IoA Theoretical and X-ray Astronomy consolidation
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Institute of Astronomy
Abstract
This proposal is for an interim grant to support research in Theoretical Astrophysics and X-ray Astronomy at the Institute of Astronomy (IoA), as part of a transition to a fully consolidated IoA Astronomy grant proposal in 2012.
The Theory theme addresses a wide range of astrophysical phenomena ranging from the origin of the Universe itself to the formation and evolution of galaxies, stars and planets. One of the main areas of investigation is cosmology. Members of the IoA are playing a leading role in the European Space Agency Planck mission, and will lead a definitive determination of the cosmological parameters including the age, size, dark matter, dark energy and baryonic contents of the Universe. Another project will carry out theoretical simulations and analysis of the subsequent evolution of cosmic structure during the epoch of reionisation, when the first stars and galaxies were formed.
Star formation is another major focus of the grant, on scales ranging from galaxies, where the molecular clouds giving birth to stars are formed, to the formation of stars and star clusters within these molecular clouds. These investigations will combine state-of-the-art numerical simulations with analytical theory and a rich new set of multi-wavelength observations of nearby galaxies being obtained with the Herschel and Spitzer space observatories under IoA leadership.
The understanding of planetary systems around stars and their formation is another goal of the Theory theme. One project will focus on modelling the properties of debris discs, discs of asteroids, cometary objects, and dust surrounding stars, using a complete IoA-led survey of nearby stars with the Herschel observatory (DEBRIS project). Another project is directed at modelling the evolution of the planetary orbits themselves in different stellar environments and stellar evolutionary stages.
The final component of the Theoretical Astronomy theme is the modelling of binary star systems, and improving our understanding of how double star systems evolve when the component stars are immersed in a common envelope. This phase of evolution is important for understanding a wide range of observed stellar systems including cataclysmic variables, X-ray binaries, and the progenitors of supernovae, including the Type Ia supernovae which are used as cosmological standard candles.
The second theme of the proposal is X-ray Astronomy. The research will exploit a large body of observations of galaxies, galaxy clusters, and Galactic X-ray binary systems being obtained by the X-ray group on the Chandra, XMM-Newton, Suzaku and ASTRO-H X-ray observatories to carry out three projects.
One project will carry out measurements of the spin of black holes, both the supermassive black holes which power the enormous energy emissions from quasars and other active galactic nuclei, and the stellar-mass black holes in binary star systems. This work, based on spectroscopy of relativistically-broadened iron lines, will also provide insights into the accretion phenomena that power the systems.
Another project will combine deep X-ray imaging and spectroscopy of the cores of galaxy clusters to study the physical conditions, turbulence, and acoustic waves and shocks in the intracluster medium, and constrain the physical nature of the feedback of radiative and mechanical energy from the galaxies in the cores of the cluster and the surrounding intergalactic gas in the clusters.
A related project will combine these X-ray data with multi-wavelength measurements of the intergalactic filaments and other gas components in the clusters, to understand the feedback processes linking cooling of intergalactic gas into the central galaxies and the subsequent heating of the surroundings by the central galaxies and their embedded black holes.
The Theory theme addresses a wide range of astrophysical phenomena ranging from the origin of the Universe itself to the formation and evolution of galaxies, stars and planets. One of the main areas of investigation is cosmology. Members of the IoA are playing a leading role in the European Space Agency Planck mission, and will lead a definitive determination of the cosmological parameters including the age, size, dark matter, dark energy and baryonic contents of the Universe. Another project will carry out theoretical simulations and analysis of the subsequent evolution of cosmic structure during the epoch of reionisation, when the first stars and galaxies were formed.
Star formation is another major focus of the grant, on scales ranging from galaxies, where the molecular clouds giving birth to stars are formed, to the formation of stars and star clusters within these molecular clouds. These investigations will combine state-of-the-art numerical simulations with analytical theory and a rich new set of multi-wavelength observations of nearby galaxies being obtained with the Herschel and Spitzer space observatories under IoA leadership.
The understanding of planetary systems around stars and their formation is another goal of the Theory theme. One project will focus on modelling the properties of debris discs, discs of asteroids, cometary objects, and dust surrounding stars, using a complete IoA-led survey of nearby stars with the Herschel observatory (DEBRIS project). Another project is directed at modelling the evolution of the planetary orbits themselves in different stellar environments and stellar evolutionary stages.
The final component of the Theoretical Astronomy theme is the modelling of binary star systems, and improving our understanding of how double star systems evolve when the component stars are immersed in a common envelope. This phase of evolution is important for understanding a wide range of observed stellar systems including cataclysmic variables, X-ray binaries, and the progenitors of supernovae, including the Type Ia supernovae which are used as cosmological standard candles.
The second theme of the proposal is X-ray Astronomy. The research will exploit a large body of observations of galaxies, galaxy clusters, and Galactic X-ray binary systems being obtained by the X-ray group on the Chandra, XMM-Newton, Suzaku and ASTRO-H X-ray observatories to carry out three projects.
One project will carry out measurements of the spin of black holes, both the supermassive black holes which power the enormous energy emissions from quasars and other active galactic nuclei, and the stellar-mass black holes in binary star systems. This work, based on spectroscopy of relativistically-broadened iron lines, will also provide insights into the accretion phenomena that power the systems.
Another project will combine deep X-ray imaging and spectroscopy of the cores of galaxy clusters to study the physical conditions, turbulence, and acoustic waves and shocks in the intracluster medium, and constrain the physical nature of the feedback of radiative and mechanical energy from the galaxies in the cores of the cluster and the surrounding intergalactic gas in the clusters.
A related project will combine these X-ray data with multi-wavelength measurements of the intergalactic filaments and other gas components in the clusters, to understand the feedback processes linking cooling of intergalactic gas into the central galaxies and the subsequent heating of the surroundings by the central galaxies and their embedded black holes.
Planned Impact
The main societal impacts of this research are in the areas of public engagement and inspiration of future young scientists. Many of the proposed projects are coupled to high-profile missions and investigations,
which will impact the public through press and image releases, public lectures, interviews with the print, radio, and television media, popular articles and books, and formally organised outreach activities.
Projects which are sure to produce high-impact science in the public area include the announcement of first full results on cosmological parameters from the ESA Planck mission in early 2013, work on deep X-ray imaging and spectroscopy of clusters with the XMM-Newton and Chandra missions, and the interpretations of data from the Herschel Space Observatory on star formation in galaxies and debris discs. The Co-Applicants and their collaborators have established a heritage of high-visibility results in these and related areas, and will coordinate closely with media and outreach offices of the STFC, ESA, and relevant mission offices.
The Institute of Astronomy fully embraces the outreach agenda of the STFC, and the research activities in the Theoretical Astronomy and X-ray Astronomy themes form core components feeding these activities. Impacts will arise from a combination of IoA-organised efforts and individual activities by the Co-Applicants and PDRAs.
The wide range of outreach activity is made possible by the critical mass of astronomy activity at IoA and through contributions from our major research grants and from Departmental resources. These include weekly public evening lectures and (weather permitting) observing sessions in the winter which attract more than 1500 people per year, an annual open day which attracts comparable numbers in a single afternoon and evening, one-day schools workshops, on-line newsletters, podcasts, and an informal website, and an Artist-in-Residence programme.
Virtually every Co-Applicant and PDRA also undertakes public engagement and outreach activities individually, and many (e.g., Crawford, Efstathiou, Fabian, Kennicutt, Rees) have engaged in scores of activities over the past five years, via named and national public lectures, speaking at national amateur astronomy meetings and festivals, radio and television interviews and programmes, and by writing popular articles and books. Worth of special mention is the recent work by Fabian with the STFC in developing a booklet "A New View of the Universe: Big Science for a Big Society" which presents the scientific and Council objectives for astronomy in the coming decade, and documents the many broader economic and societal impacts of astronomy, ranging from technology transfer (e.g., WIFI, GPS, detectors, adaptive optics) to major societal priorities (e.g., climate change, energy sustainability). Co-Applicant C. Crawford, in addition to leading the IoA outreach programme, is an active spokesperson for astronomy in her own right, and in 2009 was received a UKRC Woman of Outstanding Achievement award in recognition of her work in fostering engagement between scientists and the public. Last but hardly least Co-Applicant and Astronomer Royal M. Rees continues to serve as one of the UK's leaders in the scientific community, and has engaged with the public on countless occasions through books and popular articles, public lectures, and most recently through is service as President of the Royal Society.
The effectiveness of this collection of activities owes much of its success to the work of the IoA Outreach Officer, Co-Applicant Carolin Crawford. This work is supported by an 0.5 FTE appointment, and this proposal requests funding for 40% of this work (0.2 FTE), which we estimate represents the fraction of activities relating to the work of the Applicants and PDRAs on this grant.
which will impact the public through press and image releases, public lectures, interviews with the print, radio, and television media, popular articles and books, and formally organised outreach activities.
Projects which are sure to produce high-impact science in the public area include the announcement of first full results on cosmological parameters from the ESA Planck mission in early 2013, work on deep X-ray imaging and spectroscopy of clusters with the XMM-Newton and Chandra missions, and the interpretations of data from the Herschel Space Observatory on star formation in galaxies and debris discs. The Co-Applicants and their collaborators have established a heritage of high-visibility results in these and related areas, and will coordinate closely with media and outreach offices of the STFC, ESA, and relevant mission offices.
The Institute of Astronomy fully embraces the outreach agenda of the STFC, and the research activities in the Theoretical Astronomy and X-ray Astronomy themes form core components feeding these activities. Impacts will arise from a combination of IoA-organised efforts and individual activities by the Co-Applicants and PDRAs.
The wide range of outreach activity is made possible by the critical mass of astronomy activity at IoA and through contributions from our major research grants and from Departmental resources. These include weekly public evening lectures and (weather permitting) observing sessions in the winter which attract more than 1500 people per year, an annual open day which attracts comparable numbers in a single afternoon and evening, one-day schools workshops, on-line newsletters, podcasts, and an informal website, and an Artist-in-Residence programme.
Virtually every Co-Applicant and PDRA also undertakes public engagement and outreach activities individually, and many (e.g., Crawford, Efstathiou, Fabian, Kennicutt, Rees) have engaged in scores of activities over the past five years, via named and national public lectures, speaking at national amateur astronomy meetings and festivals, radio and television interviews and programmes, and by writing popular articles and books. Worth of special mention is the recent work by Fabian with the STFC in developing a booklet "A New View of the Universe: Big Science for a Big Society" which presents the scientific and Council objectives for astronomy in the coming decade, and documents the many broader economic and societal impacts of astronomy, ranging from technology transfer (e.g., WIFI, GPS, detectors, adaptive optics) to major societal priorities (e.g., climate change, energy sustainability). Co-Applicant C. Crawford, in addition to leading the IoA outreach programme, is an active spokesperson for astronomy in her own right, and in 2009 was received a UKRC Woman of Outstanding Achievement award in recognition of her work in fostering engagement between scientists and the public. Last but hardly least Co-Applicant and Astronomer Royal M. Rees continues to serve as one of the UK's leaders in the scientific community, and has engaged with the public on countless occasions through books and popular articles, public lectures, and most recently through is service as President of the Royal Society.
The effectiveness of this collection of activities owes much of its success to the work of the IoA Outreach Officer, Co-Applicant Carolin Crawford. This work is supported by an 0.5 FTE appointment, and this proposal requests funding for 40% of this work (0.2 FTE), which we estimate represents the fraction of activities relating to the work of the Applicants and PDRAs on this grant.
Organisations
Publications
Mislis D
(2012)
A massive exoplanet candidate around KOI-13: independent confirmation by ellipsoidal variations A massive exoplanet candidate around KOI-13
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Sanders J
(2013)
Velocity width measurements of the coolest X-ray emitting material in the cores of clusters, groups and elliptical galaxies
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Hlavacek-Larrondo J
(2012)
On the hunt for ultramassive black holes in brightest cluster galaxies UMBHs in BCGs
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Veras D
(2012)
Disrupting primordial planet signatures: the close encounter of two single-planet exosystems in the Galactic disc Disrupting primordial planet signatures
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Walmswell J
(2013)
The evolution of planetesimal swarms in self-gravitating protoplanetary discs
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Parkin T
(2012)
The gas-to-dust mass ratio of Centaurus A as seen by Herschel? The gas-to-dust mass ratio of Cen A
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Sanfrutos M
(2013)
The size of the X-ray emitting region in SWIFT J2127.4+5654 via a broad line region cloud X-ray eclipse
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Amaro-Seoane P
(2012)
Tidal disruptions of separated binaries in galactic nuclei Tidal disruptions of separated binaries
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Karl S
(2013)
Constrained simulations of the Antennae galaxies: comparison with Herschel-PACS observations?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Bilir S
(2012)
Local stellar kinematics from RAVE data - III. Radial and vertical metallicity gradients based on red clump stars Metallicity gradient from RAVE DR3
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Owen J
(2013)
Characterizing thermal sweeping: a rapid disc dispersal mechanism
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Walker S
(2013)
X-ray exploration of the outskirts of the nearby Centaurus cluster using Suzaku and Chandra
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Bernard E
(2012)
A deep, wide-field study of Holmberg II with Suprime-Cam: evidence for ram pressure stripping A wide-field study of Holmberg II
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Galametz M
(2013)
Calibration of the total infrared luminosity of nearby galaxies from Spitzer and Herschel bands
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Potter A
(2012)
Towards a unified model of stellar rotation - II. Model-dependent characteristics of stellar populations Stellar populations including rotation
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Mocz P
(2013)
Cosmological growth and feedback from supermassive black holes
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Vasudevan R
(2013)
Three active galactic nuclei close to the effective Eddington limit for dusty gas
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Savaglio S
(2012)
Supersolar metal abundances in two galaxies at z ~ 3.57 revealed by the GRB 090323 afterglow spectrum? Supersolar metallicity in two z~ 3.57 galaxies
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Carballo-Bello J
(2012)
Outer density profiles of 19 Galactic globular clusters from deep and wide-field imaging Outer density profiles of globular clusters
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Barnabè M
(2012)
The SWELLS survey - IV. Precision measurements of the stellar and dark matter distributions in a spiral lens galaxy The SWELLS survey - IV
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Hlavacek-Larrondo J
(2013)
The rapid evolution of AGN feedback in brightest cluster galaxies: switching from quasar-mode to radio-mode feedback
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Maddox N
(2012)
The large area KX quasar catalogue - I. Analysis of the photometric redshift selection and the complete quasar catalogue The large area KX quasar catalogue
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
De Marco B
(2013)
Discovery of a relation between black hole mass and soft X-ray time lags in active galactic nuclei
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Veras D
(2012)
The Solar system's post-main-sequence escape boundary Solar system's post-MS escape boundary
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Karczewski O
(2013)
A multiwavelength study of the Magellanic-type galaxy NGC 4449 - I. Modelling the spectral energy distribution, the ionization structure and the star formation history
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Mackey A
(2013)
Young accreted globular clusters in the outer halo of M31
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Walton D
(2012)
The similarity of broad iron lines in X-ray binaries and active galactic nuclei Comparing broad iron lines in XRBs and AGNs
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Mortlock D
(2012)
Probabilistic selection of high-redshift quasars Probabilistic quasar selection
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Fabian A
(2013)
Long XMM observation of the narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy IRAS 13224-3809: rapid variability, high spin and a soft lag
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Kara E
(2013)
Revealing the X-ray source in IRAS 13224-3809 through flux-dependent reverberation lags
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Raskutti S
(2012)
Thermal constraints on the reionization of hydrogen by Population II stellar sources Thermal constraints on hydrogen reionization
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Chiang C
(2012)
Re-examining the XMM-Newton spectrum of the black hole candidate XTE J1652-453 Re-examining XMM spectrum of XTE J1652-453
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Mustill A
(2013)
Main-sequence progenitor configurations of the NN Ser candidate circumbinary planetary system are dynamically unstable
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Steiner J
(2012)
A broad iron line in LMC X-1 A broad iron line in LMC X-1
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Walton D
(2013)
Suzaku observations of 'bare' active galactic nuclei
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jarvis M
(2013)
The VISTA Deep Extragalactic Observations (VIDEO) survey?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Richardson C
(2013)
The nature of the H2-emitting gas in the Crab nebula?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Birkby J
(2012)
Discovery and characterization of detached M dwarf eclipsing binaries in the WFCAM Transit Survey WTS: masses and radii of M dwarf EBs
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Kara E
(2013)
Discovery of high-frequency iron K lags in Ark 564 and Mrk 335
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Ishibashi W
(2013)
Can AGN feedback-driven star formation explain the size evolution of massive galaxies?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Cooke R
(2012)
A new candidate for probing Population III nucleosynthesis with carbon-enhanced damped Lya systems A new candidate CEMP DLA
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Heida M
(2013)
VLT/FORS2 observations of four high-luminosity ULX candidates?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Salucci P
(2012)
Dwarf spheroidal galaxy kinematics and spiral galaxy scaling laws DSph galaxy kinematics and spiral galaxy scaling laws
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Chiang C
(2013)
Confirmation of the nature of the absorber in IRAS 09104+4109
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Veras D
(2013)
An exoplanet's response to anisotropic stellar mass loss during birth and death
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Wilkins D
(2012)
Understanding X-ray reflection emissivity profiles in AGN: locating the X-ray source X-ray reflection emissivity profiles in AGN
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Russell H
(2012)
The X-ray luminous cluster underlying the z = 1.04 quasar PKS 1229-021 The X-ray luminous cluster underlying PKS 1229-021
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Agnello A
(2012)
Virial sequences for thick discs and haloes: flattening and global anisotropy Thick discs and haloes
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Walker S
(2012)
Further X-ray observations of the galaxy cluster PKS 0745-191 to the virial radius and beyond PKS 0745-191 at the virial radius
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Young M
(2012)
Reliable estimation of the column density in smoothed particle hydrodynamic simulations Gravity estimate of column density
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society