Astrophysics Research at the University of Leicester
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leicester
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
We will deliver world-class research programmes in astrophysics 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. We will also develop new instrumental techniques and detectors for future missions and telescopes. The research programme is based mainly around two research groups, with some participation by three others. These groups 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 in our own and other galaxies, addressing questions of great interest to the wider public. We will search for new planets orbiting nearby stars which may mimic the planets that are present in our own solar system or possibly be very different, such as hot Neptunes, or Super Earths.
We will investigate some of the most extreme environments in our Universe by high energy astrophysics research focusing on extreme phenomena ranging from Galactic black hole binaries, through to active galactic nuclei and gamma-ray bursts. These studies will include the feedback processes that link black holes to the evolution of their host galaxies.
We will maintain and enhance a programme in stellar astronomy with emphasis on the astrophysics of white dwarf stars. We will be using high performance computers to simulate these systems theoretically. This in turn will help our observations and vice versa. Through these simulations we will build theories and models of how these extreme systems behave. We will use these simulations to try to understand the `dark' matter which constitutes much of the material
content of the Universe. We will use laboratory experimentation to develop new ways to observe these phenomena, building new instruments for the next generation of space missions.
This work also offers spin-off activities which often drive progress in areas far removed from astrophysics. Our department has an active programme of engagement with the wider community, particularly school age children, who are thrilled to hear about research in the Department. We will maintain a strong commitment to knowledge transfer for academic beneficiaries.
Our research seeks to understand basic processes in our own and other galaxies, addressing questions of great interest to the wider public. We will search for new planets orbiting nearby stars which may mimic the planets that are present in our own solar system or possibly be very different, such as hot Neptunes, or Super Earths.
We will investigate some of the most extreme environments in our Universe by high energy astrophysics research focusing on extreme phenomena ranging from Galactic black hole binaries, through to active galactic nuclei and gamma-ray bursts. These studies will include the feedback processes that link black holes to the evolution of their host galaxies.
We will maintain and enhance a programme in stellar astronomy with emphasis on the astrophysics of white dwarf stars. We will be using high performance computers to simulate these systems theoretically. This in turn will help our observations and vice versa. Through these simulations we will build theories and models of how these extreme systems behave. We will use these simulations to try to understand the `dark' matter which constitutes much of the material
content of the Universe. We will use laboratory experimentation to develop new ways to observe these phenomena, building new instruments for the next generation of space missions.
This work also offers spin-off activities which often drive progress in areas far removed from astrophysics. Our department has an active programme of engagement with the wider community, particularly school age children, who are thrilled to hear about research in the Department. We will maintain a strong commitment to knowledge transfer for academic beneficiaries.
Planned Impact
The applicants offer a diverse skill set that constitute a valuable resource to the private and public sectors. We have extensive experience and expertise in e.g. data analysis and handling, spacecraft and mission management, algorithm design, software engineering and high performance computing. Exploitation of this expertise is supported at all levels within the University. The Department of Physics and Astronomy is committed to
promoting and maximising the impact of our research. The College of Science and Engineering plays a leading role in the Enterprise Agenda for the University and offers dedicated enterprise officers and impact enhancing resources. Further support is provided by the University's Enterprise and Business Development Office, which works with academics and external stakeholders to create maximum impact in the local, provide national, and international community. This structure (i) delivers enterprising impact through the alignment of our research with major global and industrial challenges, (ii) identifies and addresses the opportunities to play a positive role in the economic development of our region and the UK, (iii) utilises research and related activities to develop skills and capability within a broad spectrum of the public and private sectors, (iv) provides expert advice and
guidance to industry and policy makers, (v) ensures that its intellectual property is effectively transferred and disseminated, and (vi) contributes to the wider cultural benefit of society through an enterprising and engaging outreach programme.
The long term impact strategy has four elements:
(1) to support and develop the skills and experience of the applicants;
(2) to ensure that links with public and private sector industries are developed, cultivated and maximised;
(3) to disseminate knowledge, skills and expterise to the benefit of the local, national and international business and civic communities;
(4) to sustain and develop our successful outreach programme with particular emphasis on enhancing our efforts to develop valid outcome measures.
promoting and maximising the impact of our research. The College of Science and Engineering plays a leading role in the Enterprise Agenda for the University and offers dedicated enterprise officers and impact enhancing resources. Further support is provided by the University's Enterprise and Business Development Office, which works with academics and external stakeholders to create maximum impact in the local, provide national, and international community. This structure (i) delivers enterprising impact through the alignment of our research with major global and industrial challenges, (ii) identifies and addresses the opportunities to play a positive role in the economic development of our region and the UK, (iii) utilises research and related activities to develop skills and capability within a broad spectrum of the public and private sectors, (iv) provides expert advice and
guidance to industry and policy makers, (v) ensures that its intellectual property is effectively transferred and disseminated, and (vi) contributes to the wider cultural benefit of society through an enterprising and engaging outreach programme.
The long term impact strategy has four elements:
(1) to support and develop the skills and experience of the applicants;
(2) to ensure that links with public and private sector industries are developed, cultivated and maximised;
(3) to disseminate knowledge, skills and expterise to the benefit of the local, national and international business and civic communities;
(4) to sustain and develop our successful outreach programme with particular emphasis on enhancing our efforts to develop valid outcome measures.
Publications
Gompertz B
(2018)
The Diversity of Kilonova Emission in Short Gamma-Ray Bursts
in The Astrophysical Journal
Gosset L.
(2016)
Localization algorithms for micro-channel x-ray telescope on board SVOM space mission
in Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2016: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray
Gration Amery
(2018)
Dynamical modelling of dwarf-spheroidal galaxies using Gaussian-process emulation
in arXiv e-prints
Gualandris Alessia
(2017)
Collisionless loss-cone refilling: there is no final parsec problem
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Günther M
(2018)
Unmasking the hidden NGTS-3Ab: a hot Jupiter in an unresolved binary system
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Heintz K. E.
(2017)
Steep extinction towards GRB 140506A reconciled from host galaxy observations: Evidence that steep reddening laws are local
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Heintz K. E.
(2018)
The luminous, massive and solar metallicity galaxy hosting the Swift ?-ray burst GRB 160804A at z = 0.737
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Higgins A. B.
(2019)
Detailed multi-wavelength modelling of the dark GRB 140713A and its host galaxy
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Higgins A. B.
(2019)
SPLOT: a snapshot survey for polarized light in optical transients
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Higgins A. B.
(2017)
Investigating the nature of the INTEGRAL gamma-ray bursts and sub-threshold triggers with Swift follow-up
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Higgins A. B.
(2019)
Detailed multiwavelength modelling of the dark GRB 140713A and its host galaxy
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Higgins A. B.
(2017)
Investigating the nature of the INTEGRAL gamma-ray bursts and sub-threshold triggers with Swift follow-up
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Hjorth Jens
(2017)
The Distance to NGC 4993: The Host Galaxy of the Gravitational-wave Event GW170817
in The Astrophysical Journal
Hu J
(2019)
A far-UV survey of three hot, metal-polluted white dwarf stars: WD0455-282, WD0621-376, and WD2211-495
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Hu J.
(2018)
Constraining the magnetic field on white dwarf surfaces; Zeeman effects and fine structure constant variation
in arXiv e-prints
Humphries J
(2019)
On the origin of wide-orbit ALMA planets: giant protoplanets disrupted by their cores
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Humphries R. J.
(2018)
Changes in the metallicity of gas giant planets due to pebble accretion
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Izzo L.
(2019)
Signatures of a jet cocoon in early spectra of a supernova associated with a $\gamma$-ray burst
in arXiv e-prints
Jones Christine
(2016)
Division D Commission 44: Space and High-Energy Astrophysics
in Transactions of the International Astronomical Union, Series A
Joyce S. R. G.
(2018)
Testing the white dwarf mass-radius relation and comparing optical and far-UV spectroscopic results with Gaia DR2, HST, and FUSE
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Joyce S. R. G.
(2018)
The gravitational redshift of Sirius B
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Joyce S. R. G.
(2017)
HST Spectra of White Dwarfs and the Mass-Radius Relation
in 20th European White Dwarf Workshop
Joyce Simon R. G.
(2018)
The white dwarf mass-radius relation with Gaia, Hubble and FUSE
in Astrometry and Astrophysics in the Gaia Sky
Kacharov Nikolay
(2017)
Prolate rotation and metallicity gradient in the transforming dwarf galaxy Phoenix
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Kim S.
(2017)
ALMA and GMRT Constraints on the Off-axis Gamma-Ray Burst 170817A from the Binary Neutron Star Merger GW170817
in The Astrophysical Journal
| Description | Royal Society Research Grant |
| Amount | £13,055 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | RG170230 |
| Organisation | The Royal Society |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2017 |
| End | 10/2018 |
| Description | Creativity and Curiosity - Art meets astronomy |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The project started as a discussion between artists and astronomers to stimulate new art and engage with new audiences. Events have included exhibitions of the artworks and associated discussion events across the county and abroad. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://www.creativityandcuriosity.com |
| Description | US NSF announcement of discovery of first gravitational wave source with electromagnetic counterpart - Oct 2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | US National Science Foundation press release. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://www.ligo.caltech.edu/page/press-release-gw170817 |
| Description | Various school visits, astronomical society lectures |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Many presentations, 100s of students, excellent questions and discussion. Audience figures are totals for activities during each year. Improvements in interest in applying for science degrees |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018 |