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
Kaastra JS
(2014)
Active galaxies. A fast and long-lived outflow from the supermassive black hole in NGC 5548.
in Science (New York, N.Y.)
Lavvas P
(2013)
Aerosol growth in Titan's ionosphere.
in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Berthomier M
(2011)
Alfvén: magnetosphere-ionosphere connection explorers
in Experimental Astronomy
Marklund GT
(2011)
Altitude distribution of the auroral acceleration potential determined from cluster satellite data at different heights.
in Physical review letters
Miller-Jones J
(2011)
An accurate position for the black hole candidate XTE J1752-223: re-interpretation of the VLBI data Astrometry of XTE J1752-223
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Walsh A
(2013)
An indication of the existence of a solar wind strahl at 10 AU
in Geophysical Research Letters
Prise A
(2013)
An Investigation of the CME of 3 November 2011 and Its Associated Widespread Solar Energetic Particle Event
in Solar Physics
Matthews S
(2011)
ANATOMY OF A SOLAR FLARE: MEASUREMENTS OF THE 2006 DECEMBER 14 X-CLASS FLARE WITH GONG, HINODE , AND RHESSI
in The Astrophysical Journal
Gow J
(2012)
Assessment of space proton radiation-induced charge transfer inefficiency in the CCD204 for the Euclid space observatory
in Journal of Instrumentation
Cousins CR
(2010)
Astrobiological considerations for the selection of the geological filters on the ExoMars PanCam instrument.
in Astrobiology
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 |