The evolution of Brightest Cluster Galaxies
Lead Research Organisation:
Liverpool John Moores University
Department Name: Astrophysics Research Institute
Abstract
The evolution of Brightest Cluster Galaxies
People |
ORCID iD |
| Christopher Collins (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Kate Furnell (Student) |
Publications
Furnell K
(2018)
Breaking the silence.
in Science (New York, N.Y.)
Furnell K
(2018)
Exploring relations between BCG and cluster properties in the SPectroscopic IDentification of eROSITA Sources survey from 0.05 <z < 0.3
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST/N504154/1 | 01/10/2015 | 31/03/2021 | |||
| 1693899 | Studentship | ST/N504154/1 | 01/10/2015 | 31/03/2019 | Kate Furnell |
| Description | SPIDERS (SDSS) |
| Organisation | Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS-III) |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I have worked as part of the SPIDERS (SPectroscopic IDentification of EROSITA Sources) team for ~2 years creating a sample of Brightest Cluster Galaxies in X-ray selected clusters. The goal of SPIDERS is to provide spectroscopic follow-up on clusters to be detected by the upcoming eROSITA satellite, due for launch in November 2018. Currently, follow-up is commencing on the CODEX cluster sample (Finoguenov et al., in prep), a sample of ROSAT sources with corresponding red-sequences matched to redMaPPer cluster-finder detections. As a result of my work, I have submitted a paper to Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (Exploring Relations Between BCG Structural Parameters and Environmental Properties in the SPectroscopic IDentification of EROSITA Sources Survey from 0.05 < z < 0.3), which has been accepted condition to moderate review. I have also helped in joint-producing a value-added catalogue of BCG properties (Erfanianfar, Furnell et al., 2017), assisted with visual inspection efforts for a value-added catalogue of cluster dynamics (Clerc et al., 2017) and contributed/spoken at five associated conferences (eBOSS 2016, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland; CODEX, MPE, Garching, Germany (twice, 2016); SPIDERS, MPE, Garching, Germany (twice, 2017 & 2018)). |
| Collaborator Contribution | My partners have provided me with SDSS proprietary data, paper feedback and general ideas for projects. |
| Impact | The collaboration is not multi-disciplinary, it is purely observational astrophysics/cosmology. I have listed current outcomes under my contributions to this collaboration. The current intention is to complete another short project using BCGs from the SDSS VAC, most likely to look at merging pairs of BCGs in SDSS data to understand the impact of cluster dynamics on BCG growth, and how much growth is seen in BCGs from major mergers at late times. |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Community Engagement Acitivity - Liverpool (National Schools' Observatory) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | The event was an evening workshop aimed at homeschooled students from religious communities in Liverpool. We introduced our research, held various activities (quizzes, an infrared camera, puzzles, etc) with the goal of getting KS1-KS2 children interested in astronomy and STEM subjects as a whole. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Cosford Airshow (National Schools' Observatory) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Stall at hangar at Cosford air show over 2 days - stall reached hundreds of interested people over that time, while the whole event was attended by 50,000 people. There were several stalls and activities, including: visual representation of cosmological simulations partially built by individuals in the department, astronomy-themed puzzles, constellation competitions and information about the observing facilities partially-owned by LJMU in La Palma. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Diversity in Space Careers Event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | I gave a 15 minute talk on mental mealth in the astronomical community (at the Royal Astronomical Society in Burlington House, London) directed at research staff, undergraduates and postgraduates, similar to the one I gave at EWASS 2018 in Liverpool. I spoke about my personal circumstances and what things the community could do to improve the environment for individuals such as myself. Afterwards, I was approached by numerous individuals informing me of how helpful they had found my talk, with many of them disclosing to me their own personal experiences. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | EWASS Equity and Diversity in Astronomy Talk (Mental Health) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | I delivered a 15 minute talk on my personal mental health in the astronomy community at the largest annual astronomical research conference in Europe and the Equity and Diversity in Astronomy Special Session. There was much discussion afterwards by members of the community about my talk, which resulted in me publishing an article in Science about my experiences (which, to date, has been shared over 4000 times). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Liverpool Telescope Exhibit at Tate Modern, Liverpool (National Schools' Observatory) |
| 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 | Manned the stall at the Tate LT exhibit and answered audience questions/directed members of the audience towards aspects of the exhibit. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Merseyside Young Scientist Awards (National Schools' Observatory/The Ogden Trust) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Helped host and run the 2017 YSOTY awards at Spaceport, Seacome Ferry. Involved engaging with A-Level students, parents and teachers about the work we do at the ARI and also, the role of the NSO. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Open Day Volunteer |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Helped LJMU/NSO/Liverpool University during several of the open days for the University - involved speaking to prospective students and their parents about the courses offered by the University and the research we do at the institution. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017 |
| Description | School Visit (National Schools' Observatory) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Participated in several school visits in primary/secondary schools across Merseyside as part of the National Schools' Observatory outreach team. Acitivities included puzzles, games, talking about access to higher education, my background and how I got into STEM at University, with the goal of encouraging young people/primary students from low income backgrounds into higher education. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017 |
| Description | Work Experience Week - National Schools' Observatory |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | I volunteered with Work Experience Week Alongside the National Schools' Observatory. This involved assisting with short research projects aimed at widening access to STEM subjects for under-represented students. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |