Nicholas Kaiser was an astronomer renowned for his outstanding research into a wide range of cosmological problems related to the formation of galaxies and large-scale structure in the Universe. He conducted pioneering work in modelling the galaxy distribution in redshift space and weak gravitational lensing.
His theory and observational techniques for weak gravitational lensing - a method for studying the distribution of dark matter - changed the shape of modern cosmology. He led the development of Pan-STARRS (Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System), a collaborative research project with the primary aim of detecting potentially hazardous objects in our Solar System.
In 1989, Nicholas was awarded the Helen Warner Prize of the American Astronomical Society; in 1993, the Herzberg Medal of the Canadian Association of Physicists; and in 1997, the Rutherford Medal of the Royal Society of Canada. He starred in an episode of Brian Cox’s popular 2010 television series, ‘Wonders of the Solar System’.
Professor Nicholas Kaiser FRS died on 13 June 2023.
Professional position
- Professor of Astrophysics, Département de Physique, Ecole Normale Supérieure
