A Rolling Grant in Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leeds
Department Name: Applied Mathematics
Abstract
Many astrophysical phenomena involve the complex interaction between magnetic fields, rotation and fluid flows. We intend to undertake a systematic and integrated programme of research to investigate this complex interaction in a wide variety of astrophysical objects. We shall utilise a combination of analytical and numerical techniques (including the application of cutting edge numerical algorithms optimised for use on massively parallel machines) to gain an understanding of such phenomena. Our unifying philosophy is to investigate the underlying fundamental physical interactions in these astrophysical fluids and to use expertise gained in one area in order to make progress on different objects that have the same underlying physical structures. The physical phenomena that we address are (1) The generation of magnetic fields in the Sun, including the formation of the well-known eleven year sunspot cycle. (2) The structure of sunspots and the link with the magnetic fields in the solar corona. (3) The form of convection and the generation of magnetic fields in planets. (4) The decay of magnetic fields in neutron stars (5) The dynamics of rapidly-rotating stars.
Organisations
- University of Leeds (Lead Research Organisation)
- Lockheed Martin (United States) (Collaboration)
- University of Bayreuth (Collaboration)
- University of Chicago (Collaboration)
- University of California, Santa Cruz (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE (Collaboration)
- Monash University (Collaboration)
Publications
Wei X
(2008)
Instabilities of Shercliffe and Stewartson layers in spherical Couette flow.
in Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics
Wei X
(2010)
Magnetic spherical Couette flow in linear combinations of axial and dipolar fields
in Acta Mechanica
Webb, NJA
(2009)
Multicentre prospective randomised trial of tacrolimus, azathioprine and prednisolone with or without basiliximab: two-year follow-up data
in PEDIATRIC NEPHROLOGY
Wareing C
(2009)
Forward and inverse cascades in decaying two-dimensional electron magnetohydrodynamic turbulence
in Physics of Plasmas
Wareing C
(2009)
Hall cascades versus instabilities in neutron star magnetic fields
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
WAREING C
(2009)
Cascades in decaying three-dimensional electron magnetohydrodynamic turbulence
in Journal of Plasma Physics
Tobias, SM
(2008)
Convective dynamos with penetration, rotation, and shear
in ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL
Tobias Steven M.
(2007)
ß-plane magnetohydrodynamic turbulence in the solar tachocline
in ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL
Tobias SM
(2008)
Limited role of spectra in dynamo theory: coherent versus random dynamos.
in Physical review letters
Tobias S.M. & Weiss, N.O.
(2007)
Stellar dynamos
in in Mathematical Aspects of Natural Dynamos (eds. E. Dormy and A.M. Soward), CRC Press
| Description | Leverhulme |
| Amount | £81,915 (GBP) |
| Organisation | The Leverhulme Trust |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2008 |
| End | 09/2009 |
| Description | NERC |
| Amount | £542,607 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2011 |
| End | 04/2014 |
| Description | NERC |
| Amount | £542,607 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2011 |
| End | 03/2014 |
| Description | STFC |
| Amount | £662,140 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2010 |
| End | 04/2013 |
| Description | Bayreuth |
| Organisation | University of Bayreuth |
| Department | Department of Physics |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Joint papers on the dynamics of sunspots (co-author Busse) |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding of PDRA beyond the grant, to continue research on sunspots |
| Impact | Joint papers on the dynamics of sunspots (co-author Busse) |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | Cambridge |
| Organisation | University of Cambridge |
| Department | Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Joint research projects |
| Collaborator Contribution | Many joint papers (co-author Proctor) on astrophysical fluid dynamics/MHD. |
| Impact | Many joint papers on astrophysical fluid dynamics/MHD (co-authors Proctor or Weiss) |
| Description | Cambridge |
| Organisation | University of Cambridge |
| Department | Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Collaborative research projects. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative research projects. |
| Impact | Several joint papers. |
| Description | Chicago |
| Organisation | University of Chicago |
| Department | Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Collaborative research project. Shared computer resources. |
| Collaborator Contribution | As above. |
| Impact | Several journal papers. |
| Description | Chicago |
| Organisation | University of Chicago |
| Department | Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Contributors to joint research papers. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Many joint papers on astrophysical fluid dynamics and MHD (co-authors Cattaneo or Mason). |
| Impact | Many joint papers on astrophysical fluid dynamics/MHD |
| Description | Lockheed |
| Organisation | Lockheed Martin |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Collaborative research on sunspots |
| Collaborator Contribution | Joint papers on the dynamics of sunspots (co-author Hurlburt) |
| Impact | Joint research papers on sunspots (co-author Hurlburt) |
| Description | Monash |
| Organisation | Monash University |
| Department | School of Mathematical Sciences |
| Country | Australia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Joint research projects in solar physics |
| Collaborator Contribution | Joint papers on solar physics (co-author Cally) |
| Impact | Joint research papers in solar physics (co-author Cally) |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | Santa Cruz |
| Organisation | University of California, Santa Cruz |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Joint research projects in astrophysical fluid dynamics |
| Collaborator Contribution | Joint research papers on various projects (co-authors Brummell, Glatzmaier) |
| Impact | Joint papers, co-authors Brummell, Glatzmaier |
| Description | UC Santa Cruz |
| Organisation | University of California, Santa Cruz |
| Department | Applied Mathematics and Statistics |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Collaborative astrophysical research. |
| Collaborator Contribution | As above. |
| Impact | Journal papers and postdoc exchanges. |
| Description | Doncaster Astronomy Society |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Two members of the group have given talks to a local astronomical society. Very lively discussions with a very well-informed audience. The society contacted us to say how much the members enjoyed the lectures. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2007,2008 |
| Description | Radio |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Interview with Radio Berlin, to explain one of the fluid dynamics experiments conducted in space and, more generally, wider topics in astrophysical fluid dynamics. . |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009 |
| Description | School Visits |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Members of the group have given many talks to schools, all over the UK - e.g. in Manchester, Poole, London, and many in Yorkshire. These can range from students just beginning secondary school (aged 11) through to sixth from students. These always go down well and provoke a lot of questions. Schools often comment that the students find such talks very enjoyable --and provide the students with some idea of what scientific research entails. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2006,2007,2008,2009,2010 |
| Description | Schools |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Both investigators give talks to secondary schools across the country, ranging from year 7 students through to sixth-formers. These always are well-received, and provide a way of informing students about the beauties of science beyond what they learn at school and also some taste of post-school science. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010,2011 |