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
Motte F
(2010)
Initial highlights of the HOBYS key program, the Herschel imaging survey of OB young stellar objects
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Molinari S
(2011)
A 100 pc ELLIPTICAL AND TWISTED RING OF COLD AND DENSE MOLECULAR CLOUDS REVEALED BY HERSCHEL AROUND THE GALACTIC CENTER
in The Astrophysical Journal
Molinari S
(2010)
Hi-GAL: The Herschel Infrared Galactic Plane Survey
in Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Molinari S
(2010)
Clouds, filaments, and protostars: The Herschel Hi-GAL Milky Way
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Miville-Deschênes M
(2010)
Herschel -SPIRE observations of the Polaris flare: Structure of the diffuse interstellar medium at the sub-parsec scale
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Minier V
(2013)
Ionisation impact of high-mass stars on interstellar filaments A Herschel study of the RCW 36 bipolar nebula in Vela C ???
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Miao J
(2010)
AN INVESTIGATION OF THE TYPE M MORPHOLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF IC59: A NEW MODEL FOR BRIGHT RIM CLOUDS?
in The Astrophysical Journal
Miao J
(2009)
AN INVESTIGATION ON THE MORPHOLOGICAL EVOLUTION OF BRIGHT-RIMMED CLOUDS
in The Astrophysical Journal
Men'shchikov A
(2010)
Filamentary structures and compact objects in the Aquila and Polaris clouds observed by Herschel
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Meeus G
(2010)
Gas in the protoplanetary disc of HD 169142: Herschel 's view
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
McCleese D
(2010)
Structure and dynamics of the Martian lower and middle atmosphere as observed by the Mars Climate Sounder: Seasonal variations in zonal mean temperature, dust, and water ice aerosols
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets
Matsuura S
(2011)
DETECTION OF THE COSMIC FAR-INFRARED BACKGROUND IN AKARI DEEP FIELD SOUTH
in The Astrophysical Journal
Matsuhara H
(2012)
OVERVIEW OF THE NORTH ECLIPTIC POLE DEEP MULTI-WAVELENGTH SURVEY (NEP-DEEP)
in Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
Mathews G
(2010)
GAS in Protoplanetary Systems (GASPS) I. First results
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Mason J
(2013)
Radiative transfer modelling of dust devils
in Icarus
Mason J
(2014)
The retrieval of optical properties from terrestrial dust devil vortices
in Icarus
Mason A
(2011)
The masses of the neutron and donor star in the high-mass X-ray binary IGR J18027-2016
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Mason A
(2009)
Spectral classification of the mass donors in the high-mass X-ray binaries EXO 1722-363 and OAO 1657-415
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Mason A
(2010)
Preliminary determinations of the masses of the neutron star and mass donor in the high mass X-ray binary system EXO 1722-363
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Mason A
(2012)
The evolution and masses of the neutron star and donor star in the high mass X-ray binary OAO 1657-415? Masses of NS and donor in OAO 1657-415
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Martínez-Alvarado O
(2009)
Low-order dynamical behavior in the martian atmosphere: Diagnosis of general circulation model results
in Icarus
Marshall J
(2013)
Herschel observations of the debris disc around HIP 92043
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Marshall J
(2011)
A Herschel resolved far-infrared dust ring around HD 207129
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Marchetti L
(2017)
Finding bright z = 6.6 Ly a emitters with lensing: prospects for Euclid
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
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 |