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
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
Seymour N
(2010)
The comoving infrared luminosity density: domination of cold galaxies across 0 < z < 1
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Dunn R
(2010)
A global spectral study of black hole X-ray binaries
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Casella P
(2010)
Fast infrared variability from a relativistic jet in GX 339-4
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Bird A
(2010)
THE FOURTH IBIS/ISGRI SOFT GAMMA-RAY SURVEY CATALOG
in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
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
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
Hoard D
(2010)
SIMULTANEOUS X-RAY AND ULTRAVIOLET OBSERVATIONS OF THE SW SEXTANTIS STAR DW URSAE MAJORIS
in The Astronomical Journal
Fender R
(2010)
The Jet Paradigm - From Microquasars to Quasars
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
Soleri P
(2010)
Investigating the disc-jet coupling in accreting compact objects using the black hole candidate Swift J1753.5-0127 Disc-jet coupling in black hole candidates
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Marshall H
(2010)
A FLARE IN THE JET OF PICTOR A
in The Astrophysical Journal
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
Arnaud M
(2010)
The universal galaxy cluster pressure profile from a representative sample of nearby systems (REXCESS) and the Y SZ - M 500 relation
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Liu Y
(2010)
SUZAKU MONITORING OF THE IRON K EMISSION LINE IN THE TYPE 1 ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEUS NGC 5548
in The Astrophysical Journal
Böhringer H
(2010)
Substructure of the galaxy clusters in the REXCESS sample: observed statistics and comparison to numerical simulations
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
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
Scaringi S
(2010)
Hard X-ray properties of magnetic cataclysmic variables
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
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
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
Fiocchi M
(2010)
IGR J16328-4726: A NEW CANDIDATE SUPERGIANT FAST X-RAY TRANSIENT
in The Astrophysical Journal
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
Jorstad S
(2010)
FLARING BEHAVIOR OF THE QUASAR 3C 454.3 ACROSS THE ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM
in The Astrophysical Journal
Aharonian F
(2010)
Erratum to "Observations of the Sagittarius dwarf galaxy by the HESS experiment and search for a dark matter signal" [Astropart. Phys. 29(1) (2008) 55-62]
in Astroparticle Physics
Fermi-LAT Collaboration
(2010)
A change in the optical polarization associated with a gamma-ray flare in the blazar 3C 279.
in Nature
Vercellone S
(2011)
THE BRIGHTEST GAMMA-RAY FLARING BLAZAR IN THE SKY: AGILE AND MULTI-WAVELENGTH OBSERVATIONS OF 3C 454.3 DURING 2010 NOVEMBER
in The Astrophysical Journal
Servillat M
(2011)
A DWARF NOVA IN THE GLOBULAR CLUSTER M13
in The Astrophysical Journal
Shih I
(2011)
Correlated optical/X-ray long-term variability in LMXB 4U 1636-536 Long term variability in LMXB 4U 1636-536
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Mingo B
(2011)
MARKARIAN 6: SHOCKING THE ENVIRONMENT OF AN INTERMEDIATE SEYFERT
in The Astrophysical Journal
Bell M
(2011)
X-ray and radio variability in the low-luminosity active galactic nucleus NGC 7213 NGC 7213: X-ray and radio variability
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Rajoelimanana A
(2011)
Very long-term optical variability of high-mass X-ray binaries in the Small Magellanic Cloud Very long optical variability in BeX sources
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Hakala P
(2011)
Fast optical and X-ray variability in the UCXB 4U0614+09? Variability in the UCXB 4U0614+09
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Soleri P
(2011)
On the nature of the 'radio-quiet' black hole binaries Radio-quiet black hole binaries
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Bell M
(2011)
An automated archival Very Large Array transients survey An automated archival VLA transients survey
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Aharonian F
(2011)
Primary particle acceleration above 100 TeV in the shell-type supernova remnant RX J1713.7 - 3946 with deep H.E.S.S. observations ( Corrigendum )
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Townsend L
(2011)
On the orbital parameters of Be/X-ray binaries in the Small Magellanic Cloud Orbital parameters of BeXRBs in the SMC
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Novara G
(2011)
Highly absorbed X-ray binaries in the Small Magellanic Cloud
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Actis M
(2011)
Design concepts for the Cherenkov Telescope Array CTA: an advanced facility for ground-based high-energy gamma-ray astronomy
in Experimental Astronomy
Stappers B
(2011)
Observing pulsars and fast transients with LOFAR
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Capitanio F
(2011)
FINDING PERSISTENT SOURCES WITH THE BeppoSAX /WIDE FIELD CAMERA: AN IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS
in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
Emmanoulopoulos D
(2011)
An XMM-Newton view of the 'bare' nucleus of Fairall 9? XMM-Newton observations of Fairall 9
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Uthas H
(2011)
The cataclysmic variable SDSS J1507+52: an eclipsing period bouncer in the Galactic halo
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Owen R
(2011)
IKT 16: a composite supernova remnant in the Small Magellanic Cloud
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Sturm R
(2011)
The XMM-Newton survey of the Small Magellanic Cloud: discovery of the 11.866 s Be/X-ray binary pulsar XMMU J004814.0-732204(SXP11.87)
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Jones S
(2011)
Radio and X-ray variability in the Seyfert galaxy NGC 4051 Radio/X-ray variability in NGC 4051
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Russell D
(2011)
TESTING THE JET QUENCHING PARADIGM WITH AN ULTRADEEP OBSERVATION OF A STEADILY SOFT STATE BLACK HOLE
in The Astrophysical Journal
Ogrean G
(2011)
Evidence for a merger-revived radio phoenix in MaxBCG J217.95869+13.53470 Evidence for a merger-revived radio phoenix
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Knigge C
(2011)
THE EVOLUTION OF CATACLYSMIC VARIABLES AS REVEALED BY THEIR DONOR STARS
in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
Russell D
(2011)
A tool to separate optical/infrared disc and jet emission in X-ray transient outbursts: the colour-magnitude diagrams of XTE J1550-564 CMDs to separate OIR disc/jet emission
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Ubertini P
(2011)
The INTEGRAL high energy sky and the MeV-GeV connection
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
| 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 |