Open University Rolling Grant 2009 - 2014
Lead Research Organisation:
The Open University
Department Name: Physical Sciences
Abstract
The OU Astronomy Group seeks continuation of its Rolling Grant to support a program of observational, theoretical, laboratory and space based astronomical research and instrumentation development. Theme 1 Star formation: This theme aims to understand star formation of our Galaxy and the local universe, focussing on near and far infrared studies. We will pursue four interlinked projects working within our access to the Guaranteed Time data from the AKARI space infrared telescope, the LOFAR radio telescope, and ESO facilities. The projects lie at the heart of star formation astrophysics, building on past work on molecular cloud structure, far-IR astronomy and triggered and high mass star formation. Project 1.1 ASTRO-F Galactic Plane Survey Project 1.2 Massive star and starburst cluster formation Project 1.3 HERSCHEL Survey exploitation Project 1.4 LOFAR Galactic Plane Survey Theme 2 Planetary Astrophysics: This area includes observational searches for Exoplanets; exoplanet characterisation with HST and Spitzer, modelling Exoplanet atmospheres; the interior structure of Exoplanets; and the dynamics and migration physics involved in various planetary architectures; and models and exploitation of data from solar system terrestrial planetary atmospheres. Project 2.1 Exoplanet Dynamics Project 2.2 Exoplanet Structure and Evolution Project 2.3 Solar System terrestrial planetary atmospheres Theme 3 Extragalactic Infrared astronomy & Cosmology: This is an integrated research programme to trace the cosmic evolution of star-forming galaxies using major international far-infrared and submm-wave legacy surveys / key projects. Project 3.1 SCUBA-2 and AKARI Legacy Surveys Project 3.2 The HERSCHEL ATLAS Key Project Project 3.3 The Cosmic Near-Infrared Background Theme 4 Extreme Environment astrophysics: This program explores the interrelation between galactic environment and relativistic object content in nearby galaxies, to provide insights into high-mass star formation, relativistic object formation and high-energy phenomena that cannot be gained from observations in our own Galaxy alone; to study the counterparts of high-energy sources we identify in our X-ray surveys of nearby galaxies; and conduct numerical simulations to model the nature of the accretion flows and the nature of their X-ray populations Project 4.1 Relativistic accretors in nearby galaxies Project 4.2 Characterising compact accreting systems Project 4.3 Magnetic Cataclysmic Variable Populations Theme 5 Laboratory Astrochemistry; Exploring Chemical Complexity: The research is targeted at simulating chemical and physical processes within star and planet formation regions and planetary atmospheres and surfaces; The research programme is focused on two projects (i) exploring the nature of chemical complexity in the ISM and (ii) identification of biomarkers that will be used to exploit extant data, and lead to the identification of robust biogenic biomarker signals in Exoplanet atmospheres and surfaces. Project 5.1 The Chemistry of Star and Planet Formation. Project 5.2 Identifying biosignatures for Exoplanetary studies; Theme 6 Astronomical Instrumentation Development for Space Missions: This proposal aims to promote radiation damage studies for future space missions which are within the STFC programme. The activity includes: a) Laboratory study of radiation damage and other environmental factors affecting scientific instrumentation on space missions, b) To provide low-level support to our collaboration with China on their first national X-ray astronomy mission, HXMT, c) To provide support at the early stage of future project studies, for both space and ground based instrumentation Project 6.1 Laboratory Studies of Radiation Damage (1 PDRA) Project 6.2 Radiation Damage support for the HXMT project
Publications
Kolenberg K
(2010)
An in-depth spectroscopic analysis of the Blazhko star RR Lyrae I. Characterisation of the star: abundance analysis and fundamental parameters
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Schneider N
(2010)
The Herschel view of star formation in the Rosette molecular cloud under the influence of NGC 2244
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Thomas N
(2010)
SuperWASP observations of long timescale photometric variations in cataclysmic variables
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Schneider J
(2010)
The far future of exoplanet direct characterization.
in Astrobiology
Grenfell JL
(2010)
Co-evolution of atmospheres, life, and climate.
in Astrobiology
Spiga A
(2010)
Structure and dynamics of the convective boundary layer on Mars as inferred from large-eddy simulations and remote-sensing measurements
in Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society
Habart E
(2010)
SPIRE spectroscopy of the prototypical Orion Bar photodissociation region
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Molinari S
(2010)
Hi-GAL: The Herschel Infrared Galactic Plane Survey
in Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Goto T
(2010)
Evolution of infrared luminosity functions of galaxies in the AKARI NEP-deep field Revealing the cosmic star formation history hidden by dust
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Liseau R
(2010)
Resolving the cold debris disc around a planet-hosting star PACS photometric imaging observations of q 1 Eridani (HD 10647, HR 506)
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Davis P
(2010)
A comprehensive population synthesis study of post-common envelope binaries
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Griffin M
(2010)
The Herschel -SPIRE instrument and its in-flight performance
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Austermann J
(2010)
AzTEC half square degree survey of the SHADES fields â?? I. Maps, catalogues and source counts
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Spiga
(2010)
Martian mesoscale and microscale wind variability of relevance for dust lifting
in The Mars Journal
Lewis F
(2010)
The double-peaked 2008 outburst of the accreting milli-second X-ray pulsar, IGR J00291+5934
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
González-Nuevo J
(2010)
Herschel -ATLAS: Blazars in the science demonstration phase field
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Bontemps S
(2010)
The Herschel first look at protostars in the Aquila rift
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Nilsson R
(2010)
Kuiper belts around nearby stars
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Davis C
(2010)
The JCMT Legacy Survey of the Gould Belt: a first look at Taurus with HARP
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Fossati L
(2010)
A DETAILED SPECTROPOLARIMETRIC ANALYSIS OF THE PLANET-HOSTING STAR WASP-12 ,
in The Astrophysical Journal
Hennemann M
(2010)
Herschel observations of embedded protostellar clusters in the Rosette molecular cloud
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Ward-Thompson D
(2010)
A Herschel study of the properties of starless cores in the Polaris Flare dark cloud region using PACS and SPIRE
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Maddox S
(2010)
Herschel -ATLAS: The angular correlation function of submillimetre galaxies at high and low redshift
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Kirk J
(2010)
Herschel -SPIRE spectroscopy of G29.96-0.02: Fitting the full SED
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Ritchie B
(2010)
A VLT/FLAMES survey for massive binaries in Westerlund 1 II. Dynamical constraints on magnetar progenitor masses from the eclipsing binary W13
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Description | This supported a varied programme of astronomical research at the Open University. Outputs have been published in peer-reviewed, and unrefereed papers and catalogues. |
Exploitation Route | These results were rolled into the next Consolidated Grant that was awarded. |
Sectors | Education |
Description | As a basis for a number of Television News interviews on different astronomical subjects As part of Open University Teaching material |
First Year Of Impact | 2009 |
Sector | Education |
Impact Types | Societal |
Description | Edinburgh |
Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
Department | Theoretical Particle Physics (PPT) Research Group |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Contribution of expertise; also some travel funds for visits of the collaborator to Durham and Glasgow. |
Collaborator Contribution | A member of Edinburgh University joined an existing project looking at properties of soft gluons in multiparton scattering. This has led to new developments, aided by the combination of complementary expertise. Edinburgh have also contributed with some financial assistance (e.g. accommodation for visits). |
Impact | So far there have been two published research papers (see publications). |
Start Year | 2010 |