Astrophysics Research at the University of Leicester
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leicester
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
Our research aims to investigate a range of high-priority science topics in these areas:
i. studying high-energy and high-redshift explosive transients and how they relate to gravitational wave events
ii. investigating the growth and evolution of the first stars and black holes in galaxies
iii. determining the properties of accretion disks in active galactic nuclei
iv. measuring the fundamental properties of white dwarf stars, the remnants of stars like the Sun
v. investigating the properties of exoplanets, brown dwarfs and low mass stars
vi. determining the evolution of tidal disruption events in galaxies where stars are torn apart as they come close to a supermassive black
vii. investigating the origin of the stars seen in the centre of the Milky Way galaxy
viii. determining the structure of the Milky Way galaxy
ix. investigating the auroral emission of exoplanets
x. developing the concept of an intensity interferometry system for the Cherenkov Telescope Array to provide high-resolution images of cosmic objects
We will deliver this programme by carrying out observations using a broad range of ground and space based observing facilities, including XMM-Newton, HST, Swift, GAIA, JWST, ALMA, VLT, VISTA, WHT, INT, LT, NGTS, GOTO and Spitzer, and by conducting numerical simulations using major High Performance Computer facilities such as DiRAC.
i. studying high-energy and high-redshift explosive transients and how they relate to gravitational wave events
ii. investigating the growth and evolution of the first stars and black holes in galaxies
iii. determining the properties of accretion disks in active galactic nuclei
iv. measuring the fundamental properties of white dwarf stars, the remnants of stars like the Sun
v. investigating the properties of exoplanets, brown dwarfs and low mass stars
vi. determining the evolution of tidal disruption events in galaxies where stars are torn apart as they come close to a supermassive black
vii. investigating the origin of the stars seen in the centre of the Milky Way galaxy
viii. determining the structure of the Milky Way galaxy
ix. investigating the auroral emission of exoplanets
x. developing the concept of an intensity interferometry system for the Cherenkov Telescope Array to provide high-resolution images of cosmic objects
We will deliver this programme by carrying out observations using a broad range of ground and space based observing facilities, including XMM-Newton, HST, Swift, GAIA, JWST, ALMA, VLT, VISTA, WHT, INT, LT, NGTS, GOTO and Spitzer, and by conducting numerical simulations using major High Performance Computer facilities such as DiRAC.
Planned Impact
The applicants on the grant offer a diverse skill set that constitute a valuable resource to the private and public sectors. We have extensive experience and expertise in e.g. data analysis and handling, spacecraft and mission management, algorithm design, software engineering and high-performance computing. Exploitation of this expertise is supported at all levels within the University, and is a prime driver behind the £100M 'Space Park Leicester' concept.
The Department of Physics and Astronomy is committed to promoting and maximising the impact of our research. The College of Science and Engineering plays a leading role in the Enterprise Agenda for the University and offers dedicated enterprise officers and impact enhancing resources. Further support is provided by the University's Research and Enterprise Division, which works with academics and external stakeholders to create maximum impact in the local, national, and international community. This structure (i) delivers enterprising impact through the alignment of our research with major global and industrial challenges, (ii) identifies and addresses the opportunities to play a positive role in the economic development of our region and the UK, (iii) utilises research and related activities to develop skills and capability within a broad spectrum of the public and private sectors, (iv) provides expert advice and guidance to industry and policy makers, (v) ensures that its intellectual property is effectively transferred and disseminated, and (vi) contributes to the wider cultural benefit of society through an enterprising and engaging outreach programme.
The long-term impact strategy has four elements:
(1) to support and develop the skills and experience of the applicants;
(2) to ensure that links with public and private sector industries are developed and maximised;
(3) to disseminate knowledge, skills and expertise to the benefit of the local, national and international business and civic communities;
(4) to sustain and develop our successful outreach programme with particular emphasis on enhancing our efforts to develop valid outcome measures.
The Department of Physics and Astronomy is committed to promoting and maximising the impact of our research. The College of Science and Engineering plays a leading role in the Enterprise Agenda for the University and offers dedicated enterprise officers and impact enhancing resources. Further support is provided by the University's Research and Enterprise Division, which works with academics and external stakeholders to create maximum impact in the local, national, and international community. This structure (i) delivers enterprising impact through the alignment of our research with major global and industrial challenges, (ii) identifies and addresses the opportunities to play a positive role in the economic development of our region and the UK, (iii) utilises research and related activities to develop skills and capability within a broad spectrum of the public and private sectors, (iv) provides expert advice and guidance to industry and policy makers, (v) ensures that its intellectual property is effectively transferred and disseminated, and (vi) contributes to the wider cultural benefit of society through an enterprising and engaging outreach programme.
The long-term impact strategy has four elements:
(1) to support and develop the skills and experience of the applicants;
(2) to ensure that links with public and private sector industries are developed and maximised;
(3) to disseminate knowledge, skills and expertise to the benefit of the local, national and international business and civic communities;
(4) to sustain and develop our successful outreach programme with particular emphasis on enhancing our efforts to develop valid outcome measures.
Publications
Tanvir N
(2019)
Multiwavelength studies of gravitational wave sources: Physics and phenomenology
in Astronomische Nachrichten
Abdalla H
(2020)
Simultaneous observations of the blazar PKS 2155-304 from ultra-violet to TeV energies
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Pugliese G
(2024)
Rapid Response Mode observations of GRB 160203A: Looking for fine-structure line variability at z = 3.52
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Ackley K
(2020)
Observational constraints on the optical and near-infrared emission from the neutron star-black hole binary merger candidate S190814bv
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
De Ugarte Postigo A
(2020)
GRB 190114C in the nuclear region of an interacting galaxy A detailed host analysis using ALMA, the HST, and the VLT
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Heintz K
(2019)
New constraints on the physical conditions in H 2 -bearing GRB-host damped Lyman- a absorbers
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Heintz K
(2018)
Cold gas in the early Universe Survey for neutral atomic-carbon in GRB host galaxies at 1 < z < 6 from optical afterglow spectroscopy
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Neunteufel P
(2020)
Exploring velocity limits in the thermonuclear supernova ejection scenario for hypervelocity stars and the origin of US 708
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Bolmer J
(2019)
Evidence for diffuse molecular gas and dust in the hearts of gamma-ray burst host galaxies Unveiling the nature of high-redshift damped Lyman- a systems
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Selsing J
(2019)
The X-shooter GRB afterglow legacy sample (XS-GRB)
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Rossi A
(2022)
A blast from the infant Universe: The very high- z GRB 210905A
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Kann D
(2024)
Fires in the deep: The luminosity distribution of early-time gamma-ray-burst afterglows in light of the Gamow Explorer sensitivity requirements
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Vorobyov E
(2023)
Formation of pebbles in (gravito-)viscous protoplanetary disks with various turbulent strengths
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Melandri A
(2022)
The supernova of the MAGIC gamma-ray burst GRB 190114C
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Vielfaure J
(2021)
Gamma-ray bursts as probes of high-redshift Lyman- a emitters and radiative transfer models
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Melandri A
(2019)
Unveiling the enigma of ATLAS17aeu
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Heintz K
(2025)
The JWST-PRIMAL archival survey A JWST/NIRSpec reference sample for the physical properties and Lyman- a absorption and emission of ~600 galaxies at z = 5.0 - 13.4
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Saccardi A
(2023)
Dissecting the interstellar medium of a z = 6.3 galaxy X-shooter spectroscopy and HST imaging of the afterglow and environment of the Swift GRB 210905A
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Heintz K
(2019)
New constraints on the physical conditions in H 2 -bearing GRB-host damped Lyman- a absorbers
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Elbakyan V
(2021)
Accretion bursts in high-mass protostars: A new test bed for models of episodic accretion
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Melandri A
(2019)
Unveiling the enigma of ATLAS17aeu
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Vielfaure J
(2020)
Lyman continuum leakage in faint star-forming galaxies at redshift z = 3-3.5 probed by gamma-ray bursts
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Ackley K
(2020)
Observational constraints on the optical and near-infrared emission from the neutron star-black hole binary merger candidate S190814bv
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Rosati P
(2021)
Synergies of THESEUS with the large facilities of the 2030s and guest observer opportunities.
in Experimental astronomy
Tanvir N
(2021)
Exploration of the high-redshift universe enabled by THESEUS
in Experimental Astronomy
Ghirlanda G
(2021)
Gamma ray burst studies with THESEUS
in Experimental Astronomy
Piro L
(2022)
Athena synergies in the multi-messenger and transient universe
in Experimental Astronomy
Tanvir N
(2021)
Exploration of the high-redshift universe enabled by THESEUS
in Experimental Astronomy
Ciolfi R
(2021)
Multi-messenger astrophysics with THESEUS in the 2030s
in Experimental Astronomy
Ghirlanda G
(2021)
Gamma ray burst studies with THESEUS
in Experimental Astronomy
Amati L
(2021)
The THESEUS space mission: science goals, requirements and mission concept
in Experimental Astronomy
Rosati P
(2021)
Synergies of THESEUS with the large facilities of the 2030s and guest observer opportunities.
in Experimental astronomy
Nayakshin Sergei
(2019)
ALMA dusty annular structures: significant implications for planet and star formation theories
in From Stars to Planets II - Connecting our understanding of star and planet formation
Stratta G
(2022)
Breakthrough Multi-Messenger Astrophysics with the THESEUS Space Mission
in Galaxies
Abdalla H
(2021)
Sensitivity of the Cherenkov Telescope Array for probing cosmology and fundamental physics with gamma-ray propagation
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Higgins A
(2019)
SPLOT: a snapshot survey for polarized light in optical transients
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Humphries J
(2019)
On the origin of wide-orbit ALMA planets: giant protoplanets disrupted by their cores
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Cerruti M
(2020)
Very high energy ?-ray emission from two blazars of unknown redshift and upper limits on their distance
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Nayakshin S
(2020)
The paradox of youth for ALMA planet candidates
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Semczuk M
(2020)
Tidally induced warps of spiral galaxies in IllustrisTNG
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Evans P
(2019)
Erratum: Swift follow-up of gravitational wave triggers: results from the first aLIGO run and optimisation for the future
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Lamb G
(2021)
GRB jet structure and the jet break
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Liu Z
(2019)
X-ray properties of two transient ULX candidates in galaxy NGC 7090
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Alsaberi R
(2019)
Discovery of a pulsar-powered bow shock nebula in the Small Magellanic Cloud supernova remnant DEM S5
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Duffy C
(2021)
Evidence that short-period AM CVn systems are diverse in outburst behaviour
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Killestein T
(2021)
Transient-optimized real-bogus classification with Bayesian convolutional neural networks - sifting the GOTO candidate stream
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Burhanudin U
(2021)
Light-curve classification with recurrent neural networks for GOTO: dealing with imbalanced data
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Elbakyan V
(2023)
Episodic accretion and mergers during growth of massive protostars
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Elbakyan V
(2022)
Gap opening by planets in discs with magnetized winds
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Page K
(2020)
Swift -XRT follow-up of gravitational wave triggers during the third aLIGO/Virgo observing run
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
| Description | The research program funded by this award led to a substantial number of high-impact research publications, which are listed in the publications section. |
| Exploitation Route | The research papers are all available via internet links, and are on an archive system at http://arxiv.org/ |
| Sectors | Education Other |
| Description | ENGRAVE |
| Organisation | European Southern Observatory (ESO) |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Our Leicester team is part of a large international collaboration to use ESO telescopes and others, for follow-up of the electromagnetic counterparts of gravitational wave events. Tanvir is a member of the governing council of ENGRAVE. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The collaboration has over 250 members, who bring diverse expertise. In particular, real time duties are the responsibility of a core group of about 40 people currently. |
| Impact | One paper submitted so far. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | STARGATE |
| Organisation | European Southern Observatory (ESO) |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Tanvir is PI of a large collaboration whose goal is to obtain optical/nIR follow-up observations of gamma-ray bursts using ESO facilities. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The collaboration consists of a (geographically spread) core group who trigger and analyse the rapid target-of-opportunity observations, plus a wider group who contribute to planning, interpretation and analysis for at least some of the specialised sub-projects. (the number of partner institutions in this sense is large and fluid, and they are not individually listed. Similarly the value of the in-kind contributions is not well defined; except for ESO for which the value recorded here is a rough estimate) |
| Impact | About 15 papers written to date. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | VINROUGE |
| Organisation | European Southern Observatory (ESO) |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Tanvir is PI of a large international collaboration dedicated to using the ESO VISTA telescope for follow-up observations of gravitational wave events. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Other partners provide expertise on different aspects of our campaign. |
| Impact | Two papers directly; several others enabled by the results. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Astronomical Society (Knowle) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Talk to astronomical society |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Cardiff Astronomical Society |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Talk to society |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Cheltenham Science Festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Panel discussion |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Interview for BBC series "Universe" |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Gave wide ranging interview for the producers of the 2021 BBC series "Universe" introduced by Brian Cox. Some of the interview featured in the broadcast programme and some material was used to help script the main commentary. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Northants Natural History Society |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Talk to society |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Panel discussion at National Space Centre on one year of JWST observations |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Panel discussion |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Seminar at Goddard Space Flight Centre, USA |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Talk to scientists and engineers at NASA |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Talk at NewScientist Live event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Talk at NewScientist Live event |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Talk to Bromsgrove Astronomical Society |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Talk on the Big Bang theory |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Talk to Bromsgrove Astronomical Society |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Talk on reionization of the universe |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Talk to Cambridge University Astronomical Society |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Talk about gravitational waves and gamma-ray bursts |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Talk to Coventry and Warwickshire Astronomical Society |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Talk on using GRBs as probes of the early universe |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Talk to Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical Society |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Talking on gravitational waves and gamma-ray bursts to amateur astronomy group: hybrid format, both in person and on-line audience. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Talk to Nene Valley Astronomical Society |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Talk on the Big Bang |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Talk to Peterborough Astronomical Society |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Talk on GRBs as probes of the universe |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Talk to Rugby Astronomical Society |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Talk on GRBs as probes of the universe |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Talk to Sheffield Astronomical Society |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Talk on the Big Bang |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Talk to South East Kent Astronomical Society |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Talk about reionization |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Talk to Wessex Astronomical Society |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Talk on reionization and GRBs |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |