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
RAMSAY, G And BROCKSOPP, C And GROOT, PJ And HAKALA, P And LEHTO, H And MARSH, TR And NAPIWOTZKI, R And NELEMANS, G And POTTER, S And SLEE, B And STEEGHS, D And WU, K
Recent observational progress in AM CVn binaries
Ratti E
(2012)
Optical spectroscopy of the quiescent counterpart to EXO 0748-676: a black widow scenario? Optical spectroscopy of EXO 0748-676
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
Ratti E
(2012)
The black hole candidate XTE J1752-223 towards and in quiescence: optical and simultaneous X-ray-radio observations XTE J1752-223: outburst decay and quiescence
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
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
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
RodrÃguez-Gil P
(2010)
The orbital period of V458 Vulpeculae, a post-double common-envelope nova The 98.10-min orbital period of nova V458 Vul
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
RodrÃguez-Gil P
(2009)
An evolved donor star in the long-period cataclysmic variable HS 0218+3229
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Roelofs G
(2009)
SDSS J080449.49+161624.8: a peculiar AM CVn star from a colour-selected sample of candidates
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 |