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
Schwope A
(2011)
Dissecting the donor star in the eclipsing polar HU Aquarii
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Fontaine G
(2011)
DISCOVERY OF A NEW AM CVn SYSTEM WITH THE KEPLER SATELLITE
in The Astrophysical Journal
Vandenbroucke J
(2010)
DISCOVERY OF A GeV BLAZAR SHINING THROUGH THE GALACTIC PLANE
in The Astrophysical Journal
Matranga M
(2012)
DETECTION OF ACCRETION X-RAYS FROM QS Vir: CATACLYSMIC OR A LOT OF HOT AIR?
in The Astrophysical Journal
Marsh T
(2011)
DETECTION OF A WHITE DWARF COMPANION TO THE WHITE DWARF SDSSJ125733.63+542850.5
in The Astrophysical Journal
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
Ratti E
(2013)
CXOGBS J174444.7-260330: a new long orbital period cataclysmic variable in a low state?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Breedt E
(2012)
CSS100603:112253-111037: a helium-rich dwarf nova with a 65 min orbital period A 65-min helium-rich dwarf nova
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jonker P
(2013)
Chandra X-ray and Gemini near-infrared observations of the eclipsing millisecond pulsar SWIFT J1749.4-2807 in quiescence
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Horne K
(2012)
Astrotomography
in Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union
RodrÃguez-Gil P
(2009)
An evolved donor star in the long-period cataclysmic variable HS 0218+3229
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Bulgarelli A
(2012)
AGILE detection of Cygnus X-3 ? -ray active states during the period mid-2009/mid-2010
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Rea N
(2007)
Accurate X-ray position and multiwavelength observations of the isolated neutron star RBS 1774
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Cornelisse R
(2007)
A signature of the donor star in the extra-galactic X-ray binary LMC X-2
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Carter P
(2013)
A search for the hidden population of AM CVn binaries in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Cackett E
(2009)
A SEARCH FOR IRON EMISSION LINES IN THE CHANDRA X-RAY SPECTRA OF NEUTRON STAR LOW-MASS X-RAY BINARIES
in The Astrophysical Journal
Savoury C
(2012)
A radial velocity study of CTCV J1300-3052 CTCV J1300-3052
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Wesson R
(2008)
A Planetary Nebula around Nova V458 Vulpeculae Undergoing Flash Ionization
in The Astrophysical Journal
Orosz J
(2009)
A NEW DYNAMICAL MODEL FOR THE BLACK HOLE BINARY LMC X-1
in The Astrophysical Journal
Copperwheat C
(2012)
A J-band detection of the donor star in the dwarf nova OY Carinae and an optical detection of its 'iron curtain' J-band detection of the donor star in OY Car
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Verbeek K
(2012)
A first catalogue of automatically selected ultraviolet-excess sources from the UVEX survey A first catalogue of UVEX UV-excess sources
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Verbeek K
(2013)
A determination of the space density and birth rate of hydrogen-line (DA) white dwarfs in the Galactic plane, based on the UVEX survey
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Cornelisse R
(2007)
A detection of the donor star of Aquila X-1 during its 2004 outburst?? A detection of the donor star of Aql X-1?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Rau A
(2010)
A CENSUS OF AM CVn STARS: THREE NEW CANDIDATES AND ONE CONFIRMED 48.3-MINUTE BINARY
in The Astrophysical Journal
Cornelisse R
(2013)
A 2 h periodic variation in the low-mass X-ray binary Ser X-1
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 |