Astronomy Observation and Theory Consolidated Grant 2016-2019
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Institute of Astronomy
Abstract
This proposal is for a single Consolidated Grant to support the majority of research in Theoretical and Observational Astronomy and Astrophysics at the Institute of Astronomy (IoA) in Cambridge.
The theoretical research profile includes work to understand the origin of the Universe itself. Members of the IoA play a leading role in the European Space Agency Planck mission, and will lead a definitive determination of the parameters that both define the geometry of the Universe and quantify the age, size, dark matter, dark energy and baryonic content. The research links to one of the key goals in astrophysics: constraining the properties of the dark matter and dark energy content of the Universe.
The Universe today is filled with galaxies, of which our own Milky Way is a not atypical example. A full understanding of galaxy formation and evolution requires multiple lines of attack. Observations of the resolved stellar populations in the Milky Way and its Local Group companions provide a detailed fossil record of the dynamical assemblies of the galaxies, the formation of stars, and the buildup of heavy elements over a wide range of mass scales and initial conditions. At the other end of the scale, observations of distant galaxies spanning lookback times of up to 12 Gyr provide direct measurements of the evolution of galaxy populations and the buildup of stars and metals with cosmic time. Finally, measurements of the large-scale star formation and abundance properties of nearby galaxies form a vital astrophysical bridge between the studies of nearby resolved stellar populations and the distant high-redshift investigations, by allowing us to characterise the evolutionary properties of the Hubble sequence and the complex "gastrophysical" processes that regulate the accretion of gas and the formation of stars in galaxies.
It is now recognised that there is an intimate link between the evolution of galaxies and the origin and properties of super-massive black holes, which reside at the centre of the Milky Way and other galaxies. The regions close to black holes allow the exploration of physics at the extremes. The formation and properties of super-massive black holes and their relation to the galaxies in which they reside is a research theme that involves theory, X-ray astrophysics and observational programmes in the grant.
Within galaxies, the grant focuses on star formation, from the giant molecular clouds which give birth to stars, down to the more detailed investigations of the processes that lead to the formation of stars and star clusters within these molecular clouds. The investigations will combine state-of-the-art numerical simulations with analytical theories. The quest to study planetary systems around stars and their formation is another key goal. Research activity in the grant covers theoretical work that concentrates on the properties of exoplanets atmospheres, debris discs, discs of asteroids, cometary objects, and dust surrounding stars.
The theoretical research profile includes work to understand the origin of the Universe itself. Members of the IoA play a leading role in the European Space Agency Planck mission, and will lead a definitive determination of the parameters that both define the geometry of the Universe and quantify the age, size, dark matter, dark energy and baryonic content. The research links to one of the key goals in astrophysics: constraining the properties of the dark matter and dark energy content of the Universe.
The Universe today is filled with galaxies, of which our own Milky Way is a not atypical example. A full understanding of galaxy formation and evolution requires multiple lines of attack. Observations of the resolved stellar populations in the Milky Way and its Local Group companions provide a detailed fossil record of the dynamical assemblies of the galaxies, the formation of stars, and the buildup of heavy elements over a wide range of mass scales and initial conditions. At the other end of the scale, observations of distant galaxies spanning lookback times of up to 12 Gyr provide direct measurements of the evolution of galaxy populations and the buildup of stars and metals with cosmic time. Finally, measurements of the large-scale star formation and abundance properties of nearby galaxies form a vital astrophysical bridge between the studies of nearby resolved stellar populations and the distant high-redshift investigations, by allowing us to characterise the evolutionary properties of the Hubble sequence and the complex "gastrophysical" processes that regulate the accretion of gas and the formation of stars in galaxies.
It is now recognised that there is an intimate link between the evolution of galaxies and the origin and properties of super-massive black holes, which reside at the centre of the Milky Way and other galaxies. The regions close to black holes allow the exploration of physics at the extremes. The formation and properties of super-massive black holes and their relation to the galaxies in which they reside is a research theme that involves theory, X-ray astrophysics and observational programmes in the grant.
Within galaxies, the grant focuses on star formation, from the giant molecular clouds which give birth to stars, down to the more detailed investigations of the processes that lead to the formation of stars and star clusters within these molecular clouds. The investigations will combine state-of-the-art numerical simulations with analytical theories. The quest to study planetary systems around stars and their formation is another key goal. Research activity in the grant covers theoretical work that concentrates on the properties of exoplanets atmospheres, debris discs, discs of asteroids, cometary objects, and dust surrounding stars.
Planned Impact
The Institute of Astronomy ensures all students, postdocs and staff are actively involved both in delivering high value science, and also engaging and stimulating a variety of additional knowledge creation activities, focussing on public awareness, and on applications of research developments in medical, space-industry and commercial spheres.
The University of Cambridge has one of the most successful programmes for nurturing knowledge transfer and resulting economic and societal impact between University departments and industry both in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. The extraordinarily successful Cambridge Science Park is well known, with expertise and ideas from Cambridge Astrophysics being involved in the establishment of several businesses in the Cambridge area.
The IoA's approach to the search for impact opportunities is embedded in the mechanisms that the University has in place to facilitate this. The University's Research Office provides the primary point of contact for corporate liaison, and is actively involved in pursuing impact and knowledge exchange activities and opportunities throughout the University. Cambridge Enterprise, the University's technology transfer and entrepreneurship arm, exists to enhance the University of Cambridge's contribution to society through knowledge transfer from the University to the community. The Institute of Astronomy members interact with these organisations regularly. Engagement with the wider economic community is supported
by a Collaborative Research Facilitator, based in the Cavendish Laboratory, who is able to provide advice on relevant networking and funding opportunities.
In summary, the research carried out at the IoA supported through this will lead to a wide range of impacts across a broad range of areas. From direct and specific impact in the application of analysis techniques to problems in the medical field, in the gaming industry, to inspirational outreach programmes engaging with those teaching the next generation of scientists.
The University of Cambridge has one of the most successful programmes for nurturing knowledge transfer and resulting economic and societal impact between University departments and industry both in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. The extraordinarily successful Cambridge Science Park is well known, with expertise and ideas from Cambridge Astrophysics being involved in the establishment of several businesses in the Cambridge area.
The IoA's approach to the search for impact opportunities is embedded in the mechanisms that the University has in place to facilitate this. The University's Research Office provides the primary point of contact for corporate liaison, and is actively involved in pursuing impact and knowledge exchange activities and opportunities throughout the University. Cambridge Enterprise, the University's technology transfer and entrepreneurship arm, exists to enhance the University of Cambridge's contribution to society through knowledge transfer from the University to the community. The Institute of Astronomy members interact with these organisations regularly. Engagement with the wider economic community is supported
by a Collaborative Research Facilitator, based in the Cavendish Laboratory, who is able to provide advice on relevant networking and funding opportunities.
In summary, the research carried out at the IoA supported through this will lead to a wide range of impacts across a broad range of areas. From direct and specific impact in the application of analysis techniques to problems in the medical field, in the gaming industry, to inspirational outreach programmes engaging with those teaching the next generation of scientists.
Organisations
Publications
Catalán-Torrecilla C
(2017)
Star Formation in the Local Universe from the CALIFA Sample. II. Activation and Quenching Mechanisms in Bulges, Bars, and Disks
in The Astrophysical Journal
Pâris I
(2017)
The Sloan Digital Sky Survey Quasar Catalog: Twelfth data release
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
An J.
(2017)
Reflection symmetries of Isolated Self-consistent Stellar Systems
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Katz H
(2017)
Interpreting ALMA observations of the ISM during the epoch of reionization
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Kosec P
(2018)
A stratified ultrafast outflow in 1H0707-495?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Henden N
(2018)
The FABLE simulations: a feedback model for galaxies, groups, and clusters
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Kahre L
(2018)
Extinction Maps and Dust-to-gas Ratios in Nearby Galaxies with LEGUS
in The Astrophysical Journal
Fiacconi D
(2018)
Galactic nuclei evolution with spinning black holes: method and implementation
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Ricci C
(2018)
BAT AGN Spectroscopic Survey - XII. The relation between coronal properties of active galactic nuclei and the Eddington ratio
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Pinto C
(2018)
Ultrafast outflows disappear in high-radiation fields
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Kral Q
(2018)
Cometary impactors on the TRAPPIST-1 planets can destroy all planetary atmospheres and rebuild secondary atmospheres on planets f, g, and h
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Lilley E
(2018)
Galaxy halo expansions: a new biorthogonal family of potential-density pairs
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Harrison J
(2018)
Polluted white dwarfs: constraints on the origin and geology of exoplanetary material
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Liebmann A
(2018)
X-Ray Spectral Properties of Seyfert I Galaxy LEDA 168563
in The Astrophysical Journal
Kosec P
(2018)
Searching for outflows in ultraluminous X-ray sources through high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Ilee J
(2018)
G11.92-0.61 MM 1: A Fragmented Keplerian Disk Surrounding a Proto-O Star
in The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Kral Q
(2018)
Cometary impactors on the TRAPPIST-1 planets can destroy all planetary atmospheres and rebuild secondary atmospheres on planets f, g, and h
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Aharonian H
(2018)
Hitomi observations of the LMC SNR N 132 D: Highly redshifted X-ray emission from iron ejecta
in Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan
Iorio G
(2018)
The first all-sky view of the Milky Way stellar halo with Gaia+2MASS RR Lyrae
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Wethers C
(2018)
UV-luminous, star-forming hosts of z ~ 2 reddened quasars in the Dark Energy Survey
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Matrà L
(2018)
Molecular Reconnaissance of the ß Pictoris Gas Disk with the SMA: A Low HCN/(CO+CO 2 ) Outgassing Ratio and Predictions for Future Surveys
in The Astrophysical Journal
Walker S
(2018)
The split in the ancient cold front in the Perseus cluster
in Nature Astronomy
Takahashi T
(2018)
Hitomi (ASTRO-H) X-ray Astronomy Satellite
in Journal of Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments, and Systems
Kilpatrick B
(2018)
Community Targets of JWST's Early Release Science Program: Evaluation of WASP-63b
in The Astronomical Journal
Dye S
(2018)
The UKIRT Hemisphere Survey: definition and J-band data release
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Grasha K
(2018)
Connecting young star clusters to CO molecular gas in NGC 7793 with ALMA-LEGUS
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Schaefer B
(2018)
The KIC 8462852 light curve from 2015.75 to 2018.18 shows a variable secular decline
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Booth A
(2018)
Sulphur monoxide exposes a potential molecular disk wind from the planet-hosting disk around HD 100546
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Kostrzewa-Rutkowska Z
(2018)
Gaia transients in galactic nuclei
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Miller J
(2018)
X-Ray Structure between the Innermost Disk and Optical Broad-line Region in NGC 4151
in The Astrophysical Journal
Murphy E
(2018)
The Star Formation in Radio Survey: Jansky Very Large Array 33 GHz Observations of Nearby Galaxy Nuclei and Extranuclear Star-forming Regions
in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
Pinhas A
(2018)
Retrieval of planetary and stellar properties in transmission spectroscopy with Aura
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Walton D
(2018)
Disentangling the complex broad-band X-ray spectrum of IRAS 13197-1627 with NuSTAR, XMM-Newton and Suzaku
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Audcent-Ross F
(2018)
Near-identical star formation rate densities from Ha and FUVat redshift zero
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Pinto C
(2018)
AGN feedback in the Phoenix cluster
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
De Bernardis P
(2018)
Exploring cosmic origins with CORE: The instrument
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Middleton M
(2018)
Lense-Thirring precession in ULXs as a possible means to constrain the neutron star equation of state
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Rumbaugh N
(2018)
Extreme Variability Quasars from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and the Dark Energy Survey
in The Astrophysical Journal
Rosotti G
(2018)
The evolution of photoevaporating viscous discs in binaries
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Mudd D
(2018)
Quasar Accretion Disk Sizes from Continuum Reverberation Mapping from the Dark Energy Survey
in The Astrophysical Journal
Drlica-Wagner A
(2018)
Dark Energy Survey Year 1 Results: Photometric Data Set for Cosmology
De Boer T
(2018)
A deeper look at the GD1 stream: density variations and wiggles
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Scott N
(2018)
The SAMI Galaxy Survey: Data Release Two with absorption-line physics value-added products
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Spoto F
(2018)
Observations of solar system objects
| Title | VLT/X-SHOOTER & Keck/ESI spectra of z~5 QSOs |
| Description | VizieR online Data Catalogue associated with article published in journal Astronomical Journal (AAS) with title 'Chasing the tail of cosmic reionization with dark gap statistics in the Ly{alpha} forest over 5 |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| URL | https://cdsarc.cds.unistra.fr/viz-bin/cat/J/ApJ/923/223 |