PhD Astronomy- Planet Formation and Evolution in London United Kingdom | Queen Mary University of London

Over the past 15 years, astronomers have identified more than 4000 exoplanets orbiting distant stars. The field has progressed from mere detection to detailed analysis of planetary characteristics. Researchers have uncovered remarkable diversity among planets, driving investigations into their formation within protoplanetary disks surrounding young stars and their subsequent evolution. This knowledge helps contextualize our own Solar System within the broader array of planetary systems. Queen Mary's Planet Formation and Evolution Group conducts cutting-edge theoretical and observational studies, participating in initiatives like the Red Dots program that has discovered planets orbiting nearby stars such as Proxima Centauri, Barnard's Star, and Gliese 887. The group also investigates planetary dynamics and collisions that shape planetary systems, with particular emphasis on Solar System bodies. Queen Mary's Solar System Dynamics team played a significant role in the Cassini mission to Saturn, including the discovery of two new moons. Their research focuses on planetary ring dynamics and gravitational interactions with neighboring moons, providing insights applicable to protoplanetary disk evolution. Through analysis of Cassini imagery, the team makes precise astrometric measurements that reveal orbital changes, contributing to findings about Titan's historical proximity to Saturn.