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
Arab H
(2012)
Evolution of dust in the Orion Bar with Herschel I. Radiative transfer modelling
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Ertel S
(2012)
A peculiar class of debris disks from Herschel /DUNES A steep fall off in the far infrared
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Schneider N
(2012)
Cluster-formation in the Rosette molecular cloud at the junctions of filaments
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Clark J
(2012)
On the nature of candidate luminous blue variables in M 33
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Lupu R
(2012)
MEASUREMENTS OF CO REDSHIFTS WITH Z-SPEC FOR LENSED SUBMILLIMETER GALAXIES DISCOVERED IN THE H-ATLAS SURVEY
in The Astrophysical Journal
Bernard-Salas J
(2012)
Spatial variation of the cooling lines in the Orion Bar from Herschel /PACS
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Serjeant S
(2012)
Multi-wavelength probes of distant lensed galaxies
in Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union
Haswell C
(2012)
NEAR-ULTRAVIOLET ABSORPTION, CHROMOSPHERIC ACTIVITY, AND STAR-PLANET INTERACTIONS IN THE WASP-12 SYSTEM
in The Astrophysical Journal
Bloom J
(2012)
A COMPACT DEGENERATE PRIMARY-STAR PROGENITOR OF SN 2011fe
in The Astrophysical Journal
Peretto N
(2012)
The Pipe Nebula as seen with Herschel : formation of filamentary structures by large-scale compression?
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Pearson C
(2012)
THE SYNERGY OF LARGE AREA SURVEYS WITH AKARI AND HERSCHEL
in Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
Faimali A
(2012)
The G305 star-forming complex: embedded massive star formation discovered by Herschel Hi-GAL The G305 complex: a Hi-GAL far-IR study
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Pezzuto S
(2012)
Herschel observations of B1-bS and B1-bN: two first hydrostatic core candidates in the Perseus star-forming cloud
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Sedgwick C
(2012)
Far Infrared Luminosity Function of Local Galaxies in the AKARI Deep Field South
in Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union
Sedgwick C
(2012)
DETECTION OF Ha EMISSION FROM z>3.5 GALAXIES WITH AKARI-FUHYU NIR SPECTROSCOPY
in Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
Hennemann M
(2012)
The spine of the swan: a Herschel study of the DR21 ridge and filaments in Cygnus X
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Hindson L
(2012)
The G305 star-forming complex: a wide-area radio survey of ultracompact H ii regions The G305 star-forming complex: UCH ii regions
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Wraight K
(2012)
A photometric study of chemically peculiar stars with the STEREO satellites - I. Magnetic chemically peculiar stars? STEREO photometry of magnetic CP stars
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Christie H
(2012)
CO depletion in the Gould Belt clouds CO depletion in the Gould Belt clouds
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Vasavada A
(2012)
Assessment of Environments for Mars Science Laboratory Entry, Descent, and Surface Operations
in Space Science Reviews
Van Weeren R
(2012)
First LOFAR observations at very low frequencies of cluster-scale non-thermal emission: the case of Abell 2256
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Cappetta M
(2012)
The first planet detected in the WTS: an inflated hot Jupiter in a 3.35 d orbit around a late F star Inflated HJ in close orbit around a late-F-star
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Kim S
(2012)
The North Ecliptic Pole Wide survey of AKARI: a near- and mid-infrared source catalog
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
González-Nuevo J
(2012)
HERSCHEL -ATLAS: TOWARD A SAMPLE OF ~1000 STRONGLY LENSED GALAXIES
in The Astrophysical Journal
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 |