Lecturer in Astrophysics at the University of Lincoln. My research interests include the computer modelling of planetary rings. This includes the very dynamic F ring at the edge of Saturn's rings which interacts with nearby moons on very short time scales. The investigation of planetary rings can help us understand more about planet and moon formation. An potentially interesting case comes in the form of circumbinary exoplanets we have recently discovered like Kepler-16b. These large gas giants are capable of harboring Earth sized moons around them. Yet how might they form? Looking at planetary ring stability around such exotic exoplanets might help us understand more.
On June 10th Dr Phil Sutton presented his ongoing work on the interactions between gravitational waves and planetary rings. It was discussed that orbital resonances between objects in astrophysical systems is commonplace, […]
