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
Patel M
(2008)
Spectropolarimetry of the massive post-red supergiants IRC +10420 and HD 179821
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Pillai T
(2012)
H 2 D + IN THE HIGH-MASS STAR-FORMING REGION CYGNUS X
in The Astrophysical Journal
Pineda J
(2011)
THE ENIGMATIC CORE L1451-mm: A FIRST HYDROSTATIC CORE? OR A HIDDEN VeLLO?
in The Astrophysical Journal
Pineda J
(2010)
DIRECT OBSERVATION OF A SHARP TRANSITION TO COHERENCE IN DENSE CORES
in The Astrophysical Journal
Pineda J
(2011)
EXPANDED VERY LARGE ARRAY OBSERVATIONS OF THE BARNARD 5 STAR-FORMING CORE: EMBEDDED FILAMENTS REVEALED
in The Astrophysical Journal
Pineda Jaime E.
(2008)
Isotopologues in the perseus molecular cloud complex: The X-factor and regional variations
in ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL
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
Pittard J
(2011)
Tails of the unexpected: the interaction of an isothermal shell with a cloud
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Pittard J
(2009)
3D models of radiatively driven colliding winds in massive O+O star binaries - I. Hydrodynamics
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Pittard J
(2009)
The turbulent destruction of clouds - I. A k -e treatment of turbulence in 2D models of adiabatic shock-cloud interactions
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 |