Rolling Grant Programme in Astrophysics, Planetary Science and Space Instrumentation - 2010-2015
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leicester
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
We propose a world-class programme of research encompassing astrophysics, planetary science and space instrumentation. In high energy astrophysics, we will investigate a range of extreme phenomena including gamma-ray bursts and accreting black holes, primarily through the use of space observatories such as XMM-Newton and Swift combined with multiwaveband follow-up. Our programme also focuses on the astrophysics of dwarf stars, from hot white dwarfs through to brown dwarfs, utilising observational data in the infrared through to the ultraviolet. We will also continue to search for planets in orbit around nearby stars, exploiting the novel sky survey being conducted by WASP. In planetary science we intend to progress our comparative study of auroral processes on Saturn, Jupiter and Mercury using a combination of remote imaging, in situ spacecraft measurements and modelling. A new strand of research aims at characterising the composition of asteroids and comets and also grains entering the solar system from interstellar space. In space instrumentation, we are engaged in ground-breaking research into X-ray interferometry with the eventual goal of providing, for the first time, an ultra-high resolution imaging capability in high energy astrophysics. We will also investigate the potential of a very low-mass X-ray optic for a diverse range of applications including monitoring the whole sky on a daily basis with an unprecedented sensitivity for transient X-ray events and the imaging of Solar Wind Charge Exchange in the Earth's magnetosphere. Finally we also propose to maintain a very strong commitment to knowledge transfer and to public outreach.
Organisations
Publications
Redaelli M
(2011)
The pulsations of PG 1351+489 The pulsations of PG 1351+489
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Pounds K
(2011)
An extended XMM-Newton observation of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 4051 - I. Evidence for a shocked outflow X-ray spectrum of NGC 4051
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Roberts T
(2011)
(No) dynamical constraints on the mass of the black hole in two ULXs
in Astronomische Nachrichten
Levan AJ
(2011)
An extremely luminous panchromatic outburst from the nucleus of a distant galaxy.
in Science (New York, N.Y.)
Osborne J
(2011)
THE SUPERSOFT X-RAY PHASE OF NOVA RS OPHIUCHI 2006
in The Astrophysical Journal
Barker M
(2011)
The star formation history in the far outer disc of M33 M33's outer disc star formation history
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Vergani S
(2011)
GRB 091127/SN 2009nz and the VLT/X-shooter spectroscopy of its host galaxy: probing the faint end of the mass-metallicity relation
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Dainotti M
(2011)
Towards a standard gamma-ray burst: tight correlations between the prompt and the afterglow plateau phase emission Correlations between prompt and afterglow
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Cano Z
(2011)
XRF 100316D/SN 2010bh AND THE NATURE OF GAMMA-RAY BURST SUPERNOVAE
in The Astrophysical Journal
Kowalski M
(2011)
HIGH-RESOLUTION SPECTROSCOPY OF FEIGE 24 IN THE EXTREME-ULTRAVIOLET
in The Astrophysical Journal
Feroci M
(2011)
The Large Observatory for X-ray Timing (LOFT)
in Experimental Astronomy
Richardson J
(2011)
PAndAS' PROGENY: EXTENDING THE M31 DWARF GALAXY CABAL
in The Astrophysical Journal
Conn A
(2011)
A BAYESIAN APPROACH TO LOCATING THE RED GIANT BRANCH TIP MAGNITUDE. I.
in The Astrophysical Journal
Starling R
(2011)
Discovery of the nearby long, soft GRB 100316D with an associated supernova Discovery of GRB 100316D
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jackson F
(2012)
On the nature of high X-ray luminosities in Sloan Digital Sky Survey galaxies High X-ray luminosities in SDSS galaxies
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
González-Martín O
(2012)
X-ray variability of 104 active galactic nuclei XMM-Newton power-spectrum density profiles?
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Dobbie P
(2012)
High-field magnetic white dwarfs as the progeny of early-type stars?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Hiroi K
(2012)
COMOVING SPACE DENSITY AND OBSCURED FRACTION OF HIGH-REDSHIFT ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI IN THE SUBARU/ XMM-NEWTON DEEP SURVEY
in The Astrophysical Journal
Pounds K
(2012)
An extended XMM-Newton observation of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 4051 - III. Fe K emission and absorption X-ray spectrum of NGC 4051
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Krühler T
(2012)
THE OPTICALLY UNBIASED GRB HOST (TOUGH) SURVEY. V. VLT/X-SHOOTER EMISSION-LINE REDSHIFTS FOR SWIFT GRBs AT z ~ 2
in The Astrophysical Journal
Goad M
(2012)
The broad emission-line region: the confluence of the outer accretion disc with the inner edge of the dusty torus A bowl-shaped BLR
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Tanvir N
(2012)
STAR FORMATION IN THE EARLY UNIVERSE: BEYOND THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG
in The Astrophysical Journal
Svensson K
(2012)
The dark GRB 080207 in an extremely red host and the implications for gamma-ray bursts in highly obscured environments The dark GRB 080207
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Mateos S
(2012)
Using the Bright Ultrahard XMM-Newton survey to define an IR selection of luminous AGN based on WISE colours AGN selection with WISE
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Nichols J
(2012)
ORIGIN OF ELECTRON CYCLOTRON MASER INDUCED RADIO EMISSIONS AT ULTRACOOL DWARFS: MAGNETOSPHERE-IONOSPHERE COUPLING CURRENTS
in The Astrophysical Journal
Description | We have undertaken an ambitious set of resewaerch projects in astrophysics and space technology. These have led to innovative X-ray optics, including interferometry, and a numnber of astrophysics and planetary science outcomes. These include studies of the most distant objects in the Universe, the characterisation of asteroid samples, the discovery of exoplanets, the characterisation of compact objects (neutron stars, black holes and white dwarfs) and the statistical properties of active galactic nuclei. |
Exploitation Route | The astrophsyical results will inform future studies. The hardware/technology findings can be used in future space missions. |
Sectors | Education |
Description | We have used our research to advance knowledge of astrophysics and space science which has been communicated to the public via outreach activties, including presentations at the National Space Centre, at various schools and through public outreach events including Stargazing live. Technology work has been carried out on X-ray optics which has led to designs for international space missions utlising low-cost and light-weight optical modules. |
First Year Of Impact | 2013 |
Sector | Education,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
Impact Types | Societal |
Title | qsoft - ray tracing and simulation software for X-ray optics and X-ray telescopes |
Description | qsoft is a comprehensive suite of routines for the simulation of X-ray optics and X-ray telescopes. The routines can be accessed using the scripting languages R and/or Python. The routines are written in Fortran 77 and C and the source is self contained and requires no external packages or libraries. The source is available from GitHub. A fortran compiler (gfortran preferred) and R and/or Python with module f2py are required to build the libraries. |
Type Of Technology | Software |
Year Produced | 2017 |
Open Source License? | Yes |
Impact | This software has been used for the design and analysis of a number of existing X-ray telescopes: Rosat WFC, XMM-Newton, Swift, SVOM MXT. It is currently in use for the design of up coming instruments: ESA Theseus, NASA TAO, Chinese Einstein Probe. |
URL | https://github.com/dickwillingale |
Description | Numerous public talks and schools visits |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Too numerous to list Inspiration of young and old audiences |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010,2011,2012,2013 |
Description | UCAS recruitment day University of Leicester |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | The aim is to give prospective undergraduate students a selection of the types of subjects they will study in the University of Leicester College of Science. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017 |
Description | Various school visits, astronomical society lectures |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Many presentations, 100s of students, excellent questions and discussion. Audience figures are totals for activities during each year. Improvements in interest in applying for science degrees |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018 |