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).

Publications

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Martel H (2013) The connection between star formation and metallicity evolution in barred spiral galaxies in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

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Masters A (2012) Surface waves on Saturn's magnetopause in Planetary and Space Science

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Masters A (2011) Saturn's low-latitude boundary layer: 2. Electron structure SATURN'S LLBL ELECTRON STRUCTURE in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics

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Masters A (2011) Electron heating at Saturn's bow shock ELECTRON HEATING AT SATURN'S BOW SHOCK in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics

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Mehdipour, M.,Branduardi-Raymont, G.,Kaastra, J. S.,Petrucci, P. O.,Kriss, G. A.,Ponti, G.,Blustin, A. J.,Paltani, S.,Cappi, M.,Detmers, R. G.,Steenbrugge, K. C. (2011) Multiwavelength campaign on Mrk 509 IV. Optical-UV-X-ray variability and the nature of the soft X-ray excess in Astronomy & Astrophysics

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Menietti J (2011) Ion cyclotron harmonics in the Saturn downward current auroral region BRIEF REPORT in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics

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Mereghetti S (2011) Two magnetars: SGR 1627-41 and 1E 1547-5408 in Advances in Space Research

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Michael M (2011) High-altitude charged aerosols in the atmosphere of Titan in Planetary and Space Science

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Middelberg E (2010) The radio properties of infrared-faint radio sources in Astronomy & Astrophysics

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Mignani R (2011) Optical, ultraviolet, and infrared observations of isolated neutron stars in Advances in Space Research

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Mignani R (2012) VLT and Suzaku observations of the Fermi pulsar PSR J1028-5819 in Astronomy & Astrophysics

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Mignani R (2012) The near-infrared detection of PSR B0540-69 and its nebula in Astronomy & Astrophysics

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Mignani R (2011) VLT observations of the candidate counterpart to PSR J0108-1431 in Astronomy & Astrophysics

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Mignani R (2013) Infrared observations of the candidate double neutron star system PSR  J1811-1736 in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

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Mignani R (2013) The birthplace and age of the isolated neutron star RX J1856.5-3754 in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

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Mignani R (2013) Deep optical observations of the ?-ray pulsar PSR J0007+7303 in the CTA 1 supernova remnant in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

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Mollá M (2015) Galactic chemical evolution: stellar yields and the initial mass function in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

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Moran P (2013) Optical polarimetry of the inner Crab nebula and pulsar in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

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Nakamura R (2013) Flow bouncing and electron injection observed by Cluster in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics

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Nebot Gómez-Morán A (2013) The XMM-Newton SSC survey of the Galactic plane in Astronomy & Astrophysics

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Nobili L (2011) Magnetar spectra and twisted magnetospheres in Advances in Space Research

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Németh Z (2011) Ion distributions of different Kronian plasma regions ION DISTRIBUTIONS OF KRONIAN PLASMA in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics

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Oates S (2012) Multiwavelength observations of the Type IIb supernova 2009mg? Type IIb SN 2009mg in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

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Oliver S (2012) The Herschel Multi-tiered Extragalactic Survey: HerMES HerMES in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

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Ozak N (2012) Modeling of electron fluxes in the Enceladus plume in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics

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Page M (2011) The nature of X-ray-absorbed quasi-stellar objects The nature of X-ray-absorbed QSOs in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

 
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