Astrophysics Research at Liverpool John Moores University
Lead Research Organisation:
Liverpool John Moores University
Department Name: Astrophysics Research Institute
Abstract
We propose to continue our wide-ranging programme of research tackling cutting-edge astrophysical problems. We address two main topics: Explosive Transients (Theme A) and: Galaxies and Active Galactic Nuclei (Theme B). These Themes cover several of the scientific priorities in STFC's strategic plan under their theme Universal Challenges. In Theme A we will study the physics of Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs) - the most powerful explosions in the Universe - and use them as environmental probes. Combining cutting-edge theoretical predictions with novel observational experiments on the world's largest robotic telescopes, we will probe regions of extreme physics to determine the fundamental role of magnetic fields. We will use GRBs to probe the environment of massive stars locally and in the early Universe. We will search for the first electromagnetic counterparts to neutrino bursts predicted to be produced by GRBs, detection of which will revolutionise understanding of relativistic explosions. In a second part of Theme A we will investigate the fundamental properties of both Galactic and extragalactic Recurrent Novae, building on our considerable expertise in this area, focussing on the possibility that these objects are the progenitors of the important Type Ia Supernovae, which have become known as one of the primary probes of the scale and nature of the Universe. Theme B explores how the galaxies around us are formed, and how they then evolve over cosmic time. We will investigate what the properties are of the stellar populations which form in galaxies, when in the history of the galaxies the stars were formed, and how this depends upon the surroundings of the galaxies (e.g. whether they are in clusters or not, whether or not they contain the accreting Supermassive Black Holes which power Active Galactic Nuclei). We will use information from the most powerful ground based telescopes, and from optical, infrared and X-ray telescopes in space, combined with theoretical modeling, in an approach known as 'Galactic Archaeology' to uncover information on how the galaxies were assembled. All of our research uses the most advanced ground-based telescopes (such as our own Liverpool Telescope), satellites and data analysis techniques to carry out observations from gamma rays to radio wavelengths and ARI staff are lead many of the new generation surveys with these telescopes. The projects we propose in both themes are technically demanding and require computer software support to aid the delivery of the science. The structure and organisation of the ARI is designed to deliver internationally excellent research. The ARI is also a major international player in developing and exploiting outreach activities to engage the wider population in our science through the National Schools Observatory and the local astronomy visitor centre, Spaceport.
Publications
Abramowski A
(2012)
THE 2010 VERY HIGH ENERGY ?-RAY FLARE AND 10 YEARS OF MULTI-WAVELENGTH OBSERVATIONS OF M 87
in The Astrophysical Journal
Adelman-McCarthy Jennifer K.
(2008)
The Sixth Data Release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey
in ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT SERIES
Afonso J
(2011)
ULTRA STEEP SPECTRUM RADIO SOURCES IN THE LOCKMAN HOLE: SERVS IDENTIFICATIONS AND REDSHIFT DISTRIBUTION AT THE FAINTEST RADIO FLUXES
in The Astrophysical Journal
Ahnen M
(2018)
Extreme HBL behavior of Markarian 501 during 2012
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Alpaslan M
(2012)
Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA): estimating galaxy group masses via caustic analysis Galaxy group masses via caustic analysis
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Amblard A
(2010)
Herschel -ATLAS: Dust temperature and redshift distribution of SPIRE and PACS detected sources using submillimetre colours
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Anderson L
(2017)
Galactic supernova remnant candidates discovered by THOR
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Ando M
(2010)
DECIGO and DECIGO pathfinder
in Classical and Quantum Gravity
Bachelet E
(2012)
A brown dwarf orbiting an M-dwarf: MOA 2009-BLG-411L
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Bachelet E
(2012)
MOA 2010-BLG-477Lb: CONSTRAINING THE MASS OF A MICROLENSING PLANET FROM MICROLENSING PARALLAX, ORBITAL MOTION, AND DETECTION OF BLENDED LIGHT
in The Astrophysical Journal
Balaguera-Antolínez A
(2012)
Constructing mock catalogues for the REFLEX II galaxy cluster sample Mock catalogues for the REFLEX II sample
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Balaguera-Antolínez A
(2011)
The REFLEX II galaxy cluster survey: power spectrum analysis The REFLEX II power spectrum
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Baldry I
(2010)
Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA): the input catalogue and star-galaxy separation
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Baldry I
(2012)
Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA): the galaxy stellar mass function at z < 0.06 GAMA: the galaxy stellar mass function
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Baldry I
(2018)
Galaxy And Mass Assembly: the G02 field, Herschel-ATLAS target selection and data release 3
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Barbarino C
(2017)
LSQ14efd: observations of the cooling of a shock break-out event in a type Ic Supernova
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Barnes A
(2017)
Star formation rates and efficiencies in the Galactic Centre
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Barnsley R
(2012)
A fully automated data reduction pipeline for the FRODOSpec integral field spectrograph
in Astronomische Nachrichten
Barros S
(2012)
High-precision transit observations of the exoplanet WASP-13b with the RISE instrument Transit observations of WASP-13b
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Barros S
(2011)
A lower mass for the exoplanet WASP-21b A lower mass for the exoplanet WASP-21b
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Batista V
(2011)
MOA-2009-BLG-387Lb: a massive planet orbiting an M dwarf
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Bedin L
(2010)
THE BOTTOM OF THE WHITE DWARF COOLING SEQUENCE IN THE OLD OPEN CLUSTER NGC 2158
in The Astrophysical Journal
Bedin L. R.
(2008)
The puzzling white dwarf cooling sequence in NGC 6791: A simple solution
in ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL LETTERS
Bedin Luigi R.
(2008)
Reaching the end of the white dwarf cooling sequence in NGC 6791
in ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL
Bellini A
(2010)
The end of the white dwarf cooling sequence in M 67
in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Ben-Ami S
(2012)
DISCOVERY AND EARLY MULTI-WAVELENGTH MEASUREMENTS OF THE ENERGETIC TYPE IC SUPERNOVA PTF12GZK: A MASSIVE-STAR EXPLOSION IN A DWARF HOST GALAXY
in The Astrophysical Journal
Bennett D
(2010)
MASSES AND ORBITAL CONSTRAINTS FOR THE OGLE-2006-BLG-109Lb,c JUPITER/SATURN ANALOG PLANETARY SYSTEM
in The Astrophysical Journal
Beuther H
(2017)
Fragmentation and disk formation in high-mass star formation: The ALMA view of G351.77-0.54 at 0.06'' resolution
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Bode M
(2010)
The outbursts of classical and recurrent novae
in Astronomische Nachrichten
Bolton J
(2011)
How neutral is the intergalactic medium surrounding the redshift z = 7.085 quasar ULAS J1120+0641? How neutral is the IGM around J1120+0641?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Bono G
(2013)
On the white dwarf cooling sequence with extremely large telescopes
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Bourne N
(2012)
Herschel?-ATLAS/GAMA: a census of dust in optically selected galaxies from stacking at submillimetre wavelengths H-ATLAS/GAMA: dust in optically selected galaxies
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Bozza V
(2012)
OGLE-2008-BLG-510: first automated real-time detection of a weak microlensing anomaly - brown dwarf or stellar binary?? OGLE-2008-BLG-510 - weak microlensing anomaly
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Bradshaw E
(2011)
Environments of active galactic nuclei at z < 1.5 in the UKIDSS Ultra-Deep Survey AGN environments at z < 1.5 in the UKIDSS UDS
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Breen S
(2018)
The 6-GHz Multibeam Maser Survey - III. Comparison between the MMB and HOPS
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Bretherton C
(2010)
Star-forming galaxies in low-redshift clusters: comparison of integrated properties of cluster and field galaxies
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Brough S
(2011)
Galaxy and Mass Assembly (GAMA): galaxies at the faint end of the Ha luminosity function GAMA: low-Ha-luminosity galaxies
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
Camero-Arranz A
(2012)
X-RAY AND OPTICAL OBSERVATIONS OF A 0535+26
in The Astrophysical Journal
Cano Z
(2011)
XRF 100316D/SN 2010bh AND THE NATURE OF GAMMA-RAY BURST SUPERNOVAE
in The Astrophysical Journal
Cano Z
(2011)
A tale of two GRB-SNe at a common redshift of z=0.54 A tale of two GRB-SNe
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Capasso R.
(2018)
Mass Calibration of the CODEX Cluster Sample using SPIDERS Spectroscopy - I. The Richness-Mass Relation
in arXiv e-prints
Capozzi D
(2010)
The ratio of luminous to faint red-sequence galaxies in X-ray and optically selected low-redshift clusters
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Capozzi D
(2012)
The evolution of K* and the halo occupation distribution since z= 1.5: observations versus simulations The evolution of K* and the HOD since z= 1.5
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Carter D
(2011)
The spatial distribution and origin of the FUV excess in early-type galaxies The FUV excess in early-type galaxies
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Carter David
(2008)
The
Hubble Space Telescope advanced camera for surveys coma cluster survey.: I.: Survey objectives and design
in ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT SERIES
Cassisi S
(2011)
The magnitude difference between the main sequence turn off and the red giant branch bump in Galactic globular clusters
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Cassisi S
(2011)
A CLASSICAL CEPHEID IN A LARGE MAGELLANIC CLOUD ECLIPSING BINARY: EVIDENCE OF SHORTCOMINGS IN CURRENT STELLAR EVOLUTIONARY MODELS?
in The Astrophysical Journal
Description | Discoveries into the evolution of galaxies and stars, their origin and astrophysical processes. |
Exploitation Route | Continue to research into unsolved problems in astrophysics. |
Sectors | Education |
Description | Many outreach activities across all sectors, e.g. Schools, public, policy makers, flower shows |
First Year Of Impact | 2010 |
Sector | Education,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
Impact Types | Cultural,Societal,Economic,Policy & public services |
Description | NSO Presentation in House of Commons |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Description | Consolidated Renewal |
Amount | £1,200,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ST/R000484/1 |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2018 |
End | 03/2021 |
Description | EU Framework Programme |
Amount | £71,038 (GBP) |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 06/2012 |
End | 06/2015 |
Description | EU Framework Programme |
Amount | £29,175 (GBP) |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 06/2011 |
End | 06/2013 |
Description | STFC Large Awards |
Amount | £15,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2011 |
End | 06/2013 |
Description | STFC SiS Fellowships |
Amount | £74,252 (GBP) |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2011 |
End | 10/2013 |
Description | University Widening Access |
Amount | £1,283,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Liverpool John Moores University |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2011 |
End | 09/2017 |
Description | ARI Engagement |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The ARI Outreach team delivers 50 events per year in addition to School based activities. These include, astronomy and science societies and associations, public open events, theatre, street theatre etc..art exhibitions, church societies, cubs, scouts, brownies etc.. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016 |
Description | Input to Parliamentary Inquiry |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Provision of evidence and acting as expert witness for House of Commons S&T Committee Inquiry into astronomy and particle physics. Recommendations in final report supporting the Liverpool Telescope and National Schools' Observatory. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
Description | NSO-Garden Chelsea |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | In 2015 the NSO exhibited a garden called Dark Matter; at the Chelsea Flower Show winning a Gold medal and Best in Class" (Fresh Gardens). The aggregate audience was estimated at 211 million. The garden has an extensive legacy value at the STFC Daresbury Laboratory and is highlighted on the front cover of the 2015 STFC Impact Report. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://www.stfc.ac.uk/files/impact-report-2015/ |
Description | National Schools Observatory |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Enhanced interest and uptake of STEM subjects Each year the NSO delivers just over 40 different events or visits to or involving schools. This reaches a total of about 4,500 pupils per year in about 80 different schools. Increasing schools registration on NSO - more than 4000 currently |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | Pre-2006,2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016 |
URL | http://www.schoolsobservatory.org.uk/ |
Description | National Schools' Observatory in Primary Schools |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Workshop Facilitator |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | 1000 Primary school teachers and their pupils engaged with astronomical research using the Liverpool Telescope and resources of the NSO website. Over all NSO activity (Primary, Secondary, FE) over the period: 30,000 observing requests were delivered and just under 3,000,000 educational webpages viewed. This is in addition to the engagement activity entered into eVal for the previous period. www.schoolsobservatory.org.uk |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011,2012,2013 |
URL | http://www.schoolsobservatory.org.uk |
Description | Press coverage relating to the Liverpool Telescope |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Paper Presentation |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | 12+ significant stories covered by the media through press releases related to the Liverpool Telescope. This is in addition to the outputs reported for the previous period through eVal. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011,2012,2013 |
Description | School and Public Talks |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | 50+ public talks and 200+ schools talks based around science from the Liverpool Telescope. This is in addition to data entered through eVal for the previous period. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011,2012,2013 |
URL | http://www.astro.ljmu.ac.uk/outreach |
Description | TV and radio coverage |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Contributions to TV and radio broadcasts featuring LIverpool Telescope science. Total 20+ in this reporting period. This is in addition to the outputs reported for the previous period through eVal. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011,2012,2013 |
URL | http://www.schoolsobservatory.org.uk |