High Energy Astrophysics at Southampton
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Southampton
Department Name: Sch of Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
On the stellar scale we are interested in the significance of different environments on the evolution of high mass X-ray binary (HMXB) populations, in particular between the Milky Way and the SMC, where differing star formation rates and metallicities could be crucial. What are the relative importances of local and interstellar obscuration in what we see? Here the upcoming 2Msec INTEGRAL Key Programme observation of the SMC, almost unaffected by obscuration, will be of great value. Globular clusters are outstanding laboratories for studying stellar dynamics and stellar evolution, especially for understanding the most exotic stellar populations. We are drawing together observations of large samples of globular clusters to understand which cluster properties are most important for the production of these exotic stars, and comparing with low stellar density dwarf spheroidal galaxies to isolate the stellar evolution from stellar dynamics. The Netherlands-based low frequency radio array, LOFAR, is about to open a new window on the universe providing the first radio `all sky monitor'. We will study coherent radio bursts, perhaps associated with merging neutron stars, detectable at enormous distances (to z=7), providing a unique probe of the intergalactic medium and possibly even testing theories of gravity and cosmological distance scales via identification of LIGO inspiral events We will continue our research into the coupling between accretion and outflow (jets) in X-ray binaries, and how it relates to parallel processes in AGN (where scaling laws with black hole mass are established), accreting neutron stars and white dwarfs. We have amassed the first comprehensive database of black hole spectral states and will extend this analysis to include X-ray timing and radio results. Thus we will produce the most comprehensive analysis to date of the relation between black hole accretion flows and the formation and power of relativistic jets. The results can be applied to AGN feedback in galaxies and clusters. We will greatly improve our knowledge of the scaling relationship between characteristic X-ray timescale, mass and accretion rate in Seyfert galaxies and Galactic binaries, thus testing physical models for this important universal relationship. We will determine whether the relationship applies in jet dominated ``blazars'', implying a universal origin for variability. We are building a model, based on propagating fluctuations, to provide physical understanding of all spectral-timing relationships to derive physical parameters, eg disc emissivity profile. This model, with additional X-ray reprocessing, should also explain X-ray/optical correlations in AGN so we will test it against our X-ray/optical monitoring. To provide a census of the nearby universe on which models of the more distant universe can be built, we are heavily involved in eMERLIN legacy surveys of nearby galaxy samples It is now widely accepted that some process must reheat the gas in galaxy clusters or large amounts of cool gas, which are not seen, would be found in the cores of clusters of galaxies. But what is the heating mechanism? In our most theoretical project we will investigate, via MHD simulations, whether the dissipation of turbulent energy, driven by merger events, galaxy motions and AGN outflows, may be responsible. On the largest scales, both AGN and starforming galaxies (SFGs) contribute to the faint radio source population, but what is the mix? By combining radio morphology with a variety of spectral energy diagnostics we can distinguish AGN from SFGs. Hence, using radio luminosity as a starformation rate (SFR) indicator, we can determine the evolution of the cosmic SFR in an absorption-independent manner. We will push this technique to much higher redshifts, as major contributors to eMERLIN deep field legacy surveys, and also probe the relationship between SFGs and AGN.
Organisations
Publications
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Scott T
(2010)
Probing evolutionary mechanisms in galaxy clusters: neutral atomic hydrogen in Abell 1367
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
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Kharb P
(2010)
PARSEC-SCALE IMAGING OF THE RADIO-BUBBLE SEYFERT GALAXY NGC 6764
in The Astrophysical Journal
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Sale S
(2010)
The structure of the outer Galactic disc as revealed by IPHAS early A stars
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
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Jonker P
(2010)
Following the 2008 outburst decay of the black hole candidate H 1743-322â??in X-ray and radio
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
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Fiocchi M
(2010)
IGR J16328-4726: A NEW CANDIDATE SUPERGIANT FAST X-RAY TRANSIENT
in The Astrophysical Journal
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Marscher A
(2010)
PROBING THE INNER JET OF THE QUASAR PKS 1510-089 WITH MULTI-WAVEBAND MONITORING DURING STRONG GAMMA-RAY ACTIVITY
in The Astrophysical Journal
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Dieball A
(2010)
ERRATUM: "UNVEILING THE CORE OF THE GLOBULAR CLUSTER M 15 IN THE ULTRAVIOLET" (2007, ApJ, 670, 379)
in The Astrophysical Journal
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Tudose V
(2010)
Probing the behaviour of the X-ray binary Cygnus X-3 with very long baseline radio interferometry
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
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Shahbaz T
(2010)
Observations of the quiescent X-ray transients GRS 1124-684 (=GU Mus) and Cen X-4 (=V822 Cen) taken with ULTRACAM on the VLT
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
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Scaringi S
(2010)
Hard X-ray properties of magnetic cataclysmic variables
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
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Masetti N
(2010)
The peculiar high-mass X-ray binary 1ES 1210-646
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
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Heinke C
(2010)
DISCOVERY OF A SECOND TRANSIENT LOW-MASS X-RAY BINARY IN THE GLOBULAR CLUSTER NGC 6440
in The Astrophysical Journal
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Coe M
(2010)
INTEGRAL deep observations of the Small Magellanic Cloud INTEGRAL-SMC
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
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Landi R
(2010)
Swift/XRT observations of unidentified INTEGRAL/IBIS sources Swift/XRT observations of unidentified INTEGRAL/IBIS sources
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
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Emmanoulopoulos D
(2010)
On the use of structure functions to study blazar variability: caveats and problems Structure function: caveats and problems
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
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Hardcastle M
(2010)
Searching for the inverse-Compton emission from bright cluster-centre radio galaxies
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
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Yang J
(2010)
A decelerating jet observed by the EVN and VLBA in the X-ray transient XTE J1752-223
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
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Liu Y
(2010)
SUZAKU MONITORING OF THE IRON K EMISSION LINE IN THE TYPE 1 ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEUS NGC 5548
in The Astrophysical Journal
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Masetti N
(2010)
Unveiling the nature of INTEGRAL objects through optical spectroscopy VIII. Identification of 44 newly detected hard X-ray sources
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
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Dunn R
(2010)
A global spectral study of black hole X-ray binaries
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
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Jorstad S
(2010)
FLARING BEHAVIOR OF THE QUASAR 3C 454.3 ACROSS THE ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM
in The Astrophysical Journal
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Krongold Y
(2010)
SUZAKU MONITORING OF THE SEYFERT 1 GALAXY NGC 5548: WARM ABSORBER LOCATION AND ITS IMPLICATION FOR COSMIC FEEDBACK
in The Astrophysical Journal
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Donahue M
(2010)
STAR FORMATION AND UV COLORS OF THE BRIGHTEST CLUSTER GALAXIES IN THE REPRESENTATIVE XMM-NEWTON CLUSTER STRUCTURE SURVEY
in The Astrophysical Journal
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Russell D
(2010)
A long-term optical-X-ray correlation in 4U 1957+11
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
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Fermi-LAT Collaboration
(2010)
A change in the optical polarization associated with a gamma-ray flare in the blazar 3C 279.
in Nature
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Clark D
(2010)
The orbital period in the supergiant fast X-ray transient IGR J16465-4507
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
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Migliari S
(2010)
THE COMPLETE SPECTRUM OF THE NEUTRON STAR X-RAY BINARY 4U 0614+091
in The Astrophysical Journal
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Townsend L
(2010)
The orbital solution and spectral classification of the high-mass X-ray binary IGR J01054-7253 in the Small Magellanic Cloud Orbital solution to the HMXB IGR J01054-7253
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
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Scaringi S
(2010)
A new determination of the INTEGRAL /IBIS point source location accuracy
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
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Marshall H
(2010)
A FLARE IN THE JET OF PICTOR A
in The Astrophysical Journal
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Coe M
(2010)
Exploring accretion theory with X-ray binaries in the Small Magellanic Cloud
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
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Scaringi S
(2010)
Hard X-ray properties of magnetic cataclysmic variables
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Vandenbroucke J
(2010)
DISCOVERY OF A GeV BLAZAR SHINING THROUGH THE GALACTIC PLANE
in The Astrophysical Journal
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Peacock M
(2010)
The M31 globular cluster system: ugriz and K -band photometry and structural parameters
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
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Foster D
(2010)
INTERPRETATION OF THE 115 DAY PERIODIC MODULATION IN THE X-RAY FLUX OF NGC 5408 X-1
in The Astrophysical Journal
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McHardy I
(2010)
The Jet Paradigm - From Microquasars to Quasars
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Lal D
(2010)
A CHANDRA OBSERVATION OF 3C 288-REHEATING THE COOL CORE OF A 3 keV CLUSTER FROM A NUCLEAR OUTBURST at z = 0.246
in The Astrophysical Journal
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Haarsma D
(2010)
BRIGHTEST CLUSTER GALAXIES AND CORE GAS DENSITY IN REXCESS CLUSTERS
in The Astrophysical Journal
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Noebauer U
(2010)
THE GEOMETRY AND IONIZATION STRUCTURE OF THE WIND IN THE ECLIPSING NOVA-LIKE VARIABLES RW TRI AND UX UMa
in The Astrophysical Journal
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Goodger J
(2010)
LONG-TERM MONITORING OF THE DYNAMICS AND PARTICLE ACCELERATION OF KNOTS IN THE JET OF CENTAURUS A
in The Astrophysical Journal
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Casella P
(2010)
Fast infrared variability from a relativistic jet in GX 339-4
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
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Rushton A
(2010)
Steady jets from radiatively efficient hard states in GRS 1915+105
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
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Pratt G
(2010)
Gas entropy in a representative sample of nearby X-ray galaxy clusters (REXCESS): relationship to gas mass fraction
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
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Seymour N
(2010)
The comoving infrared luminosity density: domination of cold galaxies across 0 < z < 1
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
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Uthas H
(2010)
The orbital period and system parameters of the recurrent nova T Pyx The orbital period of T Pyx
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
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Maccarone T
(2010)
Large amplitude variability from the persistent ultracompact X-ray binary in NGC 1851 Strong X-ray variability in NGC 1851
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
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Fender R
(2010)
No evidence for black hole spin powering of jets in X-ray binaries Black hole binary jets
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
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Cottis C
(2010)
Searching for the signature of radiative line driving: on the absence of Lya-N v line-locking features in a large sample of BALQSOs Radiative line driving in BALQSOs
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
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Abdo A
(2010)
FERMI LARGE AREA TELESCOPE AND MULTI-WAVELENGTH OBSERVATIONS OF THE FLARING ACTIVITY OF PKS 1510-089 BETWEEN 2008 SEPTEMBER AND 2009 JUNE
in The Astrophysical Journal
Description | Many details regarding the accretion of material onto compact objects such as black holes, and the resulting emission, particularly with regard to the variability properties and to jets |
Exploitation Route | We work on some of the major questions in high energy astrophysics and our work on timing properties and scaling relationships between different mass and accretion rates will certainly form the basis of future examinations of scaling relationships, ie are black holes the same, apart from scale? |
Sectors | Creative Economy Education |
Description | Other researchers have applied the techniques developed during the course of this grant to different types of astrophysical objects. We have also used them in the context of undergraduate projects on the time series analysis of stock market data, resulting the in the said undergraduates getting better paid jobs than their lecturers. |
First Year Of Impact | 2010 |
Sector | Creative Economy,Education,Financial Services, and Management Consultancy |
Impact Types | Cultural |