Visitor Support Grant for Theoretical and Observational Astrophysics at Armagh Observatory: 2007-2010
Lead Research Organisation:
Armagh Observatory
Department Name: Astronomy
Abstract
It is of great importance for researchers at Armagh Observatory to maintain a position at the forefront of modern astronomy. Visitors are essential to our expanding programme. New ideas, new models and computer simulations, and new data analysis techniques are being developed in studies of our Sun, the Solar System, the birth of stars and the behaviour of stars. A stream of visitors generates extra vitality to the astrophysical discussions, accelerates the output and quality of publications, improves the numerical, analytical and data analysis techniques we use and increases the number of national and international collaborations.
Organisations
Publications
Aurière M
(2007)
Weak magnetic fields in Ap/Bp stars Evidence for a dipole field lower limit and a tentative interpretation of the magnetic dichotomy
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Voss R
(2009)
Using population synthesis of massive stars to study the interstellar medium near OB associations
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Pérez-Suárez D
(2008)
The structure and dynamics of a bright point as seen with Hinode, SoHO and TRACE
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Valyavin G
(2008)
The Peculiar Magnetic Field Morphology of the White Dwarf WD 1953-011: Evidence for a Large-Scale Magnetic Flux Tube?
in The Astrophysical Journal
Christou A
(2007)
The P/Halley Stream: Meteor Showers on Earth, Venus and Mars
in Earth, Moon, and Planets
Emel'yanenko V
(2007)
The fundamental role of the Oort cloud in determining the flux of comets through the planetary system
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Fossati L
(2008)
The effect of rotation on the abundances of the chemical elements of the A-type stars in the Praesepe cluster
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Fossati L
(2009)
The chemical abundance analysis of normal early A- and late B-type stars
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Bagnulo S
(2009)
Stellar Spectropolarimetry with Retarder Waveplate and Beam Splitter Devices
in Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Madjarska M
(2008)
Small-scale flows in SUMER and TRACE high-cadence co-observations
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Description | Research at Armagh Observatory has been benefitting through a strong programme of short term visits supported by a PPARC (now STFC) Visitor Grant. The research output, as measured by our journal publications, reflects the high number of quality projects being undertaken within several fields. Invitations to our many collaborators have helped us maintain our success in established areas which include solar system studies, interpretation of our Sun and other cool stars, star formation, stellar evolution, numerical astrophysics and galactic astronomy. The recruitment of additional senior staff during 2006-07 (Vink, Ramsay, Bagnulo) resulted in more efficient use of this grant, in terms of number or visits (39 vs 28 in 2004-07 as well as refereed journal publications (40 vs 23 in 2004-07; see Section 6). The recruitment of Dr Ramsay, in particular, opened the door to collaborations in Galactic Astronomy. The Obser- vatory's attractiveness to research visitors benefitted further from the residence of a Leverhume Visiting Fellow, Prof John Landstreet (U. Western Ontario, Canada), for 7 months in 2009 It is important to note that some of the publications reported in Section 6 partly resulted from visits by the same individuals during the period of the previous visitor grant which had not been published or in press by the time that the report for that grant was due. This emphasises the strategic nature of many of our collaborations, which are now bearing fruit due to continuing funding support from STFC. |
Exploitation Route | Due to the Observatory's relative geographical isolation and the multidisciplinary nature of its research, a continuing flow of visitors is an important factor in maintaining the high quality of our research output. Therefore we aim for a continuation of our visitor programme by means of a new STFC grant application. |
Sectors | Creative Economy,Other |
Description | The results of the research carried out as part of this project has enhanced the UK creative output, raised the profile of UK cutting-edge science and maximised the return of the country's investment into basic research and in particular research into astronomy and related sciences. |
First Year Of Impact | 2008 |
Sector | Creative Economy,Other |
Impact Types | Cultural,Societal |