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 since 2002, I’ve been working with my QMUL colleague Prof Carl Murray on the dynamical evolution of the rings and inner moons of Saturn. I also have active research collaborations with colleagues at NASA-JPL, the Paris Observatory, Cornell University and Jinan University (China) and have had invited positions at the Paris Observatory and University of Lille.
Undergraduate Teaching
2016-17 : Tutorials for SPA 4101 Our Universe
Postgraduate Teaching
2017-18 : Teaching SPA7010 The Galaxy (MSc Astrophysics/MSci Physics)
2018-19 : Teaching SPA7010 The Galaxy (MSc Astrophysics/MSci Physics)
Research
Research Interests:
Currently, my research is 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 a member of the research group headed by 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: http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/newsreleases/newsrelease20140414/.
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. 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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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
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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
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Lainey V, Noyelles B, COOPER N et al. (2019). Interior properties of the inner Saturnian moons from space astrometry data. nameOfConference
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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
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Zhang QF, Lainey V, Vienne A et al. (2018). Astrometric Reduction of Cassini ISS Images of Enceladus in 2015 Based on Gaia DR1. nameOfConference
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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
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Lainey V, Jacobson RA, Tajeddine R et al. (2017). New constraints on Saturn’s interior from Cassini astrometric data. nameOfConference
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Renner S, Cooper NJ, El Moutamid M et al. (2016). Origin of the chaotic motion of the saturnian satellite atlas. nameOfConference
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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
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Cooper NJ, Renner S, Murray CD et al. (2015). Saturns inner satellites: Orbits, masses, and the chaotic motion of atlas from new cassini imaging observations. nameOfConference
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Cooper NJ, Murray CD, Lainey V et al. (2014). Cassini ISS mutual event astrometry of the mid-sized Saturnian satellites 2005-2012. nameOfConference
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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
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Attree NO, Murray CD, Williams GA et al. (2014). A survey of low-velocity collisional features in Saturn's F ring. nameOfConference
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Cooper NJ, Murray CD, Williams GA (2013). LOCAL VARIABILITY IN THE ORBIT OF SATURN'S F RING. nameOfConference
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Tajeddine R, Cooper NJ, Lainey V et al. (2013). Astrometric reduction of Cassini ISS images of the Saturnian satellites Mimas and Enceladus. nameOfConference
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Attree NO, Murray CD, Cooper NJ et al. (2012). DETECTION OF LOW-VELOCITY COLLISIONS IN SATURN'S F RING. nameOfConference
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Beurle K, Murray CD, Williams GA et al. (2010). DIRECT EVIDENCE FOR GRAVITATIONAL INSTABILITY AND MOONLET FORMATION IN SATURN's RINGS. nameOfConference
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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
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Hedman MM, Cooper NJ, Murray CD et al. (2010). Aegaeon (Saturn LIII), a G-ring object. nameOfConference
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Hedman MM, Murray CD, Cooper NJ et al. (2009). Three tenuous rings/arcs for three tiny moons. nameOfConference
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Murray CD, Beurle K, Cooper NJ et al. (2008). The determination of the structure of Saturn's F ring by nearby moonlets.. nameOfConference
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Cooper NJ, Murray CD, Evans MW et al. (2008). Astrometry and dynamics of Anthe (S/2007 S 4), a new satellite of Saturn. nameOfConference
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Jacobson RA, Spitale J, Porco CC et al. (2008). Revised orbits of Saturn's small inner satellites. nameOfConference
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Cooper NJ, Murray CD, Porco CC et al. (2006). Cassini ISS astrometric observations of the inner jovian satellites, Amalthea and Thebe. nameOfConference
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Murray CD, Cooper NJ, Evans MW et al. (2005). S/2004 S 5: A new co-orbital companion for Dione. nameOfConference
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Murray CD, Chavez C, Beurle K et al. (2005). How Prometheus creates structure in Saturn's F ring.. nameOfConference
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Porco CC, Baker E, Barbara J et al. (2005). Imaging of Titan from the Cassini spacecraft. nameOfConference
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Porco CC, Baker E, Barbara J et al. (2005). Cassini Imaging Science: Initial results on Phoebe and Iapetus. nameOfConference
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Porco CC, Baker E, Barbara J et al. (2005). Cassini Imaging Science: Initial results on Saturn's atmosphere. nameOfConference
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Porco CC, Baker E, Barbara J et al. (2005). Cassini Imaging Science: Initial results on Saturn's rings and small satellites. nameOfConference
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Cooper NJ, Murray CD (2004). Dynamical influences on the orbits of Prometheus and Pandora. nameOfConference