Astrophysics Research at the University of Leicester
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leicester
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
We will deliver world-class research programmes in astrophysics through the exploitation of data from space missions and ground based telescopes, as well as the development of new theories and the numerical simulation of processes in these areas. We will also develop new instrumental techniques and detectors for future missions and telescopes. The research programme is based mainly around two research groups, with some participation by three others. These groups conduct their own research projects but also have a strong ethos of collaboration on topics of mutual interest.
Our research seeks to understand basic processes in our own and other galaxies, addressing questions of great interest to the wider public. We will search for new planets orbiting nearby stars which may mimic the planets that are present in our own solar system or possibly be very different, such as hot Neptunes, or Super Earths.
We will investigate some of the most extreme environments in our Universe by high energy astrophysics research focusing on extreme phenomena ranging from Galactic black hole binaries, through to active galactic nuclei and gamma-ray bursts. These studies will include the feedback processes that link black holes to the evolution of their host galaxies.
We will maintain and enhance a programme in stellar astronomy with emphasis on the astrophysics of white dwarf stars. We will be using high performance computers to simulate these systems theoretically. This in turn will help our observations and vice versa. Through these simulations we will build theories and models of how these extreme systems behave. We will use these simulations to try to understand the `dark' matter which constitutes much of the material
content of the Universe. We will use laboratory experimentation to develop new ways to observe these phenomena, building new instruments for the next generation of space missions.
This work also offers spin-off activities which often drive progress in areas far removed from astrophysics. Our department has an active programme of engagement with the wider community, particularly school age children, who are thrilled to hear about research in the Department. We will maintain a strong commitment to knowledge transfer for academic beneficiaries.
Our research seeks to understand basic processes in our own and other galaxies, addressing questions of great interest to the wider public. We will search for new planets orbiting nearby stars which may mimic the planets that are present in our own solar system or possibly be very different, such as hot Neptunes, or Super Earths.
We will investigate some of the most extreme environments in our Universe by high energy astrophysics research focusing on extreme phenomena ranging from Galactic black hole binaries, through to active galactic nuclei and gamma-ray bursts. These studies will include the feedback processes that link black holes to the evolution of their host galaxies.
We will maintain and enhance a programme in stellar astronomy with emphasis on the astrophysics of white dwarf stars. We will be using high performance computers to simulate these systems theoretically. This in turn will help our observations and vice versa. Through these simulations we will build theories and models of how these extreme systems behave. We will use these simulations to try to understand the `dark' matter which constitutes much of the material
content of the Universe. We will use laboratory experimentation to develop new ways to observe these phenomena, building new instruments for the next generation of space missions.
This work also offers spin-off activities which often drive progress in areas far removed from astrophysics. Our department has an active programme of engagement with the wider community, particularly school age children, who are thrilled to hear about research in the Department. We will maintain a strong commitment to knowledge transfer for academic beneficiaries.
Planned Impact
The applicants 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. 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 Enterprise and Business Development Office, which works with academics and external stakeholders to create maximum impact in the local, provide 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, cultivated and maximised;
(3) to disseminate knowledge, skills and expterise 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.
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 Enterprise and Business Development Office, which works with academics and external stakeholders to create maximum impact in the local, provide 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, cultivated and maximised;
(3) to disseminate knowledge, skills and expterise 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.
Organisations
Publications
Gompertz B
(2018)
The Diversity of Kilonova Emission in Short Gamma-Ray Bursts
in The Astrophysical Journal
Perley D
(2016)
THE SWIFT GRB HOST GALAXY LEGACY SURVEY. II. REST-FRAME NEAR-IR LUMINOSITY DISTRIBUTION AND EVIDENCE FOR A NEAR-SOLAR METALLICITY THRESHOLD
in The Astrophysical Journal
Williams P
(2020)
Space Telescope and Optical Reverberation Mapping Project. XII. Broad-line Region Modeling of NGC 5548
in The Astrophysical Journal
Edelson R
(2019)
The First Swift Intensive AGN Accretion Disk Reverberation Mapping Survey
in The Astrophysical Journal
Mathur S
(2017)
Space Telescope and Optical Reverberation Mapping Project. VII. Understanding the Ultraviolet Anomaly in NGC 5548 with X-Ray Spectroscopy
in The Astrophysical Journal
Edelson R
(2019)
The First Swift Intensive AGN Accretion Disk Reverberation Mapping Survey
in The Astrophysical Journal
Bond H
(2017)
The Sirius System and Its Astrophysical Puzzles: Hubble Space Telescope and Ground-based Astrometry *
in The Astrophysical Journal
Starkey D
(2017)
SPACE TELESCOPE AND OPTICAL REVERBERATION MAPPING PROJECT.VI. REVERBERATING DISK MODELS FOR NGC 5548
in The Astrophysical Journal
Pei L
(2017)
Space Telescope and Optical Reverberation Mapping Project. V. Optical Spectroscopic Campaign and Emission-line Analysis for NGC 5548
in The Astrophysical Journal
Dehghanian M
(2019)
Space Telescope and Optical Reverberation Mapping Project. X. Understanding the Absorption-line Holiday in NGC 5548
in The Astrophysical Journal
Levan A
(2016)
LATE TIME MULTI-WAVELENGTH OBSERVATIONS OF SWIFT J1644+5734: A LUMINOUS OPTICAL/IR BUMP AND QUIESCENT X-RAY EMISSION
in The Astrophysical Journal
Hjorth J
(2017)
The Distance to NGC 4993: The Host Galaxy of the Gravitational-wave Event GW170817
in The Astrophysical Journal
Fausnaugh M
(2016)
SPACE TELESCOPE AND OPTICAL REVERBERATION MAPPING PROJECT. III. OPTICAL CONTINUUM EMISSION AND BROADBAND TIME DELAYS IN NGC 5548
in The Astrophysical Journal
Perley D
(2016)
THE SWIFT GAMMA-RAY BURST HOST GALAXY LEGACY SURVEY. I. SAMPLE SELECTION AND REDSHIFT DISTRIBUTION
in The Astrophysical Journal
Edelson R
(2019)
The First Swift Intensive AGN Accretion Disk Reverberation Mapping Survey
in The Astrophysical Journal
McGuire J
(2016)
DETECTION OF THREE GAMMA-RAY BURST HOST GALAXIES AT z ~ 6
in The Astrophysical Journal
Goad M
(2016)
SPACE TELESCOPE AND OPTICAL REVERBERATION MAPPING PROJECT. IV. ANOMALOUS BEHAVIOR OF THE BROAD ULTRAVIOLET EMISSION LINES IN NGC 5548
in The Astrophysical Journal
Abdalla H
(2021)
Search for Dark Matter Annihilation Signals from Unidentified Fermi-LAT Objects with H.E.S.S.
in The Astrophysical Journal
Edelson R
(2017)
Swift Monitoring of NGC 4151: Evidence for a Second X-Ray/UV Reprocessing
in The Astrophysical Journal
Lamb G
(2020)
GRB 170817A as a Refreshed Shock Afterglow Viewed Off-axis
in The Astrophysical Journal
Alexander K
(2017)
A Reverse Shock and Unusual Radio Properties in GRB 160625B
in The Astrophysical Journal
Reeves J
(2016)
DISCOVERY OF BROAD SOFT X-RAY ABSORPTION LINES FROM THE QUASAR WIND IN PDS 456
in The Astrophysical Journal
Troja E
(2016)
AN ACHROMATIC BREAK IN THE AFTERGLOW OF THE SHORT GRB 140903A: EVIDENCE FOR A NARROW JET
in The Astrophysical Journal
Klingler N
(2021)
Swift Multiwavelength Follow-up of LVC S200224ca and the Implications for Binary Black Hole Mergers
in The Astrophysical Journal
Perley D
(2016)
Long-Duration Gamma-Ray Burst Host Galaxies in Emission and Absorption
in Space Science Reviews
Yuan W
(2016)
Perspectives on Gamma-Ray Burst Physics and Cosmology with Next Generation Facilities
in Space Science Reviews
Cucchiara A
(2016)
GRBs as Probes of the IGM
in Space Science Reviews
Williams JO
(2016)
Towards a Graphene-Based Low Intensity Photon Counting Photodetector.
in Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
Evans PA
(2017)
Swift and NuSTAR observations of GW170817: Detection of a blue kilonova.
in Science (New York, N.Y.)
H.E.S.S. Collaboration
(2021)
Revealing x-ray and gamma ray temporal and spectral similarities in the GRB 190829A afterglow.
in Science (New York, N.Y.)
Bond Howard E.
(2018)
Final Hubble Space Telescope Astrometry of the Procyon Binary System
in Research Notes of the American Astronomical Society
Finch N. L.
(2019)
Spectral Analysis of Binary Pre-white Dwarf Systems
in Radiative Signatures from the Cosmos
McCormac J
(2017)
The Next Generation Transit Survey-Prototyping Phase
in Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Scowen P
(2017)
Finding the UV-Visible Path Forward: Proceedings of the Community Workshop to Plan the Future of UV/Visible Space Astrophysics
in Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Nayakshin S
(2017)
Dawes Review 7: The Tidal Downsizing Hypothesis of Planet Formation
in Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia
Wiersema K
(2018)
Calibration of EFOSC2 Broadband Linear Imaging Polarimetry
in Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia
Makrygianni L
(2021)
Processing GOTO survey data with the Rubin Observatory LSST Science Pipelines II: Forced Photometry and lightcurves
in Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia
Finch N
(2020)
What can ISM and non-photospheric highly ionised lines in white dwarf spectra reveal about the ß CMa tunnel?
in Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union
Jones C
(2016)
DIVISION D COMMISSION 44: SPACE AND HIGH-ENERGY ASTROPHYSICS
in Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union
Joyce S
(2018)
The white dwarf mass-radius relation with Gaia, Hubble and FUSE
in Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union
Abdalla H
(2016)
H.E.S.S. Limits on Linelike Dark Matter Signatures in the 100 GeV to 2 TeV Energy Range Close to the Galactic Center
in Physical Review Letters
Abdallah H
(2021)
Search for dark matter annihilation in the Wolf-Lundmark-Melotte dwarf irregular galaxy with H.E.S.S.
in Physical Review D
Sanders J
(2016)
Indirect dark matter detection for flattened dwarf galaxies
in Physical Review D
Tilley F
(2016)
Scanning tunneling microscopy contrast of isovalent impurities on the GaAs (110) surface explained with a geometrical model
in Physical Review B
Finch N
(2018)
Spectral analysis of the binary nucleus of the planetary nebula Hen 2-428 - first results
in Open Astronomy
Covino S
(2017)
The unpolarized macronova associated with the gravitational wave event GW 170817
in Nature Astronomy
Covino S
(2017)
The unpolarized macronova associated with the gravitational wave event GW 170817
in Nature Astronomy
Pian E
(2017)
Spectroscopic identification of r-process nucleosynthesis in a double neutron-star merger.
in Nature
LIGO Scientific Collaboration And The Virgo Collaboration
(2017)
A gravitational-wave standard siren measurement of the Hubble constant.
in Nature
Gillon M
(2017)
Seven temperate terrestrial planets around the nearby ultracool dwarf star TRAPPIST-1.
in Nature
| Description | Further progress in a variety of fields of astrophysics. |
| Exploitation Route | Further research in various areas of astrophysics. |
| Sectors | Education |
| Description | Royal Society Research Grant |
| Amount | £13,055 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | RG170230 |
| Organisation | The Royal Society |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2017 |
| End | 10/2018 |
| Title | NGTS-4b A sub-Neptune transiting in the desert |
| Description | VizieR online Data Catalogue associated with article published in journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society with title ' NGTS-4b: A sub-Neptune transiting in the desert.' (bibcode: 2019MNRAS.486.5094W) |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| URL | https://cdsarc.cds.unistra.fr/viz-bin/cat/J/MNRAS/486/5094 |
| Title | NGTS-8b and NGTS-9b non-inflated hot Jupiters |
| Description | VizieR online Data Catalogue associated with article published in journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society with title ' NGTS-8b and NGTS-9b: two non-inflated hot Jupiters.' (bibcode: 2020MNRAS.491.2834C) |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| URL | https://cdsarc.cds.unistra.fr/viz-bin/cat/J/MNRAS/491/2834 |
| Title | Runaway gas accretion and ALMA observations |
| Description | VizieR online Data Catalogue associated with article published in journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society with title ' ALMA observations require slower Core Accretion runaway growth.' (bibcode: 2019MNRAS.488L..12N) |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| URL | https://cdsarc.cds.unistra.fr/viz-bin/cat/J/MNRAS/488/L12 |
| Title | TESS and NGTS LCs and RVs of NGTS-11 |
| Description | VizieR online Data Catalogue associated with article published in journal Astronomical Journal (AAS) with title 'NGTS-11 b (TOI-1847 b): a transiting warm Saturn recovered from a TESS single-transit event.' (bibcode: 2020ApJ...898L..11G) |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| URL | https://cdsarc.cds.unistra.fr/viz-bin/cat/J/ApJ/898/L11 |
| Title | TGAS distances |
| Description | VizieR online Data Catalogue associated with article published in journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society with title ' Warp, waves, and wrinkles in the Milky Way.' (bibcode: 2018MNRAS.478.3809S) |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| URL | https://cdsarc.cds.unistra.fr/viz-bin/cat/J/MNRAS/478/3809 |
| Title | TIC-231005575 photometric and RV curves |
| Description | VizieR online Data Catalogue associated with article published in journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society with title ' A long period (P = 61.8 d) M5V dwarf eclipsing a Sun-like star from TESS and NGTS.' (bibcode: 2020MNRAS.495.2713G) |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| URL | https://cdsarc.cds.unistra.fr/viz-bin/cat/J/MNRAS/495/2713 |
| Title | iz photometry of S190814bv ctp candidates |
| Description | VizieR online Data Catalogue associated with article published in journal Astronomy & Astrophysics with title 'Observational constraints on the optical and near-infrared emission from the neutron star-black hole binary merger candidate S190814bv.' (bibcode: 2020A&A...643A.113A) |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| URL | https://cdsarc.cds.unistra.fr/viz-bin/cat/J/A+A/643/A113 |
| Description | Creativity and Curiosity - Art meets astronomy |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The project started as a discussion between artists and astronomers to stimulate new art and engage with new audiences. Events have included exhibitions of the artworks and associated discussion events across the county and abroad. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://www.creativityandcuriosity.com |
| Description | US NSF announcement of discovery of first gravitational wave source with electromagnetic counterpart - Oct 2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | US National Science Foundation press release. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://www.ligo.caltech.edu/page/press-release-gw170817 |
| Description | Various school visits, astronomical society lectures |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Many presentations, 100s of students, excellent questions and discussion. Audience figures are totals for activities during each year. Improvements in interest in applying for science degrees |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018,2019,2020,2021 |