Accretion, Structure and Evolution in Gravitating Systems
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leicester
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
We propose to undertake a broad programme of research in theoretical astrophysics. This research will be centered around accretion, structure and evolution in many astrophysical systems. Accretion is the process whereby a massive, gravitating body accumulates mass from its surroundings. As the mass falls towards the body it can give up energy in the form of heat and light. Accretion onto a black hole is the most efficient way of extracting energy from normal matter. Astrophysical systems powered by accretion are among the luminous in the universe. Gravity not only powers these systems but determines their large-scale structure and long term evolution. The systems we aim to study cover many length scales, from compact binary star systems which would happily fit inside the Sun to colliding galaxies which consist of many billions of Sun-like stars. We will investigate the nature of the non-luminous, dark matter which constitutes about 90 per cent of the mass of our Galaxy, the Milky Way. Our work will also improve our understanding of how the Milky Way was formed and how it has slowly changed over the past 10 billion years.
Publications
Nixon C
(2012)
TEARING UP THE DISK: HOW BLACK HOLES ACCRETE
in The Astrophysical Journal
Nixon C
(2013)
DO JETS PRECESS OR EVEN MOVE AT ALL?
in The Astrophysical Journal
Norris J
(2010)
CHEMICAL ENRICHMENT IN THE FAINTEST GALAXIES: THE CARBON AND IRON ABUNDANCE SPREADS IN THE BOÖTES I DWARF SPHEROIDAL GALAXY AND THE SEGUE 1 SYSTEM
in The Astrophysical Journal
Pasetto S
(2010)
Isolated dwarf galaxies: from cuspy to flat dark matter density profiles and metalicity gradients
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Pounds K
(2013)
The shocked outflow in NGC 4051 - momentum-driven feedback, ultrafast outflows and warm absorbers
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Power C
(2011)
The accretion disc particle method for simulations of black hole feeding and feedback The accretion disc particle method
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Power C
(2011)
Self-regulated star formation and the black hole-galaxy bulge relation SMBH-bulge relation
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Power C
(2013)
FEEDBACK FROM HIGH-MASS X-RAY BINARIES ON THE HIGH-REDSHIFT INTERGALACTIC MEDIUM: MODEL SPECTRA
in The Astrophysical Journal
Roberts T
(2012)
A VARIABLE ULTRALUMINOUS X-RAY SOURCE IN A GLOBULAR CLUSTER IN NGC 4649
in The Astrophysical Journal
Salucci P
(2012)
Dwarf spheroidal galaxy kinematics and spiral galaxy scaling laws DSph galaxy kinematics and spiral galaxy scaling laws
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Schönrich R
(2010)
Local kinematics and the local standard of rest
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Strader J
(2012)
DEEP CHANDRA MONITORING OBSERVATIONS OF NGC 4649. II. WIDE-FIELD HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE IMAGING OF THE GLOBULAR CLUSTERS
in The Astrophysical Journal
Tanvir N
(2012)
The structure of star clusters in the outer halo of M31 Halo star clusters of M31
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Ural U
(2010)
Kinematic subpopulations in dwarf spheroidal galaxies
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Ural U
(2015)
An inefficient dwarf: chemical abundances and the evolution of the Ursa Minor dwarf spheroidal galaxy
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Walker M
(2011)
DARK MATTER IN THE CLASSICAL DWARF SPHEROIDAL GALAXIES: A ROBUST CONSTRAINT ON THE ASTROPHYSICAL FACTOR FOR ?-RAY FLUX CALCULATIONS
in The Astrophysical Journal
Wilkinson M
(2013)
DiRAC Day 2013
in Astronomy & Geophysics
Woudt P
(2012)
CC Sculptoris: a superhumping intermediate polar CC Sculptoris: a superhumping intermediate polar
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Zubovas K
(2013)
Outflows of stars due to quasar feedback
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Zubovas K
(2012)
CLEARING OUT A GALAXY
in The Astrophysical Journal
Zubovas K
(2012)
Sgr A* flares: tidal disruption of asteroids and planets? Sgr A* flares: tidal disruption of asteroids?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Zubovas K
(2013)
SUPERNOVAE IN THE CENTRAL PARSEC: A MECHANISM FOR PRODUCING SPATIALLY ANISOTROPIC HYPERVELOCITY STARS
in The Astrophysical Journal
Zubovas K
(2012)
Fermi bubbles in the Milky Way: the closest AGN feedback laboratory courtesy of Sgr A*? Fermi bubbles: Sgr A* AGN feedback?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Zubovas K
(2012)
The M -s relation in different environments The M -s relation in different environments
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Zubovas K
(2011)
The Milky Way's Fermi bubbles: echoes of the last quasar outburst? The Milky Way's quasar outburst
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Zubovas K
(2014)
Galaxy-wide outflows: cold gas and star formation at high speeds
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Zubovas K
(2013)
AGN outflows trigger starbursts in gas-rich galaxies
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Zubovas K
(2013)
BAL QSOs AND EXTREME UFOs: THE EDDINGTON CONNECTION
in The Astrophysical Journal
Description | DiRAC2: Recurrent Costs for 100 Tflop/s HPC cluster |
Amount | £391,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ST/K003259/1 |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2012 |
End | 01/2016 |
Description | DiRAC |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Department | Distributed Research Utilising Advanced Computing |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | I am the PI for two research grants for the procurement and running of the Complexity@DiRAC High Performance Computing cluster at the University of Leicester. This cluster is now in active operation as a national HPC facility. |
Collaborator Contribution | DiRAC is the facility which provides HPC resources for the theoretical astrophysics and particle physics communities within STFC. |
Impact | The establishment and running of a new HPC cluster at the University of Leicester as part of the DiRAC national facility. |
Start Year | 2011 |
Description | Astronomy Ireland |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I spoke to about 100 people at the Astronomy Ireland meeting in November 2013 in Trinity College Dublin. My talk was very well received and I have been invited to give another talk to this audience at a later date. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
URL | http://www.astronomy.ie/lecture201311.php |
Description | BBC Stargazing Live |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Presentations as part of the BBC Stargazing Live at the National Space Centre and at the University of Leicester, attended by approximately 50 people (2011), 50 people (2012), 300 people (2013), 100 people (2014). The presentation generated lots of questions and discussion from the audience. Local schools had an opportunity to visit the University which is good for inclusivity. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011,2012,2013,2014 |
Description | Cafe Scientifique |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I spoke to the Nottingham Cafe Scientifique about various aspects of the research that myself and others are doing with DiRAC. About 40 people attended. I gave a 25 minute presentation which was followed by more than an hour of questions and discussion. One audience member wrote a blog piece about my talk. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | http://nottinghamscience.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/talk-building-galaxies-in-office.html |
Description | Royal Society Summer Exhibition |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Over the course of the four day, more than 600 people attended my talks. The Friday evening presentation was followed by more than an hour of audience questions. Several audience members contacted me to ask additional questions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | School Visit (Dublin) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Approximately 90 primary school students (3 classes) aged 8-12 years old attended my talks in Rathfarnham Parish National School. Following my visit, a number of students expressed interest in pursuing a career in science. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Secular Society |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Spoke to about 50 members of the Leicester Secular Society. My talk generated considerable discussion among the members of the LSS. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
URL | http://www.leicestersecularsociety.org.uk/calendar/view_entry.php?id=1145&date=20121209 |