Professor Carl Murray

Research

Research Interests:

I am interested in all aspects of the dynamics of planetary systems, from the orbital evolution of dust particles to the stability of planetary orbits. My research in recent years has been dominated by work on Saturn's rings and their gravitational interaction with the small natural satellites orbiting nearby. In particular I have been fascinated by Saturn's F ring as I work with colleagues to understand its bizarre appearance. I have been a member of the Imaging Science Subsystem Team on the Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn and I have worked on the project since I was selected in 1990.  

Download a copy of my CV.

Examples of research funding:

Recent research grants

• £762,625 Consolidated Grant from STFC for Astronomy Research 2017-2021 (PI: Murray); 01:04:2017 to 31:03:2021
• £1,547,055 Consolidated Grant from STFC for Astronomy Research 2015-2018 (PI: Nelson); 01.04.2015 to 31:03.2018
• £43,194 Leverhulme Research Fellowship for Collisional Dynamics in Saturn's F Ring (PI: Murray); 01.09.2013 to 31.08.2015
• £1,632,102 Consolidated Grant from STFC for Astronomy Research 2012-2015 (PI: Burgess); 01.04.2012 to 31.03.2015
• £11,606 from The Royal Society for International Exchange Scheme with Paris Observatory (PI: Murray); 01.01.2012 to 31.12.2013
• £442,584 from STFC for Ring-satellite interactions & orbital evolution (PI: Murray); 01.04.2011 to 31.03.2014
• £315,784 from STFC for Dynamics of Saturn's F ring and satellites (PI: Murray); 01.04.2006 to 31.03.2011
• £587,720 from STFC for Cassini Imaging Centre (PI: Murray); 01.04.2006 to 31.03.2010

Publications

Carl Murray's list of publications is available here.

Supervision

Successful PhD Supervision

• Silvia Giuliani Winter (1994). The dynamics of Saturn's F ring.
• Othon Winter (1994). The phase space of the planar circular restricted three-body problem.
• Mitchell Gordon (1995). A search for small satellites and coorbital material in the Saturnian system.
• Apostolos Christou (1998). An Investigation of Secular Perturbations in Planetary and Satellite Systems.
• Thomas Kehoe (1999). Long-Term Dynamics of Small Bodies in the Solar System Using Mapping Techniques.
• Michael Evans (2000). The Determination of Orbits from Spacecraft Imaging.
• Helena Morais (2000). The Effect of Secular Perturbations and Mean Motion Resonances on Trojan Dynamics.
• Nicholas Cooper (2004). Astrometry and dynamics of the inner satellites of Jupiter and Saturn.
• Angela Flynn (2005). Rotational dynamics in the solar system.
• Carlos Chavez (2006). Azimuthal structure in Saturn's F ring.
• Gareth Williams (2009). The three-body problem applied to close ring-satellite encounters.
• Nicholas Attree (2015). Collisional features in Saturn's F ring.

Public Engagement

Recent media appearances

• Live interview on BBC World News talking about new moons of Saturn, 8 October 2019
• Appearances in BBC2 series, The Planets: Inside the Planets, Episode 4, June 2019 
• Quoted in The Observer article about 2001: A Space Odyssey, 9 April 2018
• Interview on BBC World News talking about Cassini as scientific highlight of 2017, January 2018
• Appearance in BBC2 Horizon programme, "Goodbye Cassini: Hello Saturn", 18 September 2017; Clip
• Live interview on BBC World Service talking about the demise of Cassini, 15 September 2017
• Live interview from Los Angelese on ITV Good Morning Britain discussing demise of Cassini, 15 September 2017
• Recorded interview for Channel 5 News on demise of Cassini, 14 September 2017
• Interview on BBC Radio 4 Inside Science episode "Farewell to Cassini", 14 September 2017
• Interview on BBC4 Sky At Night programme "Cassini: The Gamechanger" discussing Cassini results, 14 September 2017
• Appearance on ITV News At Ten discussing 40th anniversary of Voyager mission, 5 September 2017
• Interview on BBC1 News At Six discussing Cassini and Peggy, 29 August 2017
• Appearance on BBC World Service documentary, Space 1977, about the 40th anniversary of Voyager missions, 20 August 2017
• Quoted in The Guardian article about the 40th anniversary of Voyager missions, 18 August 2017
• Interview on Space Boffins podcast talking about Voyager and Cassini, 10 August 2017
• Interview on Channel 5 News about the Grand Finale orbits and the demise of Cassini, 27 April 2017
• Interview on ITV News about the Grand Finale orbits and the demise of Cassini, 27 April 2017
• Interveiw on BBC1 News about the Grand Finale orbits and the demise of Cassini, 27 April 2017
• Live interview on BBC World Service World Update talking about the Grand Finale orbits and the demise of Cassini, 27 April 2017
• Live interview on BBC Radio Scotland talking about the Grand Finale orbits and the demise of Cassini, 27 April 2017
• Live interview on BBC Radio 4 Today programme talking about the Grand Finale orbits and the demise of Cassini, 27 April 2017
• Interview for BBC News website article about Cassini and Peggy, 13 January 2017
• Live interview on BBC World News talking about Cassini as forthcoming scientific highlight of 2017, 3 January 2017
• Interview for WBUR Boston NPR radio station programme On Point talking about Peggy, 18 April 2014
• Interview for BBC News website article about Peggy, 16 April 2014
• Live interview on BBC World News talking about release of Cassini high phase mosaic of Saturn and rings, 13 November 2013

Popular Talks

• Virtual talk to the Newtonabbey Rotary Club, 28 November 2023
• Virtual talk to the Tweeddale Astronomical Society, 15 February 2022
• Virtual talk to Aberdeen Astronomical Society (with participation of Highland Astronomy Society, Moray Astronomy Club and North Ronaldsay Astronomy Club), 13 April 2021
• Virtual talk to Weymouth Astronomy Club, 12 February 2021
• Virtual talk to Bournemouth Natural Science Society, 26 May 2020
• Talk to Maths Circle, Wilson's School, Wallington, Surrey, 16 March 2020
• Talk at Ravens Wood School, Orpington, Kent, 11 March 2020
• Talks to classes at Wistaston Church Lane Academy, 24 February 2020
• Talk to Hertford Astronomy Group, Welwyn Garden City, 12 February 2020
• Talk to Institute of Physics (Hereford & Worcester) and Worcester Astronomical Society, Univ. of Worcester, Worcester, 9 January 2020
• Talk to North Essex Astronomical Society, Witham, Essex, 18 September 2019
• Talk to Mid-Kent Astronomical Society, Chatham, 10 May 2019
• Talk to Crewkerne Astronomical Society, Somerset, 20 March 2019
• Talk to Ravens Wood School, Orpington, Kent, 13 March 2019
• Talk to East London Science School, Royal Geographical Society, Kensington, London, 15 February 2019
• Talk at Prince's Teaching Institute CPD Day for Teachers, Walthamstow School for Girls, London, 7 February 2019
• Talk to Institute of Physics (Manchester), Manchester Metropolitan University, 15 January 2019
• Talk at New Teacher Subject Day, Prince's Teaching Institute, Pimlico School, London, 8 December 2018
• Talk at Initiative for Interstellar Studies, Charfield, Gloucestershire, 30 November 2018
• Talk to Stratford-upon-Avon Astronomical Society, Alderminster, Warwickshire, 17 July 2018
• Talk to Walsall Astronomical Society, Walsall, 5 July 2018
• Talk to Shire Oak School, Walsall, 5 July 2018
• Talk to Worthing Astronomical Society, Worthing, 20 June 2018
• Talk at St John's Catholic Comprehensive School, Gravesend, Kent, 8 May 2018
• Talk at BAA Weekend, Winchester, 8 April 2018
• Talk to Solent Amateur Astronomers, Southampton, 17 April 2018
• Talk to Orpington Astronomical Society, Orpington, Kent, 28 March 2018
• Talk to Cafe Scientifique, Harpenden, 26 March 2018
• Talk to Foredown Tower Astronomers, Brighton, 15 March 2018
• Talk to Maths Circle, Wilson's School, Wallington, Surry, 12 March 2018
• Talk to Croydon Astronomical Society, Croydon, 9 March 2018
• Talk at Bancroft's School, Woodford, London, 7 February 2018
• Talk at Hampstead Garden Suburb Astronomical Society, London, 31 January 2018
• Talk to Irish Astronomical Association, QUB, Belfast, 24 January 2018
• Astronomy Ireland Christmas Lecture, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, 11 December 2017
• Christmas Lecture, Royal Observatory Greenwich, Greenwich, 9 December 2017
• Talk at University of Kent, 5 December 2017
• Talk to Licenced Vintners School, Ascot, Berkshire, 16 November 2017
• Talk to Eastbourne Astronomical Society, Eastbourne, Sussex, 11 November 2017
• Colloquium talk to School of Physics & Astronomy, QMUL, 27 October 2017
• Talk to Loughton Astronomical Society, 12 October 2017
• Talk at Federation of Astronomical Societies Annual Meeting, Univ. of Birmingham, 30 September 2017
• Talk at Lister Community School, Plaistow, London, 28 September 2017
• Talk to Flamsteed Astronomy Society, Greenwich, 8 May 2017
• Talk at Guildford High School, Surrey, 20 April 2017
• Talk as part of Stargazing Live at QMUL, 4 April 2017
• RAS Public Lectures, RAS, 14 February 2017
• Talk at Sutton Grammar School, Surrey, 26 January 2017
• Talk at StarFest, Chelmer Valley High School, Essex, 29 October 2016
• Talk at the Observatory Opening, QMUL, 23 March 2016
• Talk on Cassini to Colchester Royal Grammar School, Colchester, 17 March 2016
• Physics Taster Talk, QMUL, 3 February 2016
• Invited talk at Maxwell Conference, Royal Society fo Edinburgh, 9 November 2015
• Talk to PsiStar Society, QMUL, 29 October 2015
• Talk at Science Showoff event, The Star of Kings pub, Kings Cross, London, 21 April 2015
• Talk at Greenford High School, Ealing, 24 March 2015
• Talk at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, 29 January 2015
• Talk for United Learning/Prince's Teaching Institute, Manchester, 29 January 2015
• Talk for United Learning/Prince's Teaching Institute, London, 21 January 2015
• Talk to the William Herschel Society, Univ. of Bath, 19 November 2014
• Talk at Chobham Academy, Stratford, London, 5 November 2014
• Talk at Pint of Science, London, 20 June 2014
• Talk to Orpington Astronomical Society, 14 March 2014
• Talk to Flamsteed Astronomy Society, Greenwich, 10 March 2014
• Talk to Hampstead Garden Suburb Astronomical Society, London, 29 January 2014
• Talk at Reigate School, Surrey, 9 January 2014
• Invited talk at United learning Trust meeting, London, 4 October 2013
• Talk to Year 10/11 pupils, QMUL, 31 July 2013
• Talk at Goldsmiths Course for Teachers, QMUL, 23 July 2013
• Talk to Thurrock Astronomical Society, 3 April 2013
• Talk at Colchester RGS, Colchester, 20 March 2013
• Talk to Wilson's School Maths Circle, Sutton, Surrey, 11 March 2013
• Talk to Birmingham Astronomical Society, 26 February 2013
• Talk to Prince's Teaching Institute, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, 9 February 2013
• Talk to Prince's Teaching Institute, Institute of Physics, London, 2 February 2013
• Talk to Stratford upon Avon Astronomical Society, 21 August 2012
• Talk to the Loughton Astronomical Society, 31 May 2012
• Talk to the Guildford Astronomical Society, 3 May 2012
• Talk to the Orpington Astronomical Society, 25 January 2012
• Talk to the Reading Astronomical Society, 21 January 2012
• Talks at Charlton School, 13 January 2012
• Talk to Flamsteed Astronomy Society, 14 November 2011
• Talk to Institute of Physics, Aldermaston, 4 July 2011
• Talk to Bancroft’s School, 8 June 2011
• Talk to Barts Cancer Institute, 3 June 2011
• Talk to Maths Circle, Wilson’s School, Wallington, 14 March 2011
• Talk to Ardingly College, 1 March 2011
• Talk to Haberdashers’ Aske’s School, 27 January 2011
• Talk at Stratford Unitarian Church, 23 January 2011
• Talk at Newbury Astronomical Society, 7 January 2011
• Talk to Cambridge Astronomical Association, 19 November 2010
• Talk to Portsmouth Grammar School, 4 November 2010
• Talk to Society for Popular Astronomy, London, 30 October 2010
• Talk to Cliftonville Integrated Primary School, Belfast, 14 October 2010
• Talk to Richmond and Kew Astronomical Society, 24 September 2010
• Talk at King Edward VI Five Ways School, Birmingham, 14 July 2010
• Talk at Media Space, Queen Mary, 5 July 2010
• Talk at Astrophysics Taster, Queen Mary, 30 June 2010
• Talk at Tiffin School, Kingston, 23 April 2010
• Talk to Loughton Astronomical Society, 22 April 2010
• Talk at ScienceNI NSWE Event, Queen’s University, Belfast, 15 March 2010
• Talk to Physics Teachers, Queen Mary, 25 February 2010
• Talk at Imperial College, 24 February 2010
• Talk at Stratford Unitarian Church, 3 January 2010
• Talk to Hampstead Scientific Society, 10 December 2009
• Talk to North Beckton Primary School, 14 October 2009
• Talk to West of London Astronomical Society, 12 October 2009
• Talk to Astronomy Ireland, Trinity College, Dublin, 9 October 2009
• Talk to Norwich Astronomical Society, 12 September 2009
• Talk at British Festival of Science, University of Surrey, 10 September 2009
• Talk to Media Space, Queen Mary, 13 July 2009
• Talk to St Michael’s School, Bishop’s Stortford, 21 May 2009
• Talk at Institute of Physics, London, 13 May 2009
• Talk to Northern Ireland Education and Library Board, Belfast, 19 February 2009
• Talk to Harrow School, Harrow, 28 November 2008
• Talk at Open Dome Event, Nottingham Trent University, 27 November 2008
• Talk to Maxwell Society, King’s College, London, 10 November 2008
• Talk to Park Lodge Primary School, Belfast, 29 October 2008
• Talk to Vectis Astronomical Society, Isle of Wight, 27 June 2008
• Talk to Maths Circle, Wilson’s School, Wallington, 24 June 2008
• Talk at Armagh Planetarium, 8 March 2008
• Talk at National Space Centre, Leicester, 21 August 2007
• Talk at Stonydown Park Primary School, Walthamstow, 29 June 2007
• Talk to Worthing Astronomical Society, 18 June 2007
• Talk at Belfast Royal Academy, Belfast, 16 June 2007
• Talk to Flamsteed Astronomy Society, Greenwich, 24 May 2007
• Talk to Highgate School, London, 17 May 2007
• Talk to Alumni, Queen Mary, 14 March 2007
• Talk at Gatehouse Primary School, London, 9 March 2007
• Talk to RI Mathematics Masterclass, Queen Mary, 3 March 2007
• Talk at Gatehouse Primary School, London, 3 October 2006
• Talk at Teacher Scientist Network, John Innes Centre, Norwich, 28 April 2006
• Talk to Portsmouth Grammar School, 17 November 2005
• Talk at Astromeet, Leeds, 12 November 2005
• Talk to Society for Popular Astronomy Convention, Cambridge, 15 October 2005
• Talk to British Festival of Space, Birmingham, 30 June 2005
• Talk to Guildford Astronomical Society, 2 June 2005
• Talk to Chigwell School, Chigwell, 9 April 2005
• Talks at St Peter’s School, Gloucester, 22 March 2005
• Talk to Institute of Physics, Sussex, 15 March 2005
• Talk at Astrofest, London, 5 March 2005
• Talk to Astronomy Ireland, Dublin City University, 14 February 2005
• Talk to Flamsteed Astronomy Society, Greenwich, 2 November 2004
• Talk to Hampstead Garden Suburb Astronomical Society, London, 27 October 2004
• Talk at Bletchley Park, 4 October 2004
• Talk to Highgate School, London, 21 September 2004
• Talk at British Association for the Advancement of Science, Exeter, 9 September 2004
• Robinson Schools' Lecture, Armagh, 21 November 2002

Performance

Research talks

• Talk at AAS DDA Meeting, University of Chicago, 24 June 2026
• Talk at NAROO/ROG Event, Meudon, 14 October 2025
• Talk at AAS DDA Meeting, Georgia Tech, 22 May 2025
• Talk at UCL Space Week, University College, London, 16 May 2019
• Talk at EPSC Meeting, TU Berlin, Germany, 17 September 2018
• Talk at Cassini Science Symposium, Colorado University, Boulder, USA, 13 August 2018
• Talk at John Papaloizou Birthday Meeting, Dept. of Physics, Univ. of Oxford, 9 July 2018
• Talk at EGU Meeting, Vienna, 12 April 2018
• Talk to the Encelade Group meeting, ISSI, Bern, Switzerland, 26 February 2018
• Seminar at Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, University College, London, 29 January 2018
• Talk at Clarendon Laboratory, Univ. of Oxford, 23 November 2017
• Colloquium talk to School of Physics & Astronomy, QMUL, 27 October 2017
• Talk at Cassini Imaging Team Meeting, Caltech, Pasadena, USA, 14 September 2017
• Talk at Cassini Rings Working Group meeting, Caltech, Pasadena, USA, 11 September 2017
• Talk at AAS DDA Meeting, QMUL, 15 June 2017
• Talk to Cassini PSG Plenary session, JPL, Pasadena, USA, 16 February 2017
• Talk to Cassini Rings Working Group meeting, JPL, Pasadena, USA, 15 February 2017
• Talk at AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, USA, 14 December 2016
• Talk at RAS Discussion Meeting, RAS, 9 December 2016
• Seminar at Dept. of Physics, Imperial College, 24 November 2016
• Talk to Cassini Rings Working Group meeting, Caltech, Pasadena, USA, 10 February 2016
• Talk to Cassini Imaging Team Meeting, Caltech, Pasadena, USA, 8 February 2016
• Talk at Encelade Group meeting, QMUL, 10 December 2015
• Invited talk at Maxwell Conference, Royal Society fo Edinburgh, 9 November 2015
• Colloquium talk at Univ. of Hertfordshire, 30 September 2015
• Talk at AAS DDA Meeting, Caltech, Pasadena, USA, 6 May 2015
• Talk at Encelade Group meeting, ISSI, Bern, Switzerland, 31 March 2015
• Talk at Chobham Academy, Stratford, London, 5 November 2014
• Talk at RAS Discussion Meeting celebrating 10 years of Cassini-Huygens, London, 10 October 2014
• Talk at JANUS-JUICE meeting, Univ. of Padua, Italy, 10 April 2014
• Talk to joint RAS/RPS meeting, RAS, London, 17 February 2015
• Talk at Plenary Session, Cassini PSG, JPL, 13 February 2014
• Talk at Rings Working Group, Cassini PSG, JPL, 12 February 2014
• Talk at ISS Team Meeting, Caltech, 10 February 2014
• Invited talk at AGU, San Francisco, 10 December 2013
• Talk at RAS Discussion Meeting on planetary satellites, RAS, London, 10 May 2013
• Talk at RAS Discussion Meeting, RAS, London, 14 December 2012
• Talk at the NAROO-GAIA satellite astrometry meeting, Paris Observatory, 22 June 2012
• Talk at the Division on Dynamical Astronomy of the AAS, Mt. Hood, Oregon, 8 May 2012
• Invited talk at the European Geosciences Union, Vienna, 24 April 2012
• Seminar at UC Santa Barbara, 3 February 2012
• Talk at Plenary Session, Cassini PSG, JPL, 2 February 2012
• Talk at Rings Working Group, Cassini PSG, JPL, 1 February 2012
• Talk at ISS Team Meeting, Caltech, 30 January 2012
• Talk at Encelade Group Meeting, Paris Observatory, 8 November 2011
• Seminar at Cardiff University, 5 October 2011
• Talk at the Rings 2011 Workshop, Cornell University, 29 July 2011
• Seminar at Paris Observatory, 13 December 2010
• Seminar at University of Birmingham, 24 November 2010
• Talk at COSPAR, Bremen, 20 July 2010
• Cassini CHARM Telecon seminar, 25 May 2010
• Talk on Jupiter's Ring at Europa Jupiter System Mission, ESTEC, Noordwijk, 19 May 2010
• Talk at the European Geosciences Union, Vienna, 7 May 2010
• Seminar at Culham Science Centre, 25 November 2009
• Seminar at University of Kent, 11 November 2009
• Seminar at Nottingham Trent University, 27 November 2008
• Seminar at Queen Mary, 17 October 2008
• Seminar at Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge, 9 October 2008
• Talk at Rings Working Group, Cassini PSG, ESA HQ, Paris, 24 July 2008
• Talk at AGU, San Francisco, 14 December 2007
• Seminar at Jodrell Bank, Manchester, 24 October 2007
• Talk at ISS Team Meeting, Athens, 3 June 2007
• Talk at National Astronomy Meeting, University of Central Lancashire, 18 April 2007
• Talk at ISS Team Meeting, Space Science Institute, Boulder, 26 January 2007
• Talk at Royal Astronomical Society, 10 November 2006
• Talk at Rings Working Group, Cassini PSG, JPL, 16 October 2006
• Seminar at DAMTP, Cambridge, 8 May 2006
• Talk at National Astronomy Meeting, University of Leicester, 4 April 2006
• Talk at Rings Working Group, Cassini PSG, JPL, 25 January 2006
• Talk at ISS Team Meeting, Space Science Institute, Boulder, 20 January 2006
• Seminar at Queen Mary, 3 January 2006
• Seminar at DAMTP, Cambridge, 21 November 2005
• Talk at DPS, Cambridge, 9 September 2005
• Talk at Plenary Session, Cassini PSG, Imperial College, 1 September 2005
• Talk at Royal Astronomical Society, 12 March 2005
• Talk at ISS Team Meeting, Florence, 28 February 2005
• Talk at DPS, Louisville, 8 November 2004
• Talk to Cassini PSG, JPL, 2 July 2004
• Talk at ISS Team Meeting, Caltech, 30 June 2004
• Talk at the Division on Dynamical Astronomy of the AAS, Cannes, 23 April 2004
• Talk at National Astronomy Meeting, Open University, 2 April 2004
• Seminar at Nottingham University, 18 February 2004

Grants

Recent research grants

• £762,625 Consolidated Grant from STFC for Astronomy Research 2017-2021 (PI: Murray); 01:04:2017 to 31:03:2021
• £1,547,055 Consolidated Grant from STFC for Astronomy Research 2015-2018 (PI: Nelson); 01.04.2015 to 31:03.2018
• £43,194 Leverhulme Research Fellowship for Collisional Dynamics in Saturn's F Ring (PI: Murray); 01.09.2013 to 31.08.2015
• £1,632,102 Consolidated Grant from STFC for Astronomy Research 2012-2015 (PI: Burgess); 01.04.2012 to 31.03.2015
• £11,606 from The Royal Society for International Exchange Scheme with Paris Observatory (PI: Murray); 01.01.2012 to 31.12.2013
• £442,584 from STFC for Ring-satellite interactions & orbital evolution (PI: Murray); 01.04.2011 to 31.03.2014
• £315,784 from STFC for Dynamics of Saturn's F ring and satellites (PI: Murray); 01.04.2006 to 31.03.2011
• £587,720 from STFC for Cassini Imaging Centre (PI: Murray); 01.04.2006 to 31.03.2010