معرفی
Prof. Nicolas Thomas is a Professor of Experimental Physics at the University of Bern, leading the planetary remote-sensing group at the Physikalisches Institut. His work focuses on dynamic phenomena on solar system bodies, particularly comets and icy worlds. He has been a key figure in major space missions like Rosetta (OSIRIS instrument), BepiColombo (BELA altimeter), and ExoMars (CaSSIS camera). Thomas holds a DPhil from the University of York (1986) and has held positions at the Max-Planck-Institut für Aeronomie and ESA. He has received numerous awards, including the Zel'dovich Award (1992) and NASA Group Achievement Awards.
His research spans planetary surface processes, remote sensing techniques, and mission leadership. Notable contributions include analyzing comet Halley data from ESA’s Giotto mission and leading the CaSSIS camera on ExoMars. Thomas has also contributed to proposals like IVO (Io Volcano Observer) and is active in the International Academy of Astronautics. His group uses multi-wavelength imaging and numerical modeling to study Mars, Mercury, comets, and the Jupiter system.
Scientific achievements include discoveries of chloride deposits on Mars, surface changes through CaSSIS observations, and leadership in over 200 peer-reviewed publications. He has advised multiple missions and served in COSPAR leadership roles, emphasizing interdisciplinary planetary science.
