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
Lyman J
(2014)
The progenitors of calcium-rich transients are not formed in situ*
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Lyons N
(2010)
Can X-ray emission powered by a spinning-down magnetar explain some gamma-ray burst light-curve features?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Mackey A
(2010)
Deep Gemini/GMOS imaging of an extremely isolated globular cluster in the Local Group
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Mackey A
(2013)
Young accreted globular clusters in the outer halo of M31
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Mackey A
(2010)
EVIDENCE FOR AN ACCRETION ORIGIN FOR THE OUTER HALO GLOBULAR CLUSTER SYSTEM OF M31
in The Astrophysical Journal
Makrygianni L
(2021)
Processing GOTO survey data with the Rubin Observatory LSST Science Pipelines II: Forced Photometry and lightcurves
in Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia
Marshall F
(2011)
THE LATE PEAKING AFTERGLOW OF GRB 100418A
in The Astrophysical Journal
Martin N
(2014)
THE PAndAS FIELD OF STREAMS: STELLAR STRUCTURES IN THE MILKY WAY HALO TOWARD ANDROMEDA AND TRIANGULUM
in The Astrophysical Journal
Maselli A
(2014)
GRB 130427A: a nearby ordinary monster.
in Science (New York, N.Y.)
Mateos S
(2010)
The XMM- Newton Wide Angle Survey (XWAS): the X-ray spectrum of type-1 AGN
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
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
Maxted P
(2011)
Discovery of a stripped red giant core in a bright eclipsing binary system? J0247-25
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Melandri A
(2014)
Diversity of gamma-ray burst energetics vs. supernova homogeneity: SN 2013cq associated with GRB 130427A
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
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
Michalowski M
(2015)
Massive stars formed in atomic hydrogen reservoirs: H I observations of gamma-ray burst host galaxies
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Milillo A
(2010)
The BepiColombo mission: An outstanding tool for investigating the Hermean environment
in Planetary and Space Science
Miller JM
(2015)
Flows of X-ray gas reveal the disruption of a star by a massive black hole.
in Nature
Mineo T.
(2007)
GRB 050410 and GRB 050412: are they really dark gamma-ray bursts?
in ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS
Montegriffo P.
(2022)
Gaia Data Release 3: External calibration of BP/RP low-resolution spectroscopic data
in arXiv e-prints
Motch C
(2010)
The X-ray source content of the XMM-Newton Galactic plane survey
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Nandra K
(2011)
GRAVITAS: general relativistic astrophysics via timing and spectroscopy
in Experimental Astronomy
Nardini E
(2015)
Black hole feedback in the luminous quasar PDS 456
in Science
Nativi L
(2022)
Are interactions with neutron star merger winds shaping the jets?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Nayakshin S
(2020)
The paradox of youth for ALMA planet candidates
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Nayakshin S
(2011)
The tidal downsizing hypothesis for planet formation and the composition of Solar system comets
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
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 |