The astrophysics of accretion in compact binaries
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Warwick
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
Unlike our Sun, the majority of stars find themselves in gravitationally bound pairs known as binary stars. The interaction between the two stars often leads to the formation of a compact pair with the lower mass donor star losing mass onto the more massive primary. Such interactions can produce very energetic objects as the potential energy that is released is converted into radiation and heat. The most extreme examples contain a very small but massive remnant of a star, which can be either a white dwarf for a star the mass of our Sun, or a neutron star or black hole for more massive stars. These two stars can orbit around each other in as little as a few minutes. I propose to employ novel imaging techniques, which are very similar to the CAT scanning methods used in hospitals, in order to study this interaction using the latest telescopes and instruments. This allows us to reconstruct images and even movies that show this interaction in detail despite the fact that such double stars are not resolved in even our biggest telescopes. I will use these reconstructed images of binaries to study the wide variety of physical processes that occur in these systems. These include turbulence, tidal interactions, outflows and jets, relativistic physics near black holes and the structure of matter under extreme conditions. My work relies on exploiting the latest suite of ground-based telescopes in conjunction with space-based observations at wavelengths that are not accessible from earth. In order to determine how binaries affect the populations of stars in galaxies such as our Milky Way, I also intend to search for many new systems using wide-field digital cameras attached to large telescopes. This combination will allow me to test our current ideas concerning the formation, structure and time evolution of a wide range of binary systems.
Publications
Bloemen S
(2010)
Spin-resolved spectroscopy of the intermediate polar DQ Her
Van Spaandonk L
(2010)
THE MASS OF THE WHITE DWARF IN GW LIBRA
in The Astrophysical Journal
Van Spaandonk L
(2010)
Time-resolved spectroscopy of the pulsating CV GW Lib
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Girven J
(2010)
PG 1258+593 and its common proper motion magnetic white dwarf counterpart
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Gänsicke BT
(2010)
Two white dwarfs with oxygen-rich atmospheres.
in Science (New York, N.Y.)
RodrĂguez-Gil P
(2010)
The orbital period of V458 Vulpeculae, a post-double common-envelope nova
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Bloemen S.
(2010)
High speed spectroscopy of intermediate polars
in Proceedings of Science
Rau A
(2010)
A CENSUS OF AM CVn STARS: THREE NEW CANDIDATES AND ONE CONFIRMED 48.3-MINUTE BINARY
in The Astrophysical Journal
Bloemen S
(2010)
Kepler observations of the beaming binary KPD 1946+4340 Kepler observations of KPD 1946+4340
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Luna G
(2010)
PHOTOIONIZED FEATURES IN THE X-RAY SPECTRUM OF EX HYDRAE
in The Astrophysical Journal
Southworth J
(2010)
Orbital periods of cataclysmic variables identified by the SDSS VIII. A slingshot prominence in SDSS J003941.06 + 005427.5??
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Jonker P
(2010)
Following the 2008 outburst decay of the black hole candidate H 1743-322â??in X-ray and radio
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Bloemen S
(2010)
Kepler observations of the beaming binary KPD 1946+4340
Uthas H
(2010)
The orbital period and system parameters of the recurrent nova T Pyx The orbital period of T Pyx
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Roelofs G
(2010)
SPECTROSCOPIC EVIDENCE FOR A 5.4 MINUTE ORBITAL PERIOD IN HM CANCRI
in The Astrophysical Journal
Vandenbroucke J
(2010)
DISCOVERY OF A GeV BLAZAR SHINING THROUGH THE GALACTIC PLANE
in The Astrophysical Journal
Jonker P
(2011)
THE GALACTIC BULGE SURVEY: OUTLINE AND X-RAY OBSERVATIONS
in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
Girven J
(2011)
DA white dwarfs in Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 7 and a search for infrared excess emission DA white dwarfs in SDSS DR7 and UKIDSS DR8
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Reis R
(2011)
Multistate observations of the Galactic black hole XTE J1752-223: evidence for an intermediate black hole spin Spin from reflection features: XTE J1752-223
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Marsh T
(2011)
DETECTION OF A WHITE DWARF COMPANION TO THE WHITE DWARF SDSSJ125733.63+542850.5
in The Astrophysical Journal
Schwope A
(2011)
Dissecting the donor star in the eclipsing polar HU Aquarii
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Anderson G
(2011)
IDENTIFICATION OF A POPULATION OF X-RAY-EMITTING MASSIVE STARS IN THE GALACTIC PLANE
in The Astrophysical Journal
Copperwheat C
(2011)
The photometric period in ES Ceti The photometric period in ES Ceti
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Durant M
(2011)
High time resolution optical/X-ray cross-correlations for X-ray binaries: anticorrelations and rapid variability X-ray binaries: optical/X-ray cross-correlations
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Copperwheat C
(2011)
SDSS J0926+3624: the shortest period eclipsing binary star The shortest period eclipsing binary star
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
| Description | Advanced our understanding of binary stellar systems and the physics of accretion. |
| Exploitation Route | Sharing of data and techniques |
| Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Education |
| Description | Used by peers in scientific community |
| Sector | Education |
| Description | Royal Society MP Pairing Scheme |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| Description | Long-term link with Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics |
| Organisation | Harvard University |
| Department | Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Long-term research collaboration with High-Energy astrophysics Dividion |
| Collaborator Contribution | Offer expertise as well as access to facilities |
| Impact | N/A |
| Description | Media work |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Several press releases, interviews and quotes in large popular science media. Strong evidence for reaching broad audience, work cited on blogs and news sites. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009,2010,2011 |