Rolling Grant
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: Mullard Space Science Laboratory
Abstract
A Rolling Grant is designed to support a programme of research within a particular domain. The domain in this case is Space Science, in particular the fields of: 1. Compact Objects (Black Holes and Neutron Stars, seeking to understand the physics associated with the enormously compact objects. this includes studying Gamma-ray bursts (giant supernovae in distant galaxies), isolated neutron stars including those with gigantic magnetic fields, and black holes); 2. Galaxy Formation and Evolution (Understanding these processes using extremely sophisticated computer modelling techniques. Looking at the role of Active Galactic Nuclei, the history of star formation and the role of feedback) 3. Magnetic Coupling and the Heliosphere (The emergence of magnetic field structures on the Sun, how solar eruptions are triggered, the creation of the Solar Wind and how it affects the Earth); 4. Plasma Physics of the Terrestrial and Planetary Environments (The Earth and some other planets are surrounded and protected by magnetic fields which provide a local laboratory for fundamental research into how charged particles interact with complex magnetic field structures. Through the use of in-situ space probes we will study these processes to gain a fuller understanding of this important physics. Many solar system bodies do not have a protective magnetic field and so we will also study the these interactions, especially planets and moons with an atmospheres (e.g. Mars and Titan)); 5. Planetary Surfaces (The surfaces of planets, particularly Mars, provide interesting and alternative geological and meteorological settings to the Earth. We plan to use the plethora of observational data available from currently orbiting spacecraft to study in great detail these terrains). 6. Enabling technologies (Miniature, very low temperature coolers, auroral imagers and plasma analysers will be developed. New methods of constructing 3-dimensional models of planetary surfaces will be produced. A study will be made (with impact trials) of the survivability of an instrumented penetrator into ice at around 700 miles per hour).
Organisations
Publications
Soffitta P
(2013)
XIPE: the X-ray imaging polarimetry explorer
in Experimental Astronomy
Pancrazi B
(2012)
X-ray follow-up observations of the two ? -ray pulsars PSR J1459-6053 and PSR J1614-2230
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Esposito P
(2013)
X-ray and radio observations of the magnetar Swift J1834.9-0846 and its dust-scattering halo
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Tiengo A
(2011)
X-ray and optical observations of the closest isolated radio pulsar? X-ray and optical search for PSR J2144-3933
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Juneau S
(2013)
WIDESPREAD AND HIDDEN ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI IN STAR-FORMING GALAXIES AT REDSHIFT >0.3
in The Astrophysical Journal
Mignani R
(2011)
VLT/FORS2 observations of the optical counterpart of the isolated neutron star RBS 1774
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Mignani R
(2011)
VLT observations of the two Fermi pulsars PSR J1357-6429 and PSR J1048-5832
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Mignani R
(2011)
VLT observations of the candidate counterpart to PSR J0108-1431
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Mignani R
(2012)
VLT and Suzaku observations of the Fermi pulsar PSR J1028-5819
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Liu P
(2013)
Using advanced InSAR time series techniques to monitor landslide movements in Badong of the Three Gorges region, China
in International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation
Description | Significant improved understanding in the fields of astrophysics, space plasma physics, solar physics, planetary sciences and instrumentation |
Exploitation Route | Through peer reviewed publications |
Sectors | Other |
Description | Consolidated Grants |
Amount | £2,537,157 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ST/N000722/1 |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2016 |
End | 03/2019 |
Description | Consolidated Grants |
Amount | £1,138,583 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ST/N000811/1 |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2016 |
End | 03/2019 |
Description | STFC Consolidated Grant |
Amount | £2,145,073 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ST/K000977/1 |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2013 |
End | 03/2017 |
Title | Cryogenic system elements |
Description | Elements of millK Adiabatic Demagnetisation Refrigerators including heatswitches and magnets. Magnets, cryogenics, vacuum |
Type Of Technology | Systems, Materials & Instrumental Engineering |
Year Produced | 2011 |
Impact | Development will lead to minaturization of coolers which will make them more suitable for space and ground-based applications |