A consolidated grant for Sheffield Astrophysics 2018-2021

Lead Research Organisation: University of Sheffield
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy

Abstract

The aim of this proposal is to support a programme of internationally excellent research in astrophysics at Sheffield, building on our recent research achievements, and tied to the exploitation of leading international facilities supported by STFC and UKSA.

Planned Impact

The main ways in which our research makes an impact outside the academic community is via our knowledge exchange and outreach activities. To summarise:

1. Knowledge exchange. This is primarily based on the building of the ULTRACAM and HiPERCAM instruments, which has lead to the development of new new CCD detector, data acquisition and cooling systems, as well as stimulating a project to develop new techniques to use 3D printing build rigid, lightweight support structure for astronomical instruments.

2. Outreach. Over the last 5 years members of the Sheffield astrophsyics group have delivered 126 talks to schools and astronomical societies, have held 70 in-house workshops for school students, and been involved in 15 press releases, all based on their research activities.

Details are given in our Impact Plan that is included as an attachment.

Publications

10 25 50

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Akter S (2019) Finding binary star fractions in any distribution in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

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Mata-Sánchez D (2020) First measurement of the total gravitational quadrupole moment of a black widow companion in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

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Snaid S (2018) Flickering in AGB stars: probing the nature of accreting companions in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

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Aranzana E (2018) Fourier time lags in the dwarf nova SS Cygni in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

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Lennon D (2018) Gaia DR2 reveals a very massive runaway star ejected from R136 in Astronomy & Astrophysics

 
Description The findings have been used to inform a variety of outreach activities, including talks to schools and amateur astronomy societies socities, as well as public lectures.
First Year Of Impact 2018
Sector Other
Impact Types Cultural,Societal