I've worked in Oxford Physics since 2004, primarily building a range of instruments for ground-based telescopes. I have recently (2024) moved from Astrophysics to the Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics sub-department, where I am now the Senior Programme Manager and Head of the Space Instrumentation SRF. Our current "large" projects involve optical test equipment for the Ariel exoplanet mission, and leading the MIRMIS instrument for comet interceptor - both missions due to launch in 2029. The Lunar Thermal Mapper instrument is due to launch at the start of 2025, to provide high resolution mapping of the moon's surface composition. We also support of a wide range of smaller projects and contracts, often providing seismometers and infrared filter assemblies for larger instruments.
From 2008-2024 my main focus was the design and development of the HARMONI integral field spectrograph for the in-construction 39m European Extremely Large Telescope. This massive (39 tonne!) instrument project has now expanded to over 1000 FTEs across 6 countries, and is due to be delivered to the telescope in the early 2030s. Before this, from 2004-2008, we built the SWIFT integral field spectrograph for the Palomar 200-inch telescope, where it operated until late 2016.
Before coming to Oxford, I was an ESO fellow working with the 8m Very Large Telescope at Paranal Observatory in Chile. My research interests have ranged from high redshift galaxies, through brown dwarfs and exoplanets, with my latest diversions being on high spatial resolution spectroscopy of solar system moons.
I also help run the department's teaching and outreach telescope, the Philip Wetton Telescope, on the roof of the Denys Wilkinson Building. The telescope is capable of being operated robotically, to make use of the variable Oxford skies!, but can also be used with a eyepiece for outreach events.
