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
Watson C
(2007)
Imaging the cool stars in the interacting binaries AE Aqr, BV Cen and V426 Oph
in Astronomische Nachrichten
Wesson R
(2008)
A Planetary Nebula around Nova V458 Vulpeculae Undergoing Flash Ionization
in The Astrophysical Journal
Witham A
(2008)
The IPHAS catalogue of Ha emission-line sources in the northern Galactic plane
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Witham A
(2007)
Newly discovered cataclysmic variables from the INT/WFC photometric Ha survey of the northern Galactic plane Newly discovered CVs from IPHAS
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Woudt P
(2009)
THE EXPANDING BIPOLAR SHELL OF THE HELIUM NOVA V445 PUPPIS
in The Astrophysical Journal
Wright N
(2008)
Extremely red stellar objects revealed by IPHAS
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Zurita C
(2008)
Swift J1753.5-0127: The Black Hole Candidate with the Shortest Orbital Period
in The Astrophysical Journal
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 |