High Energy Astrophysics at Southampton
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Southampton
Department Name: Sch of Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
On the stellar scale we are interested in the significance of different environments on the evolution of high mass X-ray binary (HMXB) populations, in particular between the Milky Way and the SMC, where differing star formation rates and metallicities could be crucial. What are the relative importances of local and interstellar obscuration in what we see? Here the upcoming 2Msec INTEGRAL Key Programme observation of the SMC, almost unaffected by obscuration, will be of great value. Globular clusters are outstanding laboratories for studying stellar dynamics and stellar evolution, especially for understanding the most exotic stellar populations. We are drawing together observations of large samples of globular clusters to understand which cluster properties are most important for the production of these exotic stars, and comparing with low stellar density dwarf spheroidal galaxies to isolate the stellar evolution from stellar dynamics. The Netherlands-based low frequency radio array, LOFAR, is about to open a new window on the universe providing the first radio `all sky monitor'. We will study coherent radio bursts, perhaps associated with merging neutron stars, detectable at enormous distances (to z=7), providing a unique probe of the intergalactic medium and possibly even testing theories of gravity and cosmological distance scales via identification of LIGO inspiral events We will continue our research into the coupling between accretion and outflow (jets) in X-ray binaries, and how it relates to parallel processes in AGN (where scaling laws with black hole mass are established), accreting neutron stars and white dwarfs. We have amassed the first comprehensive database of black hole spectral states and will extend this analysis to include X-ray timing and radio results. Thus we will produce the most comprehensive analysis to date of the relation between black hole accretion flows and the formation and power of relativistic jets. The results can be applied to AGN feedback in galaxies and clusters. We will greatly improve our knowledge of the scaling relationship between characteristic X-ray timescale, mass and accretion rate in Seyfert galaxies and Galactic binaries, thus testing physical models for this important universal relationship. We will determine whether the relationship applies in jet dominated ``blazars'', implying a universal origin for variability. We are building a model, based on propagating fluctuations, to provide physical understanding of all spectral-timing relationships to derive physical parameters, eg disc emissivity profile. This model, with additional X-ray reprocessing, should also explain X-ray/optical correlations in AGN so we will test it against our X-ray/optical monitoring. To provide a census of the nearby universe on which models of the more distant universe can be built, we are heavily involved in eMERLIN legacy surveys of nearby galaxy samples It is now widely accepted that some process must reheat the gas in galaxy clusters or large amounts of cool gas, which are not seen, would be found in the cores of clusters of galaxies. But what is the heating mechanism? In our most theoretical project we will investigate, via MHD simulations, whether the dissipation of turbulent energy, driven by merger events, galaxy motions and AGN outflows, may be responsible. On the largest scales, both AGN and starforming galaxies (SFGs) contribute to the faint radio source population, but what is the mix? By combining radio morphology with a variety of spectral energy diagnostics we can distinguish AGN from SFGs. Hence, using radio luminosity as a starformation rate (SFR) indicator, we can determine the evolution of the cosmic SFR in an absorption-independent manner. We will push this technique to much higher redshifts, as major contributors to eMERLIN deep field legacy surveys, and also probe the relationship between SFGs and AGN.
Organisations
Publications
Liu Y
(2010)
SUZAKU MONITORING OF THE IRON K EMISSION LINE IN THE TYPE 1 ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEUS NGC 5548
in The Astrophysical Journal
Krongold Y
(2010)
SUZAKU MONITORING OF THE SEYFERT 1 GALAXY NGC 5548: WARM ABSORBER LOCATION AND ITS IMPLICATION FOR COSMIC FEEDBACK
in The Astrophysical Journal
Ness J
(2009)
SWIFT X-RAY AND ULTRAVIOLET MONITORING OF THE CLASSICAL NOVA V458 VUL (NOVA VUL 2007)
in The Astronomical Journal
Landi R
(2010)
Swift/XRT observations of unidentified INTEGRAL/IBIS sources Swift/XRT observations of unidentified INTEGRAL/IBIS sources
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Russell D
(2011)
TESTING THE JET QUENCHING PARADIGM WITH AN ULTRADEEP OBSERVATION OF A STEADILY SOFT STATE BLACK HOLE
in The Astrophysical Journal
Emmanoulopoulos D
(2012)
The 'harder when brighter' X-ray behaviour of the low-luminosity active galactic nucleus NGC 7213 NGC 7213: 'harder when brighter' X-ray behaviour
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Emmanoulopoulos D
(2012)
The `harder when brighter' X-ray behaviour of the low luminosity active galactic nucleus NGC 7213
Hardcastle M
(2009)
The active nuclei of z < 1.0 3CRR radio sources
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Vercellone S
(2011)
THE BRIGHTEST GAMMA-RAY FLARING BLAZAR IN THE SKY: AGILE AND MULTI-WAVELENGTH OBSERVATIONS OF 3C 454.3 DURING 2010 NOVEMBER
in The Astrophysical Journal
Uthas H
(2011)
The cataclysmic variable SDSS J1507+52: an eclipsing period bouncer in the Galactic halo J1507: an eclipsing CV in the Galactic halo
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Macquart J
(2013)
The Commensal Real-Time ASKAP Fast-Transients (CRAFT) Survey
in Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia
Seymour N
(2010)
The comoving infrared luminosity density: domination of cold galaxies across 0 < z < 1
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Migliari S
(2010)
THE COMPLETE SPECTRUM OF THE NEUTRON STAR X-RAY BINARY 4U 0614+091
in The Astrophysical Journal
Villata M
(2009)
The correlated optical and radio variability of BL Lacertae WEBT data analysis 1994-2005
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Tudose V
(2009)
The discâ??jet coupling in the neutron star X-ray binary Aquila X-1 The discâ??jet coupling in Aql X-1
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Shelton D
(2011)
The dynamics and environmental impact of 3C 452 The dynamics & environmental impact of 3C 452
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Konar C
(2012)
The Dynamics of Radio Galaxies and Double-Double Radio Galaxies
in Journal of Astrophysics and Astronomy
Konar C
(2009)
The dynamics of the giant radio galaxy 3C???457
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Long K
(2009)
THE EFFECT OF A SUPEROUTBURST ON THE WHITE DWARF AND DISK OF VW HYDRI AS OBSERVED WITH FUSE
in The Astrophysical Journal
Wang Y
(2011)
The entrainment-limited evolution of FR II sources: maximum sizes and a possible connection to FR Is The entrainment-limited evolution of FR IIs
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Knigge C
(2011)
THE EVOLUTION OF CATACLYSMIC VARIABLES AS REVEALED BY THEIR DONOR STARS
in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
Ubertini P
(2009)
THE FERMI /LAT SKY AS SEEN BY INTEGRAL/IBIS
in The Astrophysical Journal
Miller-Jones J
(2012)
The first resolved imaging of milliarcsecond-scale jets in Circinus X-1 Resolved au-scale radio jets in Circinus X-1
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Bird A
(2010)
THE FOURTH IBIS/ISGRI SOFT GAMMA-RAY SURVEY CATALOG
in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
Malizia A
(2009)
The fraction of Compton-thick sources in an INTEGRAL complete AGN sample
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jonker P
(2011)
THE GALACTIC BULGE SURVEY: OUTLINE AND X-RAY OBSERVATIONS
in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
Noebauer U
(2010)
THE GEOMETRY AND IONIZATION STRUCTURE OF THE WIND IN THE ECLIPSING NOVA-LIKE VARIABLES RW TRI AND UX UMa
in The Astrophysical Journal
Molina M
(2009)
The INTEGRAL complete sample of type 1 AGN
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Ubertini P
(2011)
The INTEGRAL high energy sky and the MeV-GeV connection
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Kraft R
(2009)
THE JET HEATED X-RAY FILAMENT IN THE CENTAURUS A NORTHERN MIDDLE RADIO LOBE
in The Astrophysical Journal
McHardy I
(2010)
The Jet Paradigm - From Microquasars to Quasars
Fender R
(2010)
The Jet Paradigm - From Microquasars to Quasars
Symeonidis M
(2009)
The link between SCUBA and Spitzer : cold galaxies at z ? 1
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Peacock M
(2010)
The M31 globular cluster system: ugriz and K -band photometry and structural parameters
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
McBride V
(2010)
The Magellanic Bridge: evidence for a population of X-ray binaries X-ray binaries in the Magellanic Bridge
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Bassani L
(2009)
The nature of the ASCA / INTEGRAL source AX J183039-1002: a new Compton-thick AGN?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Cornelisse R
(2012)
The nature of the X-ray transient MAXI J0556-332 MAXI J0556-332
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jurua E
(2011)
The optical and X-ray light curves of Hercules X-1 The optical and X-ray light curves of Her X-1
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Uthas H
(2010)
The orbital period and system parameters of the recurrent nova T Pyx The orbital period of T Pyx
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Clark D
(2010)
The orbital period in the supergiant fast X-ray transient IGR J16465-4507 IGR J16465-4507
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
RodrÃguez-Gil P
(2010)
The orbital period of V458 Vulpeculae, a post-double common-envelope nova The 98.10-min orbital period of nova V458 Vul
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Townsend L
(2010)
The orbital solution and spectral classification of the high-mass X-ray binary IGR J01054-7253 in the Small Magellanic Cloud Orbital solution to the HMXB IGR J01054-7253
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Masetti N
(2010)
The peculiar high-mass X-ray binary 1ES 1210-646
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Hynes R
(2009)
The quiescent spectral energy distribution of V404 Cyg
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Pretorius M
(2012)
The space density and X-ray luminosity function of non-magnetic cataclysmic variables Space density and luminosity function of CVs
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Sale S
(2010)
The structure of the outer Galactic disc as revealed by IPHAS early A stars
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Evans D
(2011)
THE SUZAKU VIEW OF THE DISK-JET CONNECTION IN THE LOW-EXCITATION RADIO GALAXY NGC 6251
in The Astrophysical Journal
Peacock M
(2011)
The ultraviolet colour of globular clusters in M31: a core density effect? The UV colour of globular clusters in M31
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Arnaud M
(2010)
The universal galaxy cluster pressure profile from a representative sample of nearby systems (REXCESS) and the Y SZ - M 500 relation
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Joseph T
(2011)
The unusual radio transient in M82: an SS 433 analogue? The M82 radio transient: an SS 433 analogue?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Description | Many details regarding the accretion of material onto compact objects such as black holes, and the resulting emission, particularly with regard to the variability properties and to jets |
Exploitation Route | We work on some of the major questions in high energy astrophysics and our work on timing properties and scaling relationships between different mass and accretion rates will certainly form the basis of future examinations of scaling relationships, ie are black holes the same, apart from scale? |
Sectors | Creative Economy,Education |
Description | Other researchers have applied the techniques developed during the course of this grant to different types of astrophysical objects. We have also used them in the context of undergraduate projects on the time series analysis of stock market data, resulting the in the said undergraduates getting better paid jobs than their lecturers. |
First Year Of Impact | 2010 |
Sector | Creative Economy,Education,Financial Services, and Management Consultancy |
Impact Types | Cultural |