. S. Mozer

  • The theta aurora

    L. A. Frank;J. D. Craven;D. A. Gurnett;S. D. Shawhan

  • FAST observations in the downward auroral current region: Energetic upgoing electron beams, parallel potential drops, and ion heating

    C. W. Carlson;J. P. McFadden;R. E. Ergun;M. Temerin

  • FAST satellite observations of electric field structures in the auroral zone

    R. E. Ergun;C. W. Carlson;J. P. McFadden;F. S. Mozer

  • Loss of the Martian atmosphere to space: Present-day loss rates determined from MAVEN observations and integrated loss through time

    Bruce Jakosky;David Brain;Michael Chaffin;Shannon M. Curry

  • Energetic Auroral and Polar Ion Outflow at DE 1 Altitudes' Magnitude, Composition, Magnetic Activity Dependence, and Long-Term Variations

    A. W. Yau;E. G. Shelley;W. K. Peterson;L. Lenchyshyn

  • Polar spacecraft based comparisons of intense electric fields and Poynting flux near and within the plasma sheet-tail lobe boundary to UVI images: An energy source for the aurora

    J. R. Wygant;A. Keiling;C. A. Cattell;M. Johnson

  • MAVEN observations of the response of Mars to an interplanetary coronal mass ejection

    Bruce M. Jakosky;Joseph M. Grebowsky;Janet G. Luhmann;J. Connerney

  • FAST satellite wave observations in the AKR source region

    R. E. Ergun;C. W. Carlson;J. P. McFadden;F. S. Mozer

  • Comparisons of Polar satellite observations of solitary wave velocities in the plasma sheet boundary and the high altitude cusp to those in the auroral zone

    Cynthia A Cattell;John P Dombeck;John R Wygant;M. K. Hudson

  • Funnel-shaped, low-frequency equatorial waves

    S. A. Boardsen;D. L. Gallagher;D. A. Gurnett;W. K. Peterson

  • Ion streams in the magnetotail

    R. D. Sharp;D. L. Carr;W. K. Peterson;E. G. Shelley

  • Electron density depletions in the nightside auroral zone

    A. M. Persoon;D. A. Gurnett;W. K. Peterson;J. H. Waite

  • Distribution of upflowing ionospheric ions in the high‐altitude polar cap and auroral ionosphere

    A. W. Yau;B. A. Whalen;W. K. Peterson;E. G. Shelley

  • The Toroidal Imaging Mass-Angle Spectrograph (TIMAS) for the POLAR Mission

    E. G. Shelley;A. G. Ghielmetti;H. Balsiger;R. K. Black

  • Direct evidence for two-stage (bimodal) acceleration of ionospheric ions

    D. M. Klumpar;W. K. Peterson;E. G. Shelley

  • HEUVAC: A new high resolution solar EUV proxy model

    Philip G. Richards;Thomas N. Woods;William K. Peterson

  • Long-Term (Solar Cycle) and Seasonal Variations of Upflowing Ionospheric Ion Events at DE 1 Altitudes

    A. W. Yau;P. H. Beckwith;W. K. Peterson;E. G. Shelley

Frequent Co-Authors

E. G. Shelley
E. G. Shelley Lockheed Martin (United States)
Robert E. Ergun
Robert E. Ergun University of Colorado Boulder
Christopher T. Russell
Christopher T. Russell University of California, Los Angeles
F. S. Mozer
F. S. Mozer University of California, Berkeley
J. P. McFadden
J. P. McFadden University of California, Berkeley
C. W. Carlson
C. W. Carlson University of California, Berkeley
Thomas N. Woods
Thomas N. Woods University of Colorado Boulder
James L. Burch
James L. Burch Southwest Research Institute
Daniel N. Baker
Daniel N. Baker University of Colorado Boulder
D. A. Gurnett
D. A. Gurnett University of Iowa

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