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
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
Kwon J
(2018)
A First Look at BISTRO Observations of the ? Oph-A core
in The Astrophysical Journal
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
Könyves V
(2023)
A low-mass hub-filament with double centre revealed in NGC 2071-North
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Könyves V
(2023)
A low-mass hub-filament with double centre revealed in NGC2071-North
Cuomo V.
(2019)
A MUSE study of the fast bar in the weakly-interacting galaxy NGC 4264
in arXiv e-prints
Guo M
(2020)
A New Channel of Bulge Formation via the Destruction of Short Bars
in The Astrophysical Journal
Rappaport S
(2021)
A tidally tilted sectoral dipole pulsation mode in the eclipsing binary TIC 63328020
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Ward-Thompson D
(2019)
A vintage year from sunspots?
in Astronomy & Geophysics
Bowman D
(2019)
Adaptive elliptical aperture photometry: A software package for high-cadence ground-based photometry I. Application to rapid oscillators observed from SAAO
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Ghosh S
(2022)
Age dissection of the vertical breathing motions in Gaia DR2: evidence for spiral driving
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Dutta S
(2020)
ALMA Survey of Orion Planck Galactic Cold Clumps (ALMASOP). II. Survey Overview: A First Look at 1.3 mm Continuum Maps and Molecular Outflows
in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
Luo Q
(2023)
ALMA Survey of Orion Planck Galactic Cold Clumps (ALMASOP): A Forming Quadruple System with Continuum "Ribbons" and Intricate Outflows
in The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Seo Y
(2019)
An Ammonia Spectral Map of the L1495-B218 Filaments in the Taurus Molecular Cloud. II. CCS and HC 7 N Chemistry and Three Modes of Star Formation in the Filaments
in The Astrophysical Journal
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
Cuomo V
(2019)
Bar pattern speeds in CALIFA galaxies II. The case of weakly barred galaxies
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Zhao D
(2020)
Barred Galaxies in the IllustrisTNG Simulation
in The Astrophysical Journal
Zhao D
(2020)
Barred Galaxies in the IllustrisTNG Simulation
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
Debattista Victor P.
(2019)
Box/peanut-shaped bulges in action space
in arXiv e-prints
Debattista V
(2020)
Box/peanut-shaped bulges in action space
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Debattista V
(2019)
Box/peanut-shaped bulges in action space
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
Clarkson W
(2018)
Chemically Dissected Rotation Curves of the Galactic Bulge from Main-sequence Proper Motions*
in The Astrophysical Journal
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
Beraldo e Silva L
(2021)
Co-formation of the thin and thick discs revealed by APOGEE-DR16 and Gaia -DR2
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Erwin P
(2021)
Composite bulges - II. Classical bulges and nuclear discs in barred galaxies: the contrasting cases of NGC 4608 and NGC 4643
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Bracco A
(2020)
Compressed magnetized shells of atomic gas and the formation of the Corona Australis molecular cloud
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Rubino M
(2021)
Detectability of large-scale counter-rotating stellar disks in galaxies with integral-field spectroscopy
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Kurtz D
(2020)
Detection of Coherent Pulsation Modes in the Strongly Magnetic Of?p Star NGC 1624-2 using TESS Observation
in Research Notes of the AAS
Shi F
(2021)
Discovery of multiple p-mode pulsation frequencies in the roAp star, HD 86181
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Earp S
(2019)
Drivers of disc tilting I: correlations and possible drivers for Milky Way analogues
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Ward-Thompson D
(2020)
Editorial: The Role of Magnetic Fields in the Formation of Stars
in Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences
Shi F
(2021)
Erratum: Discovery of multiple p-mode pulsation frequencies in the roAp star, HD 86181
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Earp S
(2019)
Erratum: The tilting rate of the Milky Way's disc
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Kim J
(2020)
Event Horizon Telescope imaging of the archetypal blazar 3C 279 at an extreme 20 microarcsecond resolution
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Cuomo V
(2019)
Evidence of a fast bar in the weakly-interacting galaxy NGC 4264 with MUSE
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Marnerides Demetris
(2018)
ExpandNet: A Deep Convolutional Neural Network for High Dynamic Range Expansion from Low Dynamic Range Content
in arXiv e-prints
Marnerides D
(2018)
ExpandNet: A Deep Convolutional Neural Network for High Dynamic Range Expansion from Low Dynamic Range Content
in Computer Graphics Forum
Garver B
(2023)
Exploring the Evolution of Massive Clumps in Simulations That Reproduce the Observed Milky Way a-element Abundance Bimodality
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
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 |