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
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
De Wit W
(2008)
Resolved 24.5 micron emission from massive young stellar objects
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Gallerani S
(2012)
Resolved [CII] emission in a lensed quasar at z = 4.4
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
De Wit W
(2008)
Resolving the ionized wind of the post-red supergiant IRC +10 420 with VLTI/AMBER
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Kassa M
(2012)
Secondary charging effects due to icy dust particle impacts on rocket payloads
in Annales Geophysicae
Bergin E
(2010)
Sensitive limits on the abundance of cold water vapor in the DM Tauri protoplanetary disk
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Komissarov S
(2012)
Shock dissipation in magnetically dominated impulsive flows Shock dissipation
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Van Loo S
(2010)
Shock-triggered formation of magnetically dominated clouds - II. Weak shock-cloud interaction in three dimensions Weak shock-cloud interaction in 3D
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Patel M
(2008)
Spectropolarimetry of the massive post-red supergiants IRC +10420 and HD 179821
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Fahed R
(2011)
Spectroscopy of the archetype colliding-wind binary WR 140 during the 2009 January periastron passage WR 140: 2009 January periastron passage
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 |