A Consolidated Grant Proposal for Astrophysics and Solar System Research at the University of Leicester, 2013-2016
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leicester
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
We will carry out world-class research programmes in astrophysics, solar system science and space science through the exploitation of data from space missions and ground based telescopes, as well as the development of new theories and the numerical simulation of processes in these areas, together with the development of new instrumental techniques and detectors for future missions and telescopes. The research programme is based around 4 research groups, who conduct their own research projects but also have a strong ethos of collaboration on topics of mutual interest.
Our research seeks to understand basic processes that occur in our solar system, our local galaxy and in other galaxies and answer questions which are of great interest in the wider community. For example in our solar system research we wish to understand the space environments around the planets, as these vary strongly between the planets depending on their magnetisation, the nature of the atmosphere, the presence of moons, and the planetary rotation rate. We will also seek to understand how the atmospheres of the planets are influenced by external processes, particularly the expanding solar atmosphere as it moves away from the sun, also known as the solar wind. Through our work on cometary dust grains we will gain knowledge about how our solar system has formed, and through analyses of martian meteorites gain knowledge about habitability on Mars.
Our Astrophysics research is no less exciting. Here we will search for new planets orbiting nearby stars which may mimic the planets that are present in our own solar system or indeed be very different, such as hot Neptunes, or Super Earths. This study will include the investigation of these new planetary atmospheres. We will also investigate some of the processes that occur in the most extreme of environments in our Universe by undertaking high energy astrophysics research focusing on extreme phenomena ranging from Galactic black hole binaries, through to active galactic nuclei (AGN) onto gamma-ray bursts. These studies will include the feedback processes that link AGN and their host galaxy evolution. Further we will maintain and enhance a programme in stellar astronomy with emphasis on the astrophysics of dwarf stars.
We will also simulate using high performance computers these systems which in turn will provide information which can help our observations and vice versa. Through these simulations we will create theories and models of how these extreme systems behave and determine whether the Physics of these systems is different from that we understand in our own solar system. We will also use these simulations to search for the processes which create "dark matter", an unusually exotic type of matter.
Finally we will also conduct laboratory experiments where we will develop new ways in which we can observe these systems from afar by developing new instruments for the next generation of space missions. This work is essential to ensure that we can develop our understanding further. It is also the case that from these experiments come other "spin-off" activities which can lead to benefits elsewhere other than Astrophysics and Space Science.
The Department also has a thriving and active programme of engagement with the wider community, particularly school age children who are thrilled by the research that is undertaken in the Department. Finally we also propose to maintain a very strong commitment to knowledge transfer Academic beneficiaries.
Our research seeks to understand basic processes that occur in our solar system, our local galaxy and in other galaxies and answer questions which are of great interest in the wider community. For example in our solar system research we wish to understand the space environments around the planets, as these vary strongly between the planets depending on their magnetisation, the nature of the atmosphere, the presence of moons, and the planetary rotation rate. We will also seek to understand how the atmospheres of the planets are influenced by external processes, particularly the expanding solar atmosphere as it moves away from the sun, also known as the solar wind. Through our work on cometary dust grains we will gain knowledge about how our solar system has formed, and through analyses of martian meteorites gain knowledge about habitability on Mars.
Our Astrophysics research is no less exciting. Here we will search for new planets orbiting nearby stars which may mimic the planets that are present in our own solar system or indeed be very different, such as hot Neptunes, or Super Earths. This study will include the investigation of these new planetary atmospheres. We will also investigate some of the processes that occur in the most extreme of environments in our Universe by undertaking high energy astrophysics research focusing on extreme phenomena ranging from Galactic black hole binaries, through to active galactic nuclei (AGN) onto gamma-ray bursts. These studies will include the feedback processes that link AGN and their host galaxy evolution. Further we will maintain and enhance a programme in stellar astronomy with emphasis on the astrophysics of dwarf stars.
We will also simulate using high performance computers these systems which in turn will provide information which can help our observations and vice versa. Through these simulations we will create theories and models of how these extreme systems behave and determine whether the Physics of these systems is different from that we understand in our own solar system. We will also use these simulations to search for the processes which create "dark matter", an unusually exotic type of matter.
Finally we will also conduct laboratory experiments where we will develop new ways in which we can observe these systems from afar by developing new instruments for the next generation of space missions. This work is essential to ensure that we can develop our understanding further. It is also the case that from these experiments come other "spin-off" activities which can lead to benefits elsewhere other than Astrophysics and Space Science.
The Department also has a thriving and active programme of engagement with the wider community, particularly school age children who are thrilled by the research that is undertaken in the Department. Finally we also propose to maintain a very strong commitment to knowledge transfer Academic beneficiaries.
Planned Impact
The STFC-domain research groups in the Department of Physics and Astronomy cover a very diverse set of research themes and methods, which translate into a variety of committed approaches to the Impact Agenda. All four groups involved in this Consolidated Grant proposal contribute to the training of a highly-skilled workforce at PhD level. All four actively communicate the results of their research to the wider community through public talks, presentations and displays at large scale events, such as Science festivals and television events, and press releases.
Industrial collaboration is deeply embedded in the Departmental culture; the longest continuous industrial link within the present Consolidated Grant proposal (with Photonis, the microchannel plate optic manufacturer, based in Brive, France) dates back to 1969. Research crossing the Physical Sciences/Life Sciences interface has had a Departmental focus since the establishment, fifteen years ago, of the Bioimaging Unit, housed since 2003 in dedicated laboratory facilities in the Space Research Centre's Michael Atiyah Building.
While the Radio and Space Plasma Physics (working with oil exploration companies) and the Theoretical Astrophysics group (working with a computer gaming company) have supported successful knowledge exchange (KE) projects, its strong portfolio of involvements in major space missions and the underpinning laboratory investigations of sensors and optics have made the Space Science and Instrumentation (SSI) group the principal focus for KE within the University of Leicester. Leicester hosts one of the first three STFC Innovation Fellows (Maskell), who helps support a broad range of activities, including;
(i) three spin-out companies - Bioastral, Gamma Technologies and Spectral-ID -which are transferring detector technologies from space- or ground-based astronomy to, respectively, the energy-resolved detection of biological fluorescence, cancer surgery and the detection of counterfeits.
(ii) research grants from both from STFC Innovation funding streams and from non-STFC funders (regional entities, industry, EU FP7, ESA, BBSRC, MRC and AHRC and TSB) which originate from, and return support to, a core programme in space instrumentation
(iii) the business-facing unit "Space IDEAS Hub", funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), whose main goal is to bring the expertise of the Space Research Centre to the assistance of Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the English East Midlands region.
(iv) formal bilateral links with both regional (the Leicester-based specialist engineering SME Magna Parva Ltd) and national (EADS Astrium) companies in the space arena. Magna Parva, partnering with Leicester on space projects, has more than doubled in size in the past five years.
Based on this strong track record in Knowledge Exchange, and a substantial infrastructure for the exploitation of its basic research, the Department is fully engaged with the UK national agenda through its membership, since December 2011, of the Harwell International Space Innovation Centre (ISIC). We are part of the academic community participating in the formative discussions regarding the future shape of the industry-led TSB Space Applications "Catapult", announced by the Minister for Science and Innovation in early January 2012. Further afield, the Department provides the Co-Chair (Ambrosi) for the Technology Working Group of the EU-wide NEREUS organisation of Regions with interests in space data and technologies. We propose to continue this development over the period of our Consolidated Grant. Our track record indicates that we will successfully develop further our links with Industry to ensure continued exchange of knowledge.
Industrial collaboration is deeply embedded in the Departmental culture; the longest continuous industrial link within the present Consolidated Grant proposal (with Photonis, the microchannel plate optic manufacturer, based in Brive, France) dates back to 1969. Research crossing the Physical Sciences/Life Sciences interface has had a Departmental focus since the establishment, fifteen years ago, of the Bioimaging Unit, housed since 2003 in dedicated laboratory facilities in the Space Research Centre's Michael Atiyah Building.
While the Radio and Space Plasma Physics (working with oil exploration companies) and the Theoretical Astrophysics group (working with a computer gaming company) have supported successful knowledge exchange (KE) projects, its strong portfolio of involvements in major space missions and the underpinning laboratory investigations of sensors and optics have made the Space Science and Instrumentation (SSI) group the principal focus for KE within the University of Leicester. Leicester hosts one of the first three STFC Innovation Fellows (Maskell), who helps support a broad range of activities, including;
(i) three spin-out companies - Bioastral, Gamma Technologies and Spectral-ID -which are transferring detector technologies from space- or ground-based astronomy to, respectively, the energy-resolved detection of biological fluorescence, cancer surgery and the detection of counterfeits.
(ii) research grants from both from STFC Innovation funding streams and from non-STFC funders (regional entities, industry, EU FP7, ESA, BBSRC, MRC and AHRC and TSB) which originate from, and return support to, a core programme in space instrumentation
(iii) the business-facing unit "Space IDEAS Hub", funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), whose main goal is to bring the expertise of the Space Research Centre to the assistance of Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the English East Midlands region.
(iv) formal bilateral links with both regional (the Leicester-based specialist engineering SME Magna Parva Ltd) and national (EADS Astrium) companies in the space arena. Magna Parva, partnering with Leicester on space projects, has more than doubled in size in the past five years.
Based on this strong track record in Knowledge Exchange, and a substantial infrastructure for the exploitation of its basic research, the Department is fully engaged with the UK national agenda through its membership, since December 2011, of the Harwell International Space Innovation Centre (ISIC). We are part of the academic community participating in the formative discussions regarding the future shape of the industry-led TSB Space Applications "Catapult", announced by the Minister for Science and Innovation in early January 2012. Further afield, the Department provides the Co-Chair (Ambrosi) for the Technology Working Group of the EU-wide NEREUS organisation of Regions with interests in space data and technologies. We propose to continue this development over the period of our Consolidated Grant. Our track record indicates that we will successfully develop further our links with Industry to ensure continued exchange of knowledge.
Organisations
- University of Leicester (Lead Research Organisation)
- University of Arizona (Collaboration)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) (Collaboration)
- University College London (Collaboration)
- University of Colorado Boulder (Collaboration)
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (Collaboration)
- University of Colorado Boulder (Collaboration)
- University of Liege (Collaboration)
- Uppsala University (Collaboration)
- The University of Texas at San Antonio (Collaboration)
- Lomonosov Moscow State University (Collaboration)
- IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON (Collaboration)
- Boston University (Collaboration)
- International Association for the Philosophy of Sport (IAPS) (Collaboration)
- Gemini Observatory (Collaboration)
- Kyunghee University (Collaboration)
- Tohoku University (Collaboration)
Publications

Acton J
(2021)
NGTS-19b: a high-mass transiting brown dwarf in a 17-d eccentric orbit
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

Alexander R
(2014)
Planet formation in evolving protoplanetary discs
in Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union

Alexander R
(2014)
Protostars and Planets VI

Alexander R
(2015)
Magnetospheres of hot Jupiters: hydrodynamic models & ultraviolet absorption

Alexander R
(2015)
Magnetospheres of hot Jupiters: hydrodynamic models and ultraviolet absorption
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

Alston W
(2013)
The flux-dependent X-ray time lags in NGC 4051
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

Anderson R
(2015)
ChemCam results from the Shaler outcrop in Gale crater, Mars
in Icarus

Andersson N
(2013)
The transient gravitational-wave sky
in Classical and Quantum Gravity

Andrews DJ
(2016)
Plasma observations during the Mars atmospheric "plume" event of March-April 2012.
in Journal of geophysical research. Space physics
Description | The work has made several new discoveries in the fields of observational astronomy, theoretical astrophysics, planetary science and solar terrestrial physics. Using a mixture of space based observations, ground based telescopes, and high performance computing, this work has identified, amongst many other things: new gamma ray bursts, the most explosive events in the universe, and used these for cosmological purposes; investigated in detail the planetary oscillations of the magnetospheric system at Saturn; made novel observations of the temperatures of the upper atmospheres, thermospheres, of the gas giant planets demonstrating they are higher than expected; the solar cycle dependence of the upper atmosphere of Mars; developed new techniques for X-ray interferometer instruments. |
Exploitation Route | Mainly the work that is being done will be sued by other scientists, although some of our work on field aligned currents at earth could be sued for space weather forecasting purposes. In addition the techniques used in our high performance computing could be put to use in other research fields. |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Education Environment |
Description | Mainly the work that has been undertaken has been linked to many different outreach activities, involving the wider public and in particular school children. A prime example of this is the Department's central involvement in the BBC's Stargazing Live 2015 event at Leicester Racecourse and the Royal Institution's Christmas lectures of 2015. Both of these events had large television audiences. |
First Year Of Impact | 2015 |
Sector | Education,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
Impact Types | Societal |
Description | Dorothy Hodgson Fellowship |
Amount | £545,715 (GBP) |
Funding ID | DHF\R1\211068 |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2022 |
End | 12/2026 |
Description | ERC Consolidator Grant |
Amount | € 1,945,721 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 681601 |
Organisation | European Research Council (ERC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | Belgium |
Start | 05/2016 |
End | 05/2021 |
Description | Exploring the Giant Planet Energy Crisis with JWST |
Amount | £476,442 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ST/W001527/1 |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2022 |
End | 03/2027 |
Description | Philip Leverhulme Prize |
Amount | £70,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | The Leverhulme Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2014 |
End | 07/2017 |
Description | Production and management of Mars Express MARSIS AIS Data |
Amount | £76,923 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ESA RFP/3-17233/21/ES/JD |
Organisation | European Space Agency |
Sector | Public |
Country | France |
Start | 11/2021 |
End | 10/2022 |
Description | STFC Consolidated Grant Round 2015 |
Amount | £1,276,291 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ST/N000757/1 |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2016 |
End | 03/2019 |
Description | STFC Consolidated Grant Round 2015 |
Amount | £2,197,105 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ST/N000749/1 |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2016 |
End | 03/2019 |
Description | Solar wind influence on terrestrial planets' upper atmospheres: unveiling their close interaction |
Amount | £526,753 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ST/V004115/1 |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2021 |
End | 09/2026 |
Description | Boston University Imaging Science Team |
Organisation | Boston University |
Department | Imaging Science |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Have provided observing experience, as well as inputs into Jupiter and Saturn aeronomy modelling |
Collaborator Contribution | Modelling of ionosphere/atmosphere of Jupiter and Saturn, as well as discussions over access to Boston University observatories. Sharing of HST images of Jupiter and Saturn in the UV |
Impact | Significant enhancement of both observing and modelling. One publication following on from the modelling of Jupiter's equatorward regions. |
Start Year | 2009 |
Description | Cassini Auroral Planning Team |
Organisation | National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) |
Department | Cassini Mission |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have been heavily involved in the planning of VIMS observations, both in providing details of the needed infrared observations from the spacecraft itself, as well as in timing the observations with ground-based support |
Collaborator Contribution | Our involvement in the planning team has directly resulting in having Cassini observations coincide with the timing of potential observations from Mauna Kea - using this, we have had great leverage in getting observing time at the NASA IRTF telescope, assisting greatly in our research. |
Impact | Outputs from this collaboration will be highly significant, once the current set of observations are complete. It will allow us to tie together ground-based and space based observations for the first time. |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | Cassini MAG data |
Organisation | Imperial College London |
Department | Department of Physics |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have used the magnetometer data in combination with both VIMS and ground-based data, in order to better understand the influences on the auroral region of Saturn |
Collaborator Contribution | Provision of calibrated Cassini magnetic field data |
Impact | We have used the magnetometer data to provide context to our observations, which have helped shape the discussions of a number of our papers. We are also more directly comparing the results of our observations with MAG in an upcoming paper, the results of which we have presented at conferences. |
Description | Cassini Magnetometer Team |
Organisation | Imperial College London |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | As Co-Investigators on the Cassini MAG instrument, the Leicester group has a deep involvement in the analysis of data from that instrument. |
Collaborator Contribution | Other members of the team contribute by running the instrument, including calibrations, as well as producing scientific research. |
Impact | A substantial number of papers have been published and these can be found under relevant sections of the research fish submission. |
Description | Cassini UVIS data |
Organisation | University of Colorado Boulder |
Department | Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have used the data in combination with the VIMS data set, the first time this has been done in detail. |
Collaborator Contribution | In providing access to UVIS data, we have begun a detailed study of the comparative morphologies of the UV and IR aurora. This has so far resulted in material for presentations at conferences and is currently being written up for publication. |
Impact | We have used the results in several presentations. In addition, the use of combined data from the Cassini mission is something that is of high priority within the Cassini community and our using these instruments is providing us with an increased profile within this international community. |
Start Year | 2009 |
Description | Cassini VIMS data and planning |
Organisation | University of Arizona |
Department | Lunar and Planetary Laboratory |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We are part of the official VIMS/MAG collaboration and are leading the analysis of the VIMS data, and have also been heavily involved in planning the VIMS observations in the Cassini Solstice extended mission |
Collaborator Contribution | In making the VIMS dataset available, we have been able to do significant research, including a Nature paper in 2008 |
Impact | Significant scientific advances, including a Nature paper, as well as access to the Auroral planning team and higher status within the infrared space mission community. |
Start Year | 2008 |
Description | Comparing the thermospheres of Eath and Jupiter |
Organisation | University of Colorado |
Department | Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research (CCAR) |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have met and discussed the implications of various energy inputs to Jupiter's ionosphere and thermosphere |
Collaborator Contribution | They have provided context to these discussions by providing details of how the Earth system reacts to auroral and non-auroral inputs |
Impact | An invited talk at Colorado, to enhance discussions |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Exploring the upper stratosphere of Saturn |
Organisation | Kyunghee University |
Country | Korea, Republic of |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have provided an analysis of VIMS observations, identifying and describing the methane fluorescence from the upper stratosphere. |
Collaborator Contribution | They have provided detailed high-resolution spectral measurement, allowing us to identify specific methane emissions within the stratosphere. The have also collaborated with proposed observations, adding significant adacemic weight to the observation request. |
Impact | Jointly, we are currently working on research that could potentially result in a number of publications, both looking at altitudinal profiles of temperature, and the neutral winds in the upper stratosphere. |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Gemini support staff: planetary observations |
Organisation | Gemini Observatory |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Authorship of H3+ publications, particularly of Uranus. |
Collaborator Contribution | As support observer on Uranus observations, Tom Geballe's expertise greatly improve the observations. Also significant input in writing papers. |
Impact | Several papers, in particular the Uranus publications. |
Description | Ground-based observations at University of Texas |
Organisation | University of Texas |
Department | Department of Astronomy |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have used observations made by this collaborator in our long term study of Uranus. |
Collaborator Contribution | We have made a significant number of observations and proposals together, allowing a combined access to observations of Saturn and in particular Uranus. |
Impact | Our paper on the long-term variability of Uranus, as well as significant observing proposals and observations. |
Description | IAPS/INAF-Rome |
Organisation | International Association for the Philosophy of Sport (IAPS) |
Country | Italy |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Provided ground-based support observations for the JIRAM team, allowing calibration of that instrument using our data as a guide |
Collaborator Contribution | Have provided significant discussions for both future planning of the observations of JIRAM, and for past observations on Cassini and Galileo |
Impact | Safeguarded our publications from being trumped by IAPS publications |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | Imperial ionospheric modelling |
Organisation | Imperial College London |
Department | Department of Physics |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have provided important input for the Saturn models developed at Imperial, providing essential information about the ionosphere in the 50-70 latitude region - away from both Cassini equatorial occultation measurements and auroral values previously published. |
Collaborator Contribution | We have worked with the ionospheric and atmospheric modelling group at Imperial on an informal basis, in order to better understand our observations in the broader context - this context has been useful for writing several papers. We are now in the process of directly collaborating on a number of projects, comparing ionospheric models with direct measurements on both a narrow and wide planetary scale. |
Impact | Our collaboration has helped in indirect ways in the past, but, partly through the ISSI Team Galand meetings, we have begun directly calibrating both our Cassini and ground-based work. We envisage this resulting in publications in the next 12-18 months. |
Description | Mars Upper Atmosphere Network |
Organisation | Uppsala University |
Department | Department of Physics and Astronomy |
Country | Sweden |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The Mars Upper Atmosphere Network (MUAN) brings together research groups fropm around teh world interested in upper atmosphere research at Mars. The group is led by Uppsala and Leicester. |
Collaborator Contribution | Other groups bring data analysis and mdoelling skills to MUAN to complement those existing at Leicester and Uppsala. |
Impact | Research Papers Campaigns with Mars Express Formation and Leadership of ISSI team |
Start Year | 2009 |
Description | Planetary Atmospheric Physics Lab, Tohoku Univeristy |
Organisation | Tohoku University |
Department | Planetary Atmospheric Physics Lab |
Country | Japan |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We are currently collaborating on observations of Jupiter's auroral region. I have successfully been awarded a number of collaborative observing proposals with Tohoku as collaborating co-i's. |
Collaborator Contribution | We have been included on a number of observing proposals made to Subaru and IRTF. We are also working with TOhoku in the upcoming EXCEED mission, which will look at the UV aurora. |
Impact | Our observation proposals have been strengthened by the collaboration, and we will have access to the EXCEED dataset. |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | Skobeltsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow |
Organisation | Moscow State University |
Department | Skobeltsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics |
Country | Russian Federation |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Contributions to the paper by Belenkaya et al., 2014. |
Collaborator Contribution | Contributions to the paper by Belenkaya et al., 2014. |
Impact | N/A |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | Space Science and Engineering Center, U. of Wisconsin-Madison |
Organisation | University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Department | Space Science and Engineering Center |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Working actively with Kevin Baines, having written a number of successful Keck proposals with him as PI, have co-observed these proposals with him. Have also started co-editing a Saturn book with him. Collaborated on VIMS observations. |
Collaborator Contribution | Strongly supported our Cassini ground-based support programme. Helped promote both our ground-based observations and VIMS work. |
Impact | Three years of successful Keck observations, ultimately leading to 1 Nature paper, 1 other publications with 2 more papers already written. VIMS association contributed to 1 more Nature paper and numerous other publications. |
Start Year | 2007 |
Description | UCL observation team |
Organisation | University College London |
Department | Department of Physics & Astronomy |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | In collaborating on both the observation, reduction, analysis and scientific output from our combined research, we have made significant advances that would not have been possible by one individual team. We have worked on the majority of the observations, from inception to completion, including reduction and have shared in the analysis of this data. |
Collaborator Contribution | Observations to major telescopes have been co-written with astronomers at UCL, providing a joint research depth that has significantly improved our observational outcomes. |
Impact | We have produce a significant amount of work using ground-based observations, some still in analysis, and have produced papers studying Saturn, Uranus and Neptune based on observations that come from this collaboration. In particular, the Uranus paper was produced using observations covering 16 years of observations, many made by the UCL team. |
Description | University of Liege UV auroral image data |
Organisation | University of Liege |
Department | Department of Astrophysics, Geophysics and Oceanography |
Country | Belgium |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Joint investigations of UV images of Saturn's auroras using HST and Cassini UVIS data |
Collaborator Contribution | Ditto |
Impact | Numerous joint publications in peer-reviewed journals |
Description | Astronomy Ireland |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I spoke to about 100 people at the Astronomy Ireland meeting in November 2013 in Trinity College Dublin. My talk was very well received and I have been invited to give another talk to this audience at a later date. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
URL | http://www.astronomy.ie/lecture201311.php |
Description | BBC Stargazing Live |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Presentations as part of the BBC Stargazing Live at the National Space Centre and at the University of Leicester, attended by approximately 50 people (2011), 50 people (2012), 300 people (2013), 100 people (2014). The presentation generated lots of questions and discussion from the audience. Local schools had an opportunity to visit the University which is good for inclusivity. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011,2012,2013,2014 |
Description | Britain in Space Day, UN World Space Week |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | This was a talk and demonstration of the Planeteralla intended to invite and broaden interest in space science in the wider community. The audience asked questions and requested further information afterwards. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | https://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/physics/outreach/planeterrella |
Description | Cafe Sci talk 2015 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Public talk on "Super-massive black holes" at Café Scientifique, Nottingham. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Cafe Scientifique |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I spoke to the Nottingham Cafe Scientifique about various aspects of the research that myself and others are doing with DiRAC. About 40 people attended. I gave a 25 minute presentation which was followed by more than an hour of questions and discussion. One audience member wrote a blog piece about my talk. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | http://nottinghamscience.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/talk-building-galaxies-in-office.html |
Description | Kilonova |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Considerable press activity Interest from Press and general public |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Nottingham Astro Soc talk |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Public lecture on "The formation of planetary systems" at Nottingham Astronomical Society. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Nottingham Public Lecture |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Public lecture at the University of Nottingham, entitled "Exoplanets: Hunting for Other Worlds". - |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Outreach about first Stardust interstellar grains analyses |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | This national outreach led to a range of media enquiries including the local media. After this interview on BBC Radio5, Local media took an interest in the research and science ocurring at the University of Leicester. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Presentations to the Mauna Kea Visitor's Center |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | During periods when observing second half nights or on acclimatisation nights at Mauna Kea, I visit the Mauna Kea Visitor's Center and give presentations on the life of an astronomer, as well as answering questions one-to-one during the star tours. Numbers vary between 20-60 a night and are generally a captive audience, since they have travelled to Mauna Kea to view the stars. Many people have not realised the importance of UK astronomy on the global scale - this is a great way to showcase our science to an audience who are actively interested in astronomy. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014 |
Description | Royal Institure Christmas Lectures |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | This was a talk and demonstration of the Planeteralla intended to invite and broaden interest in space science in the wider community. The audience asked questions and requested further information afterwards. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | https://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/physics/outreach/planeterrella |
Description | Royal Society Summer Exhibition |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Over the course of the four day, more than 600 people attended my talks. The Friday evening presentation was followed by more than an hour of audience questions. Several audience members contacted me to ask additional questions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | School Visit (Dublin) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Approximately 90 primary school students (3 classes) aged 8-12 years old attended my talks in Rathfarnham Parish National School. Following my visit, a number of students expressed interest in pursuing a career in science. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Science for Girls, lecture at University of Leicester |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | This was a talk and demonstration of the Planeteralla intended to invite and broaden interest in space science in the wider community. The audience asked questions and requested further information afterwards. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | https://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/physics/outreach/planeterrella |
Description | Sky at Night |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Appearance on BBC TV's "The Sky at Night", September 2015. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06cbmpr |
Description | Stargazing Live |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Around 2000 members of the public were invited into the Department to attend lectures and to take part in activities. None as yet |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013,2014 |
Description | Stargazing Live at Leicester Racecourse |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | This was a talk and demonstration of the Planeterella. The aim was to increase interest in space research. This was broadcast as part of a series of live BBC TV programmes covering many aspects of space research and astronomy. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | https://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/physics/outreach/planeterrella |
Description | Talk about Mars and other planetary exploration to National Space Academy |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | The National Space Academy runs space-focused A-level courses and gives teachers support for course material, in a network that is based at the National Space Centre, but runs throughout the UK. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017 |
Description | Talk and demonstration at Blaby Library in Leicester |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | This was a talk and demonstration of the Planeteralla intended to invite and broaden interest in space science in the wider community. The audience asked questions and requested further information afterwards. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | https://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/physics/outreach/planeterrella |
Description | Talk and demonstration at Oadby Library in Leicester |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | This was a demonstration of the Planeterella. It was intended to invite and broaden interest in space research in the wider community. The audience asked questions and requested further information afterwards. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | https://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/physics/outreach/planeterrella |
Description | Talk at 'The Hive' Worcester. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | This was a talk and demonstration of the Planeterella. The aim was to increase interest in space research. The audience asked questions at the end and seemed interested in discovering more related to this subject. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | https://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/physics/outreach/planeterrella |
Description | Talk at Bromsgrove Astronomical Society |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | This was a talk and demonstration of the Planeteralla intended to invite and broaden interest in space science in the wider community. The audience asked questions and requested further information afterwards. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | https://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/physics/outreach/planeterrella |
Description | Talk at Droitwich Library |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | This was a demonstration of the Planeterella. It was intended to invite and broaden interest in space research in the wider community. The audience asked questions and requested further information afterwards. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | https://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/physics/outreach/planeterrella |
Description | Talk at Rugby Astronomical Society |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | This was a talk and demonstration of the Planeterella. The aim was to increase interest in space research. The group members asked questions at the end and seemed interested in discovering more related to this subject. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | https://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/physics/outreach/planeterrella |
Description | Talk at UK Space Conference in Liverpool |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | This was a talk and demonstration of the Planeteralla intended to invite and broaden interest in space science in the wider community. The audience asked questions and requested further information afterwards. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | https://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/physics/outreach/planeterrella |
Description | UCAS recruitment day University of Leicester |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | The aim is to give prospective undergraduate students a selection of the types of subjects they will study in the University of Leicester College of Science. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017 |