Astronomy Consolidated Grant at UCLAN
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Central Lancashire
Department Name: Jeremiah Horrocks Institute
Abstract
This consolidated grant proposal brings together research within the Jeremiah Horrocks Institute (JHI) of the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in the key research areas of stellar astrophysics, Galactic astrophysics, and extra-Galactic astrophysics. In these areas we will be addressing key science questions at the cutting edge of astrophysical research. Some examples of these are given here.
In the area of stellar astrophysics, we will solve some of the currently unanswered key questions in star formation, particularly those surrounding the formation, structure and evolution of prestellar cores, and the role played by magnetic fields in particular in this process. This is important, because there is believed to be a link between the core mass function and the stellar Initial Mass Function (IMF). It is planned that this will lead us to a true physical understanding of the origin of the IMF itself. We will also study the evolution of discs around protostars and the effects of binarity on planet formation, and model the migration of giant planets in discs around protostars to see how this is affected by stellar luminosity and the properties of the disc. In addition, we will also attempt to explore and understand internal angular momentum transport in hydrogen-burning, main-sequence stars, and we will search for the progenitors of supernovae.
In the areas of Galactic and extra-Galactic astrophysics (including the Milky Way as the nearest galaxy) we will investigate how the energy balance in the ISM, the conversion of gas into stars, and the IMF of the stellar progeny are affected by the dramatically changing physical conditions on galaxy-wide scales. We will probe the distribution of molecular gas and dust with high spatial resolution, to understand the origin of these components in dusty early-type galaxies. We will dissect the evolution of the Milky Way bulge, bar and disc, and compute orbits, in a suite of N-body+SPH simulations in order to help interpret Gaia data. Thereby we will better understand the role of the bar in the overall evolution of the Milky Way, as well as its mass assembly. For powerful Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) we will develop re-collimation shock simulations in jets to include additional physics and realistic conditions, in order to better understand these highly energetic phenomena
In the area of stellar astrophysics, we will solve some of the currently unanswered key questions in star formation, particularly those surrounding the formation, structure and evolution of prestellar cores, and the role played by magnetic fields in particular in this process. This is important, because there is believed to be a link between the core mass function and the stellar Initial Mass Function (IMF). It is planned that this will lead us to a true physical understanding of the origin of the IMF itself. We will also study the evolution of discs around protostars and the effects of binarity on planet formation, and model the migration of giant planets in discs around protostars to see how this is affected by stellar luminosity and the properties of the disc. In addition, we will also attempt to explore and understand internal angular momentum transport in hydrogen-burning, main-sequence stars, and we will search for the progenitors of supernovae.
In the areas of Galactic and extra-Galactic astrophysics (including the Milky Way as the nearest galaxy) we will investigate how the energy balance in the ISM, the conversion of gas into stars, and the IMF of the stellar progeny are affected by the dramatically changing physical conditions on galaxy-wide scales. We will probe the distribution of molecular gas and dust with high spatial resolution, to understand the origin of these components in dusty early-type galaxies. We will dissect the evolution of the Milky Way bulge, bar and disc, and compute orbits, in a suite of N-body+SPH simulations in order to help interpret Gaia data. Thereby we will better understand the role of the bar in the overall evolution of the Milky Way, as well as its mass assembly. For powerful Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) we will develop re-collimation shock simulations in jets to include additional physics and realistic conditions, in order to better understand these highly energetic phenomena
Planned Impact
Our main Impact is primarily around Community Engagement, of which the primary beneficiaries are students at schools and colleges, as well as members of the broader community, in Lancashire. In addition via social media and partnerships with organisations beyond the county, our reach is global.
While there is an element of dissemination in much of this work, the real impact derives from demonstrating to the people of Lancashire that work of national and international importance is taking place on their doorstep, and they can both benefit and become involved. Lancashire has some significant areas of very low engagement in Higher Education, including one of the lowest regions, Burnley. Our engagement work allows us to influence aspirations amongst children from a young age, and maintain interest in physics-focused study through the critical teenage years. In addition some of the initiatives described in Pathways to Impact have regional (North West) and wider reach, demonstrating that such work is not restricted to the largest and most prestigious institutes that may not be perceived as accessible to those from under-represented communities. For more details, see:
http://www.star.uclan.ac.uk/events/
and
http://www.star.uclan.ac.uk/outreach/
Alston Observatory
We also run the Alston Observatory, about 8 miles from Preston, which is a purpose-built teaching facility. Also on the site are telescopes with a long history, as well as a new 0.7-metre teaching telescope. We run monthly star-gazing events for the public. We also have a Discovery Dome planetarium system, exhibits on Telescopes as Time Machines funded by the Royal Astronomical Society, and an outside experiment on Measuring the Cosmos. Discovery Dome is an exciting system that allows a laptop computer and digital projector to display movies onto a planetarium dome, as well as enhanced planetarium shows. This will enable both informative material to be presented for evening events, and educational material for curriculum enhancement. We run many outreach events at Alston, including Stargazing Live and other public observing evenings. We have links with many local astronomical societies. We also run many events for local schools at Alston. See:
http://www.star.uclan.ac.uk/alston/workshops.php
Jeremiah Horrocks Observatory, Moor Park
We recently won, jointly with Preston City Council, a Heritage National Lottery Grant to improve amenities within Preston's central Moor Park. Of the £2M won in total, £100k was for the University to completely refurbish the Jeremiah Horrocks Observatory (JHO), located within Moor Park. The Observatory was opened in 1927. It had a long history of public observation, and is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. However, it had fallen into disrepair by 2002. The refurbishment works included re-pointing and renovating the fabric of the building, including all new windows, a new door with disabled ramp access, and improved bathroom facilities, with disabled toilets, as well as complete re-wiring, replacing all plaster-boarding on all walls, new flooring throughout and complete re-decoration. This work was completed in December 2016. We are in the process of kitting out the building with new display materials, ready to open as a visitor centre for local schools and other interested groups in Spring/Summer 2017. Specifically, we will use the JHO to reach out to Lancashire's multicultural community, particularly the UK's largest Muslim population, located in the area immediately surrounding Moor Park. Schools in this area may not be able to afford to bus groups out to Alston, but could visit Moor Park much more easily. We will turn the JHO into an outreach facility run as a collaboration between the University of Central Lancashire and a host of partner organisations, including Preston City Council, delivering outreach to gatekeeper partners. This is a central plank of our new 5-year Outreach Plan.
While there is an element of dissemination in much of this work, the real impact derives from demonstrating to the people of Lancashire that work of national and international importance is taking place on their doorstep, and they can both benefit and become involved. Lancashire has some significant areas of very low engagement in Higher Education, including one of the lowest regions, Burnley. Our engagement work allows us to influence aspirations amongst children from a young age, and maintain interest in physics-focused study through the critical teenage years. In addition some of the initiatives described in Pathways to Impact have regional (North West) and wider reach, demonstrating that such work is not restricted to the largest and most prestigious institutes that may not be perceived as accessible to those from under-represented communities. For more details, see:
http://www.star.uclan.ac.uk/events/
and
http://www.star.uclan.ac.uk/outreach/
Alston Observatory
We also run the Alston Observatory, about 8 miles from Preston, which is a purpose-built teaching facility. Also on the site are telescopes with a long history, as well as a new 0.7-metre teaching telescope. We run monthly star-gazing events for the public. We also have a Discovery Dome planetarium system, exhibits on Telescopes as Time Machines funded by the Royal Astronomical Society, and an outside experiment on Measuring the Cosmos. Discovery Dome is an exciting system that allows a laptop computer and digital projector to display movies onto a planetarium dome, as well as enhanced planetarium shows. This will enable both informative material to be presented for evening events, and educational material for curriculum enhancement. We run many outreach events at Alston, including Stargazing Live and other public observing evenings. We have links with many local astronomical societies. We also run many events for local schools at Alston. See:
http://www.star.uclan.ac.uk/alston/workshops.php
Jeremiah Horrocks Observatory, Moor Park
We recently won, jointly with Preston City Council, a Heritage National Lottery Grant to improve amenities within Preston's central Moor Park. Of the £2M won in total, £100k was for the University to completely refurbish the Jeremiah Horrocks Observatory (JHO), located within Moor Park. The Observatory was opened in 1927. It had a long history of public observation, and is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. However, it had fallen into disrepair by 2002. The refurbishment works included re-pointing and renovating the fabric of the building, including all new windows, a new door with disabled ramp access, and improved bathroom facilities, with disabled toilets, as well as complete re-wiring, replacing all plaster-boarding on all walls, new flooring throughout and complete re-decoration. This work was completed in December 2016. We are in the process of kitting out the building with new display materials, ready to open as a visitor centre for local schools and other interested groups in Spring/Summer 2017. Specifically, we will use the JHO to reach out to Lancashire's multicultural community, particularly the UK's largest Muslim population, located in the area immediately surrounding Moor Park. Schools in this area may not be able to afford to bus groups out to Alston, but could visit Moor Park much more easily. We will turn the JHO into an outreach facility run as a collaboration between the University of Central Lancashire and a host of partner organisations, including Preston City Council, delivering outreach to gatekeeper partners. This is a central plank of our new 5-year Outreach Plan.
Publications
Liu T
(2018)
A Holistic Perspective on the Dynamics of G035.39-00.33: The Interplay between Gas and Magnetic Fields
in The Astrophysical Journal
Holdsworth D
(2018)
K2 observations of the rapidly oscillating Ap star 33 Lib (HD 137949): new frequencies and unique non-linear interactions
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Li Z
(2018)
Shape of LOSVDs in Barred Disks: Implications for Future IFU Surveys
in The Astrophysical Journal
Kirk H
(2018)
The JCMT Gould Belt Survey: SCUBA-2 Data Reduction Methods and Gaussian Source Recovery Analysis
in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
Tang M
(2018)
The Properties of Planck Galactic Cold Clumps in the L1495 Dark Cloud
in The Astrophysical Journal
Saio H
(2018)
Theory and evidence of global Rossby waves in upper main-sequence stars: r-mode oscillations in many Kepler stars
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Nguyen D
(2018)
Nearby Early-type Galactic Nuclei at High Resolution: Dynamical Black Hole and Nuclear Star Cluster Mass Measurements
in The Astrophysical Journal
Dunhill A
(2018)
Giant planet migration during FU Orionis outbursts: 1D disc models
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Kwon J
(2018)
A First Look at BISTRO Observations of the ? Oph-A core
in The Astrophysical Journal
Benedettini M
(2018)
A catalogue of dense cores and young stellar objects in the Lupus complex based on Herschel Gould Belt Survey observations
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Marnerides Demetris
(2018)
ExpandNet: A Deep Convolutional Neural Network for High Dynamic Range Expansion from Low Dynamic Range Content
in arXiv e-prints
Clarkson William I.
(2018)
Chemically-dissected Rotation Curves of the Galactic Bulge from Hubble Space Telescope Proper Motions on the Main Sequence
in American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #231
Saio H
(2018)
An astrophysical interpretation of the remarkable g-mode frequency groups of the rapidly rotating ? Dor star, KIC 5608334
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Broekhoven-Fiene H
(2018)
The JCMT Gould Belt Survey: A First Look at the Auriga-California Molecular Cloud with SCUBA-2
in The Astrophysical Journal
Holdsworth D
(2018)
LCO observations of a super-critical distorted pulsation in the roAp star J0855 (TYC 2488-1241-1)
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Hambleton K
(2018)
KIC 8164262: a heartbeat star showing tidally induced pulsations with resonant locking
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Debattista Victor P.
(2018)
Formation, vertex deviation and age of the Milky Way's bulge: input from a cosmological simulation with a late-forming bar
in arXiv e-prints
Pattle K
(2018)
First Observations of the Magnetic Field inside the Pillars of Creation: Results from the BISTRO Survey
in The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Juvela M
(2018)
Herschel and SCUBA-2 observations of dust emission in a sample of Planck cold clumps
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Marnerides D
(2018)
ExpandNet: A Deep Convolutional Neural Network for High Dynamic Range Expansion from Low Dynamic Range Content
in Computer Graphics Forum
Holdsworth D
(2018)
Suppressed phase variations in a high amplitude rapidly oscillating Ap star pulsating in a distorted quadrupole mode
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Bono G.
(2018)
unVEil the darknesS of The gAlactic buLgE (VESTALE)
in arXiv e-prints
Debattista V
(2018)
Predicted stellar kinematics of a kiloparsec-scale nuclear disc (or ring) in the Milky Way
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Ashton P
(2018)
First Observation of the Submillimeter Polarization Spectrum in a Translucent Molecular Cloud
in The Astrophysical Journal
Loebman S
(2018)
Beta Dips in the Gaia Era: Simulation Predictions of the Galactic Velocity Anisotropy Parameter ( ß ) for Stellar Halos
in The Astrophysical Journal
Bresnahan D
(2018)
The dense cores and filamentary structure of the molecular cloud in Corona Australis: Herschel SPIRE and PACS observations from the Herschel Gould Belt Survey
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Du Min
(2018)
The Formation of Compact Elliptical Galaxies in The Vicinity of A Massive Galaxy: The Role of Ram-pressure Confinement
in arXiv e-prints
Clarkson W
(2018)
Chemically Dissected Rotation Curves of the Galactic Bulge from Main-sequence Proper Motions*
in The Astrophysical Journal
Gonzalez O
(2018)
The structure behind the Galactic bar traced by red clump stars in the VVV survey
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Thompson B
(2018)
The Gaia-ESO Survey: matching chemodynamical simulations to observations of the Milky Way
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Liu T
(2018)
The TOP-SCOPE Survey of Planck Galactic Cold Clumps: Survey Overview and Results of an Exemplar Source, PGCC G26.53+0.17
in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
Soam A
(2018)
Magnetic Fields toward Ophiuchus-B Derived from SCUBA-2 Polarization Measurements
in The Astrophysical Journal
Murphy S
(2018)
Finding binaries from phase modulation of pulsating stars with Kepler: V. Orbital parameters, with eccentricity and mass-ratio distributions of 341 new binaries
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Gonzalez Oscar A.
(2018)
LSST Cadence Optimization White Paper: The Definitive Map of the Galactic bulge
in arXiv e-prints
Bowman D
(2018)
Characterizing the observational properties of d Sct stars in the era of space photometry from the Kepler mission
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Holdsworth D
(2019)
Testing the SALT High-Resolution Spectrograph for Pulsation Studies of roAp Stars Poster on-line
in Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union
Andr
(2019)
Probing the cold magnetized Universe with SPICA-POL (B-BOP)
in arXiv e-prints
André P
(2019)
Probing the cold magnetised Universe with SPICA-POL (B-BOP)
in Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia
Pattle K
(2019)
JCMT BISTRO Survey Observations of the Ophiuchus Molecular Cloud: Dust Grain Alignment Properties Inferred Using a Ricean Noise Model
in The Astrophysical Journal
Liu J
(2019)
The JCMT BISTRO Survey: The Magnetic Field in the Starless Core ? Ophiuchus C
in The Astrophysical Journal
Khalack V
(2019)
Rotational and pulsational variability in the TESS light curve of HD 27463
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Du M
(2019)
The Formation of Compact Elliptical Galaxies in the Vicinity of a Massive Galaxy: The Role of Ram-pressure Confinement
in The Astrophysical Journal
MacFarlane B
(2019)
Observational signatures of outbursting protostars - I: From hydrodynamic simulations to observations
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Ward-Thompson D
(2019)
A vintage year from sunspots?
in Astronomy & Geophysics
Coudé S
(2019)
The JCMT BISTRO Survey: The Magnetic Field of the Barnard 1 Star-forming Region
in The Astrophysical Journal
Shariff J
(2019)
Submillimeter Polarization Spectrum of the Carina Nebula
in The Astrophysical Journal
Fissel L
(2019)
Relative Alignment between the Magnetic Field and Molecular Gas Structure in the Vela C Giant Molecular Cloud Using Low- and High-density Tracers
in The Astrophysical Journal
Description | DST-NRF FELLOWSHIP FOR EARLY CAREER RESEARCHERS FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM |
Amount | R330,000 (ZAR) |
Funding ID | NFPF170529234768 |
Organisation | North-West University |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | South Africa |
Start | 06/2018 |
End | 11/2018 |
Description | STFC Consolidated Grant |
Amount | £1,200,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2018 |
End | 03/2021 |
Title | POL2 on JCMT |
Description | Our team contributed significantly to the commissioning of POL2 on JCMT. |
Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | All users of JCMT now benefit from improved calibration of their POL2 data. |
URL | https://www.eaobservatory.org/jcmt/instrumentation/continuum/scuba-2/pol-2/ |
Description | BLASTPOL-2 |
Organisation | National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) |
Country | United States |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Aided in selecting science targets. |
Collaborator Contribution | Everything else. |
Impact | Still ongoing. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Continued Collaboration with HAWC+ on SOFIA |
Organisation | University of Chicago |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We bring scientific expertise to the consortium in terms of interpretation and analysis of the data. |
Collaborator Contribution | The partners bring instrumentation expertise. |
Impact | Chuss et al., 2019, ApJ, 872, 187 |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Polarimetry with HAWC+ on SOFIA |
Organisation | University of Chicago |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have brought our expertise on polarimetry in general and on some of the targeted regions in particular. |
Collaborator Contribution | The partners built a polarimeter HAWC+ for use on the SOFIA telescope. |
Impact | One unrefereed publication has appeared already, and refereed publications will be forthcoming. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Museum of the Moon |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The Museum of the Moon was a large display supported by our talks at the Harris Museum in Preston that ran throughout February 2019. It attracted more than 50,000 visitors, which is the largest number the museum had ever reached for a single exhibition. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.visitlancashire.com/whats-on/museum-of-the-moon-p940170 |
Description | Public Outreach Activities |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Multiple talk to many organisations, including schools, amateur societies and interested members of the public, resulting in multiple positive feedback outcomes. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019 |