Dr Nick Cooper
Honorary Research Fellow
Email: n.cooper@qmul.ac.uk
Room Number: G. O. Jones Building, Room 227
Profile
I have a broad interest in astronomy from the planetary to the galactic scale, with a particular emphasis on imaging and dynamics.
As an Imaging Team associate on the Cassini-Huygens mission from 2002 to 2017, I worked with my QMUL colleague Prof Carl Murray on the dynamical evolution of the rings and inner moons of Saturn. I currently have active research collaborations with colleagues at the Paris Observatory, and Jinan University (China) and have had invited positions at the Paris Observatory, University of Lille and Jinan University.
Teaching
I have taught mainly at postgraduate level, specialising in galactic astronomy and solar system dynamics, as part of the MSc in Astrophysics at QMUL.
Undergraduate Teaching
2016-17 : Tutorials SPA4101 Our Universe
Postgraduate Teaching
2020-21
- SPA7010 The Galaxy (MSc Astrophysics/MSci Physics) : lecturer
- SPA7020 Research Methods (MSc Astrophysics/MSci Physics) : deputy
2019-20
- SPA7010 The Galaxy (MSc Astrophysics/MSci Physics) : lecturer
- SPA7022 Solar System (MSc Astrophysics/MSci Physics) : deputy
- SPA7020 Research Methods (MSc Astrophysics/MSci Physics) : deputy
2018-19
- SPA7010 The Galaxy (MSc Astrophysics/MSci Physics) : lecturer
2017-18
- SPA7010 The Galaxy (MSc Astrophysics/MSci Physics) : lecturer
Research
Research Interests:
My research is mainly focused on studying the origin and dynamical evolution of the moons and rings of the giant planets in our solar system.
Since 2002, I have been working with Prof. Carl Murray at QMUL. Our work has been centered around using the Cassini Spacecraft to image the rings and small inner satellites of Saturn in order to study their dynamical and physical evolution, with particular emphasis on Saturn's weird and wonderful F Ring. Having access to a spacecraft orbiting Saturn has given us an unprecedented opportunity to watch this system evolve in situ for almost 13 years - a sort of living laboratory. Here is a news report on some past work: Cassini-images-ring-arcs-among-saturns-moons
In addition to working as an associate on the Cassini Imaging Team, I work closely with colleagues at the IMCCE, based at both the Paris Observatory and the Lille Observatory, as well as JPL/Caltech, and Jinan University (China). Together, we have an international group dedicated to using ground-based and spacecraft imaging data to constrain the dynamical timescale and internal processes of the Saturn system (http://www.issibern.ch/teams/saturnastrometry/).
Publications
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Cuzzi JN, Marouf EA, French RG et al. (2024). Saturn’s F ring is intermittently shepherded by Prometheus.
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Lainey V, Dewberry JW, Fuller J et al. (2024). Tidal frequency dependence of the Saturnian k2 Love number.
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Lainey V, Rambaux N, Tobie G et al. (2024). A recently formed ocean inside Saturn’s moon Mimas.
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Lainey V, Rambaux N, Cooper N et al. (2023). Characterising the interior of five inner Saturnian moons using Cassini ISS data⋆.
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Rambaux N, Lainey V, Cooper N et al. (2022). Spherical harmonic decomposition and interpretation of the shapes of the small Saturnian inner moons★.
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Zhang QF, Qin WH, Ma YL et al. (2022). Complementary astrometry of Cassini Imaging Science Subsystem images of phoebe.
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Zhang QF, Zhou XM, Tan Y et al. (2021). A Comparison of Centering Algorithms in the Astrometry of Cassini Imaging Science Subsystem Images and Anthe’s Astrometric Reduction.
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Lainey V, Casajus LG, Fuller J et al. (2020). Publisher Correction: Resonance locking in giant planets indicated by the rapid orbital expansion of Titan.
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Lainey V, Gomez Casajus L, Fuller J et al. (2020). Resonance locking in giant planets indicated by the rapid orbital expansion of Titan.
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Tiscareno MS, Nicholson PD, Cuzzi JN et al. (2019). Close-range remote sensing of Saturn’s rings during Cassini’s ring grazing orbits and grand finale.