Computing and Short-term Visitor Support for the Astronomy & Astrochemistry Group at The University of Nottingham

The aim of the grant is to support and enhance the observational and laboratory-based research programme of the Astronomy and Astrochemistry Group at The University of Nottingham through replacement and enhancement of the computer hardware resources of the Group, and a continuation of our current PPARC Visitors Grant. The research programme of the Group focusses on observational spectroscopic studies of the role of molecules and dust chemistry in astrophysical processes in stellar, circumstellar and nebular media, coupled with laboratory astrophysics of interstellar dust reactions and processes of particular importance in star-forming regions. The continued success of the research depends strongly on a sound level of computer support for data reduction, analysis and modelling, and maintaining and extending our collaborations with both UK-based and international researchers through short-term visits to Nottingham.