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
Joyce S
(2018)
The white dwarf mass-radius relation with Gaia, Hubble and FUSE
in Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union
Joyce S
(2018)
The gravitational redshift of Sirius B
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Joyce S
(2018)
Testing the white dwarf mass-radius relation and comparing optical and far-UV spectroscopic results with Gaia DR2, HST and FUSE
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Kangas T
(2020)
The Late-time Afterglow Evolution of Long Gamma-Ray Bursts GRB 160625B and GRB 160509A
in The Astrophysical Journal
Kann D
(2010)
THE AFTERGLOWS OF SWIFT -ERA GAMMA-RAY BURSTS. I. COMPARING PRE- SWIFT AND SWIFT -ERA LONG/SOFT (TYPE II) GRB OPTICAL AFTERGLOWS
in The Astrophysical Journal
Kasliwal MM
(2017)
Illuminating gravitational waves: A concordant picture of photons from a neutron star merger.
in Science (New York, N.Y.)
Kellett S
(2010)
Nature of the ring current in Saturn's dayside magnetosphere
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Kellett S
(2011)
Saturn's ring current: Local time dependence and temporal variability SATURN'S RING CURRENT
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Killestein T
(2021)
Transient-optimized real-bogus classification with Bayesian convolutional neural networks - sifting the GOTO candidate stream
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Klingler N
(2021)
Swift Multiwavelength Follow-up of LVC S200224ca and the Implications for Binary Black Hole Mergers
in The Astrophysical Journal
Kocevski D
(2010)
Limits on radioactive powered emission associated with a short-hard GRB 070724A in a star-forming galaxy Short-hard GRB 070724A
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Kowalski M
(2011)
HIGH-RESOLUTION SPECTROSCOPY OF FEIGE 24 IN THE EXTREME-ULTRAVIOLET
in The Astrophysical Journal
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
Krühler T
(2015)
GRB hosts through cosmic time VLT/X-Shooter emission-line spectroscopy of 96 ? -ray-burst-selected galaxies at 0.1 < z < 3.6??????
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Lallement R
(2011)
High ions towards white dwarfs: circumstellar line shifts and stellar temperature
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Lamb G
(2020)
GRB 170817A as a Refreshed Shock Afterglow Viewed Off-axis
in The Astrophysical Journal
Lamb G
(2021)
Inclination Estimates from Off-Axis GRB Afterglow Modelling
in Universe
Lamb G
(2021)
GRB jet structure and the jet break
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Levan A
(2013)
A NEW POPULATION OF ULTRA-LONG DURATION GAMMA-RAY BURSTS
in The Astrophysical Journal
Levan A
(2014)
HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OBSERVATIONS OF THE AFTERGLOW, SUPERNOVA, AND HOST GALAXY ASSOCIATED WITH THE EXTREMELY BRIGHT GRB 130427A
in The Astrophysical Journal
Levan A
(2017)
The Environment of the Binary Neutron Star Merger GW170817
in The Astrophysical Journal
Levan AJ
(2011)
An extremely luminous panchromatic outburst from the nucleus of a distant galaxy.
in Science (New York, N.Y.)
Lewis G
(2013)
PAndAS IN THE MIST: THE STELLAR AND GASEOUS MASS WITHIN THE HALOS OF M31 AND M33
in The Astrophysical Journal
LIGO Scientific Collaboration And The Virgo Collaboration
(2017)
A gravitational-wave standard siren measurement of the Hubble constant.
in Nature
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
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 |