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
Casewell S
(2012)
WD0837+185: THE FORMATION AND EVOLUTION OF AN EXTREME MASS-RATIO WHITE-DWARF-BROWN-DWARF BINARY IN PRAESEPE
in The Astrophysical Journal
Holberg J
(2012)
OBSERVATIONAL CONSTRAINTS ON THE DEGENERATE MASS-RADIUS RELATION
in The Astronomical Journal
Warwick R
(2012)
The XMM-Newton slew survey in the 2-10 keV band
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Wiersema K
(2012)
Polarimetry of the transient relativistic jet of GRB 110328/Swift J164449.3+573451 Polarimetry of GRB 110328/Swift J164449.3+573451
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Dickinson N
(2012)
The origin of hot white dwarf circumstellar features The origin of hot DA circumstellar features
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Alston W
(2012)
Ultraviolet and X-ray variability of NGC 4051 over 45 days with XMM-Newton and Swift
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Wilson C
(2012)
The JCMT Nearby Galaxies Legacy Survey - VIII. CO data and the LCO(3-2)-LFIR correlation in the SINGS sample
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Stallard T
(2012)
Saturn's auroral/polar H 3 + infrared emission: The effect of solar wind compression
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Johnson B
(2012)
A SELF-CONSISTENT MODEL OF THE CIRCUMSTELLAR DEBRIS CREATED BY A GIANT HYPERVELOCITY IMPACT IN THE HD 172555 SYSTEM
in The Astrophysical Journal
Michalowski M
(2012)
THE OPTICALLY UNBIASED GRB HOST (TOUGH) SURVEY. VI. RADIO OBSERVATIONS AT z ? 1 AND CONSISTENCY WITH TYPICAL STAR-FORMING GALAXIES
in The Astrophysical Journal
Dickinson N
(2012)
The distribution of metals in hot DA white dwarfs The distribution of metals in hot DA white dwarfs
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Bridges J
(2012)
The nakhlite hydrothermal brine on Mars
in Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Jakobsson P
(2012)
THE OPTICALLY UNBIASED GRB HOST (TOUGH) SURVEY. III. REDSHIFT DISTRIBUTION
in The Astrophysical Journal
Barret D
(2012)
MAXIMUM LIKELIHOOD FITTING OF X-RAY POWER DENSITY SPECTRA: APPLICATION TO HIGH-FREQUENCY QUASI-PERIODIC OSCILLATIONS FROM THE NEUTRON STAR X-RAY BINARY 4U1608-522
in The Astrophysical Journal
Bridges J
(2012)
Chondrule fragments from Comet Wild2: Evidence for high temperature processing in the outer Solar System
in Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Badman S
(2012)
Cassini observations of ion and electron beams at Saturn and their relationship to infrared auroral arcs
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Parsons S
(2012)
A precision study of two eclipsing white dwarf plus M dwarf binaries Precise parameters for SDSS J1212-0123 and GK Vir
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Schulze S
(2012)
Galaxy counterparts of intervening high- z sub-DLAs/DLAs and Mg ii absorbers towards gamma-ray bursts
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Bradley Cenko S
(2012)
SWIFT J2058.4+0516: DISCOVERY OF A POSSIBLE SECOND RELATIVISTIC TIDAL DISRUPTION FLARE?
in The Astrophysical Journal
Arridge C
(2012)
Mapping Magnetospheric Equatorial Regions at Saturn from Cassini Prime Mission Observations
in Space Science Reviews
Littlejohns O
(2012)
The origin of the early-time optical emission of Swift GRB 080310? The early-time emission of GRB 080310
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Changela H
(2012)
Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) in Stardust tracks: Constraining the origin of ferric iron-bearing minerals
in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Troja E
(2012)
BROADBAND STUDY OF GRB 091127: A SUB-ENERGETIC BURST AT HIGHER REDSHIFT?
in The Astrophysical Journal
Heil L
(2012)
The ubiquity of the rms-flux relation in black hole X-ray binaries The rms-flux relation in BHBs
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Bufano F
(2012)
THE HIGHLY ENERGETIC EXPANSION OF SN 2010bh ASSOCIATED WITH GRB 100316D
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 |