HPC Resources for Theoretical Astrophysics at the University of Leicester
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leicester
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
Accretion on to a black hole is the most efficient way of extracting energy from conventional matter. Gravitational energy thus powers the most luminous objects in the Universe. At the same time, gravity's cumulative nature gives it a decisive role in determining the structure and evolution of matter at all scales. The theoretical understanding of these twin aspects -- accretion, and the structure and evolution of the parent systems -- are the key theme of our research, in various cosmic contexts. On the smallest scale, close binary systems containing black holes offer a highly tractable route to studying accretion processes such as disc formation and stability. But it is important also to understand the long--term evolution of these binaries themselves, and the standard and ultraluminous X--ray populations of other galaxies. Similarly, astronomers want to understand how accretion on to supermassive black holes (SMBH) powers active galactic nuclei (AGN). But they also wish to know how these objects fit into the general picture of galaxy structure and formation. Gamma--ray bursts (GRBs) offer another example where the study of accretion processes is closely linked to understanding the host galaxy, and stellar and binary evolution within it. Dark matter provides the potential wells within which structures form and evolve and we therefore need to understand its physical properties in order to have a complete theory of structure formation in the Universe. We study all of these objects theoretically, and our emphasis has shifted strongly towards supermassive/extra\-galactic systems over the last decade.
Organisations
Publications
Quinn D
(2009)
On the reported death of the MACHO era
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Power C
(2009)
Primordial globular clusters, X-ray binaries and cosmological reionization
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Feltzing S
(2009)
Evidence of enrichment by individual SN from elemental abundance ratios in the very metal-poor dSph galaxy Boötes I
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Koch A
(2009)
A SPECTROSCOPIC CONFIRMATION OF THE BOOTES II DWARF SPHEROIDAL
in The Astrophysical Journal
Adén D
(2009)
A NEW LOW MASS FOR THE HERCULES dSph: THE END OF A COMMON MASS SCALE FOR THE DWARFS?
in The Astrophysical Journal
Donato F
(2009)
A constant dark matter halo surface density in galaxies
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Adén D
(2009)
A photometric and spectroscopic study of the new dwarf spheroidal galaxy in Hercules Metallicity, velocities, and a clean list of RGB members
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Fellhauer M
(2009)
Merging time-scales of stellar subclumps in young star-forming regions
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Nayakshin S
(2009)
Competitive feedback in galaxy formation
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Adén D
(2010)
An abundance study of red-giant-branch stars in the Hercules dwarf spheroidal galaxy
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
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 | 04/2012 |
End | 01/2016 |
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 |