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
Sánchez-Gallego J
(2011)
The JCMT Nearby Galaxies Legacy Survey VI. The distribution of gas and star formation in M 81
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Holmes S
(2011)
PIRATE: A Remotely Operable Telescope Facility for Research and Education
in Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Serjeant S
(2011)
Multi-wavelength probes of distant lensed galaxies
Petrosyan A
(2011)
THE MARTIAN ATMOSPHERIC BOUNDARY LAYER
in Reviews of Geophysics
Wijesinghe D
(2011)
GAMA/H-ATLAS: the ultraviolet spectral slope and obscuration in galaxies UV spectral slope and obscuration
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Stiele H
(2011)
The deep XMM-Newton Survey of M 31
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Goto T
(2011)
Infrared luminosity functions of AKARI Sloan Digital Sky Survey galaxies AKARI-SDSS IR LFs
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Coppin K
(2011)
Herschel-Astrophysical Terahertz Large Area Survey: detection of a far-infrared population around galaxy clusters? Far-infrared excess around clusters in H-ATLAS
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Rigby E
(2011)
Herschel-ATLAS: first data release of the Science Demonstration Phase source catalogues The H-ATLAS SDP catalogue
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Mason A
(2011)
The masses of the neutron and donor star in the high-mass X-ray binary IGR J18027-2016
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Sedgwick C
(2011)
Far-infrared luminosity function of local star-forming galaxies in the AKARI Deep Field-South Far-infrared local luminosity function
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Enoch B
(2011)
WASP-35b, WASP-48b, AND HAT-P-30b/WASP-51b: TWO NEW PLANETS AND AN INDEPENDENT DISCOVERY OF A HAT PLANET
in The Astronomical Journal
Evans C
(2011)
The VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey I. Introduction and observational overview?
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Bonfield D
(2011)
Herschel-ATLAS: the link between accretion luminosity and star formation in quasar host galaxies? H-ATLAS: quasar hosts with Herschel
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Malbet F
(2011)
High precision astrometry mission for the detection and characterization of nearby habitable planetary systems with the Nearby Earth Astrometric Telescope (NEAT)
in Experimental Astronomy
Takagi T
(2011)
The AKARI NEP-Deep survey: a mid-infrared source catalogue
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Smoker J
(2011)
Early-type stars observed in the ESO UVES Paranal Observatory Project - III. Sub-parsec and au-scale structure in the interstellar medium? Sub-parsec and au-scale structure in the ISM
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Goto T
(2011)
Luminosity functions of local infrared galaxies with AKARI: implications for the cosmic star formation history and AGN evolution AKARI IR LFs of the local Universe
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Delorme P
(2011)
Stellar rotation in the Hyades and Praesepe: gyrochronology and braking time-scale Stellar rotation in the Hyades and Praesepe: gyrochronology and braking time-scale
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Norton A
(2011)
Short period eclipsing binary candidates identified using SuperWASP
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Fossati L
(2011)
A detailed spectroscopic analysis of the open cluster NGC 5460? Detailed spectroscopic analysis of NGC 5460
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Lennon D
(2011)
The VLT-FLAMES Tarantula survey
in Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union
Simpson E
(2011)
WASP-37b: A 1.8 M J EXOPLANET TRANSITING A METAL-POOR STAR
in The Astronomical Journal
Marshall J
(2011)
A Herschel resolved far-infrared dust ring around HD 207129
in Astronomy & 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 |