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
Nayakshin S
(2010)
Simulations of momentum feedback by black hole winds
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Nayakshin S
(2010)
Grain sedimentation inside giant planet embryos Grain sedimentation in giant embryos
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Nayakshin S
(2015)
Tidal Downsizing model - III. Planets from sub-Earths to brown dwarfs: structure and metallicity preferences
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Nayakshin S
(2017)
Dawes Review 7: The Tidal Downsizing Hypothesis of Planet Formation
in Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia
Nayakshin S
(2013)
Hydrogen-losing planets in transition discs around young protostars
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Nayakshin S
(2012)
Quasar feedback: accelerated star formation and chaotic accretion Quasars accelerate star formation
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Nayakshin S
(2012)
Are supermassive black holes shrouded by 'super-Oort' clouds of comets and asteroids? SMBHs and super-Oort clouds
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Nayakshin S
(2013)
Radiative feedback from protoplanets in self-gravitating protoplanetary discs
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Nayakshin S
(2014)
Two-phase model for black hole feeding and feedback
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Nayakshin S
(2012)
THE OBSERVED M -s RELATIONS IMPLY THAT SUPER-MASSIVE BLACK HOLES GROW BY COLD CHAOTIC ACCRETION
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 |