Dr Nick CooperHonorary Research FellowEmail: n.cooper@qmul.ac.ukRoom Number: G. O. Jones Building, Room 227ProfileTeachingResearchPublicationsProfileI 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. TeachingI have taught mainly at postgraduate level, specialising in galactic astronomy and solar system dynamics, as part of the MSc in Astrophysics at QMUL.Undergraduate Teaching2016-17 : Tutorials SPA4101 Our UniversePostgraduate Teaching2020-21 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 ResearchResearch 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 Cuzzi JN, Marouf EA, French RG et al. (2024). Saturn’s F ring is intermittently shepherded by Prometheus. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adl6601 QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/96823 Lainey V, Dewberry JW, Fuller J et al. (2024). Tidal frequency dependence of the Saturnian k2 Love number. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202449639 QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/96449 Lainey V, Rambaux N, Tobie G et al. (2024). A recently formed ocean inside Saturn’s moon Mimas. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06975-9 QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/94643 Lainey V, Rambaux N, Cooper N et al. (2023). Characterising the interior of five inner Saturnian moons using Cassini ISS data⋆. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202244757 QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/84905 Rambaux N, Lainey V, Cooper N et al. (2022). Spherical harmonic decomposition and interpretation of the shapes of the small Saturnian inner moons★. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202243355 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/82722 Zhang QF, Qin WH, Ma YL et al. (2022). Complementary astrometry of Cassini Imaging Science Subsystem images of phoebe. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1016/j.pss.2022.105553 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/80486 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. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stab1626 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/72950 Lainey V, Casajus LG, Fuller J et al. (2020). Publisher Correction: Resonance locking in giant planets indicated by the rapid orbital expansion of Titan. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1038/s41550-020-1149-5 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/65978 Lainey V, Gomez Casajus L, Fuller J et al. (2020). Resonance locking in giant planets indicated by the rapid orbital expansion of Titan. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1038/s41550-020-1120-5 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/64921 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. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1126/science.aau1017 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/58084 Araujo NCS, Renner S, Cooper NJ et al. (2019). The dynamics of the outer edge of Saturn’s A ring perturbed by the satellites Janus and Epimetheus. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stz1157 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/57698 Lainey V, Noyelles B, COOPER N et al. (2019). Interior properties of the inner Saturnian moons from space astrometry data. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2019.01.026 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/56274 Zhang QF, Lainey V, Cooper NJ et al. (2018). First astrometric reduction of Cassini Imaging Science Subsystem images using an automatic procedure: application to Enceladus images 2013-2017. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1093/mnras/sty2187 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/54657 Zhang QF, Lainey V, Vienne A et al. (2017). Astrometric Reduction of Cassini ISS Images of Enceladus in 2015 Based on Gaia DR1. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1017/s1743921317005555 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/56811 COOPER NJ, Lainey V, Meunier L-E et al. (2017). The Caviar Software Package for the Astrometric Reduction of Cassini ISS images: description and examples. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201731713 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/29010 Lainey V, Jacobson RA, Tajeddine R et al. (2017). New constraints on Saturn’s interior from Cassini astrometric data. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2016.07.014 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/15061 Renner S, Cooper NJ, El Moutamid M et al. (2016). Origin of the chaotic motion of the saturnian satellite atlas. nameOfConference DOI: 10.3847/0004-6256/151/5/122 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/13490 Tajeddine R, Lainey V, Cooper NJ et al. (2015). Cassini ISS astrometry of the Saturnian satellites: Tethys, Dione, Rhea, Iapetus, and Phoebe 2004-2012. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201425605 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/7545 Cooper NJ, Renner S, Murray CD et al. (2015). SATURNʼS INNER SATELLITES: ORBITS, MASSES, AND THE CHAOTIC MOTION OF ATLAS FROM NEW CASSINI IMAGING OBSERVATIONS. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1088/0004-6256/149/1/27 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/9585 Cooper NJ, Murray CD, Lainey V et al. (2014). Cassini ISS mutual event astrometry of the mid-sized Saturnian satellites 2005–2012⋆. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201424555 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/7665 Attree NO, Murray CD, Williams GA et al. (2014). A survey of low-velocity collisional features in Saturn's F ring. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2013.09.008 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/7383 Murray CD, Cooper NJ, Williams GA et al. (2014). The discovery and dynamical evolution of an object at the outer edge of Saturn's A ring. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2014.03.024 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/7568 Tajeddine R, Cooper NJ, Lainey V et al. (2013). Astrometric reduction of Cassini ISS images of the Saturnian satellites Mimas and Enceladus. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201220831 QMRO: qmroHref Cooper NJ, Murray CD, Williams GA (2013). LOCAL VARIABILITY IN THE ORBIT OF SATURN'S F RING. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1088/0004-6256/145/6/161 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/10714 Attree NO, Murray CD, Cooper NJ et al. (2012). DETECTION OF LOW-VELOCITY COLLISIONS IN SATURN'S F RING. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1088/2041-8205/755/2/L27 QMRO: qmroHref Beurle K, Murray CD, Williams GA et al. (2010). DIRECT EVIDENCE FOR GRAVITATIONAL INSTABILITY AND MOONLET FORMATION IN SATURN's RINGS. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1088/2041-8205/718/2/L176 QMRO: qmroHref Tiscareno MS, Burns JA, Sremcevic M et al. (2010). PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND NON-KEPLERIAN ORBITAL MOTION OF "PROPELLER" MOONS EMBEDDED IN SATURN'S RINGS. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1088/2041-8205/718/2/L92 QMRO: qmroHref Hedman MM, Cooper NJ, Murray CD et al. (2010). Aegaeon (Saturn LIII), a G-ring object. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2009.10.024 QMRO: qmroHref Hedman MM, Murray CD, Cooper NJ et al. (2009). Three tenuous rings/arcs for three tiny moons. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2008.11.001 QMRO: qmroHref Chávez CE, Murray CD, Beurle K et al. (2008). Observed channels in saturn's F ring by the cassini spacecraft and their relationship to prometheus. nameOfConference DOI: doi QMRO: qmroHref Murray CD, Beurle K, Cooper NJ et al. (2008). The determination of the structure of Saturn's F ring by nearby moonlets.. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1038/nature06999 QMRO: qmroHref Cooper NJ, Murray CD, Evans MW et al. (2008). Astrometry and dynamics of Anthe (S/2007 S 4), a new satellite of Saturn. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2008.01.006 QMRO: qmroHref Jacobson RA, Spitale J, Porco CC et al. (2008). Revised orbits of Saturn's small inner satellites. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1088/0004-6256/135/1/261 QMRO: qmroHref Cooper NJ, Murray CD, Porco CC et al. (2006). Cassini ISS astrometric observations of the inner jovian satellites, Amalthea and Thebe. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2005.11.007 QMRO: qmroHref Murray CD, Cooper NJ, Evans MW et al. (2005). S/2004 S 5: A new co-orbital companion for Dione. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2005.06.009 QMRO: qmroHref Murray CD, Chavez C, Beurle K et al. (2005). How Prometheus creates structure in Saturn's F ring.. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1038/nature04212 QMRO: qmroHref Porco CC, Baker E, Barbara J et al. (2005). Imaging of Titan from the Cassini spacecraft. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1038/nature03436 QMRO: qmroHref Porco CC, Baker E, Barbara J et al. (2005). Cassini Imaging Science: Initial results on Phoebe and Iapetus. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1126/science.1107981 QMRO: qmroHref Porco CC, Baker E, Barbara J et al. (2005). Cassini Imaging Science: Initial results on Saturn's atmosphere. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1126/science.1107691 QMRO: qmroHref Porco CC, Baker E, Barbara J et al. (2005). Cassini Imaging Science: Initial results on Saturn's rings and small satellites. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1126/science.1108056 QMRO: qmroHref Cooper NJ, Murray CD (2004). Dynamical influences on the orbits of Prometheus and Pandora. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1086/381071 QMRO: qmroHref