A Rolling Programme of Astrophysical Research at Leeds
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leeds
Department Name: Applied Mathematics
Abstract
Many astrophysical phenomena involve a complicated interaction between physical and chemical processes and fluid dynamics. We intend to use a combination of analysis and novel numerical methods, based on adaptive grids, to investigate such phenomena, in particular those involved in star formation, interactions between stars and their environment, starburst galaxies and active galactic nuclei, pulsar wind nebulae and the magnetospheres of pulsars and black holes. The emphasis is on generic processes that are important in a wide range of astrophysical objects. The star formation theme will combine the theoretical work with molecular line observations, multi-wavelength surveys of our Galaxy and the latest high resolution observations of the circumstellar environment of massive stars.
Organisations
Publications
Pope E
(2008)
The generation of optical emission-line filaments in galaxy clusters
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Green J
(2008)
Multibeam maser survey of methanol and excited OH in the Magellanic Clouds: new detections and maser abundance estimates
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Pittard J
(2010)
3D models of radiatively driven colliding winds in massive O + O star binaries - III. Thermal X-ray emission
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Davies B
(2010)
The circumstellar disc, envelope and bipolar outflow of the massive young stellar object W33A
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Parkin E
(2009)
The interactions of winds from massive young stellar objects: X-ray emission, dynamics and cavity evolution
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Barkov M
(2011)
Recycling of neutron stars in common envelopes and hypernova explosions Recycling of neutron stars and hypernovae
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Bayet E
(2011)
First observations of CN (2-1), HCO+ (3-2) and C2H (3-2) emission lines in the Perseus cluster: constraints on heating mechanisms in the cluster gas Molecules as heating probe in Perseus
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Ilee J
(2011)
Chemistry in a gravitationally unstable protoplanetary disc Chemistry in a gravitationally unstable disc
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Komissarov S
(2009)
Magnetic acceleration of ultrarelativistic jets in gamma-ray burst sources
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Purcell C
(2012)
The H 2 O Southern Galactic Plane Survey: NH 3 (1,1) and (2,2) catalogues The HOPS NH 3 (1,1) and (2,2) catalogues
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Description | Star formation occurs due to the collapse of interstellar clouds due to their own gravitational attraction. We have shown that the interstellar magnetic field plays an important role in forming the clouds that can collapse to form stars. |
Exploitation Route | It is now generally recognised that magnetic fields and in particular non-ideal effects such as ambi-polar diffusion play an important role in the formation of the clouds that collapse to form stars. |
Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Energy,Environment |
Description | The observational work has improved our understanding of massive star formation. The theoretical work has shown that magnetic fields play a major role in the early stages of star formation. |
First Year Of Impact | 2010 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Energy,Environment |
Impact Types | Cultural,Economic |
Description | Star Formation and Protoplanetary Discs |
Amount | £1,546,225 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ST/I001557/1 |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2011 |
End | 03/2014 |