IoA Theoretical and X-ray Astronomy consolidation
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Institute of Astronomy
Abstract
This proposal is for an interim grant to support research in Theoretical Astrophysics and X-ray Astronomy at the Institute of Astronomy (IoA), as part of a transition to a fully consolidated IoA Astronomy grant proposal in 2012.
The Theory theme addresses a wide range of astrophysical phenomena ranging from the origin of the Universe itself to the formation and evolution of galaxies, stars and planets. One of the main areas of investigation is cosmology. Members of the IoA are playing a leading role in the European Space Agency Planck mission, and will lead a definitive determination of the cosmological parameters including the age, size, dark matter, dark energy and baryonic contents of the Universe. Another project will carry out theoretical simulations and analysis of the subsequent evolution of cosmic structure during the epoch of reionisation, when the first stars and galaxies were formed.
Star formation is another major focus of the grant, on scales ranging from galaxies, where the molecular clouds giving birth to stars are formed, to the formation of stars and star clusters within these molecular clouds. These investigations will combine state-of-the-art numerical simulations with analytical theory and a rich new set of multi-wavelength observations of nearby galaxies being obtained with the Herschel and Spitzer space observatories under IoA leadership.
The understanding of planetary systems around stars and their formation is another goal of the Theory theme. One project will focus on modelling the properties of debris discs, discs of asteroids, cometary objects, and dust surrounding stars, using a complete IoA-led survey of nearby stars with the Herschel observatory (DEBRIS project). Another project is directed at modelling the evolution of the planetary orbits themselves in different stellar environments and stellar evolutionary stages.
The final component of the Theoretical Astronomy theme is the modelling of binary star systems, and improving our understanding of how double star systems evolve when the component stars are immersed in a common envelope. This phase of evolution is important for understanding a wide range of observed stellar systems including cataclysmic variables, X-ray binaries, and the progenitors of supernovae, including the Type Ia supernovae which are used as cosmological standard candles.
The second theme of the proposal is X-ray Astronomy. The research will exploit a large body of observations of galaxies, galaxy clusters, and Galactic X-ray binary systems being obtained by the X-ray group on the Chandra, XMM-Newton, Suzaku and ASTRO-H X-ray observatories to carry out three projects.
One project will carry out measurements of the spin of black holes, both the supermassive black holes which power the enormous energy emissions from quasars and other active galactic nuclei, and the stellar-mass black holes in binary star systems. This work, based on spectroscopy of relativistically-broadened iron lines, will also provide insights into the accretion phenomena that power the systems.
Another project will combine deep X-ray imaging and spectroscopy of the cores of galaxy clusters to study the physical conditions, turbulence, and acoustic waves and shocks in the intracluster medium, and constrain the physical nature of the feedback of radiative and mechanical energy from the galaxies in the cores of the cluster and the surrounding intergalactic gas in the clusters.
A related project will combine these X-ray data with multi-wavelength measurements of the intergalactic filaments and other gas components in the clusters, to understand the feedback processes linking cooling of intergalactic gas into the central galaxies and the subsequent heating of the surroundings by the central galaxies and their embedded black holes.
The Theory theme addresses a wide range of astrophysical phenomena ranging from the origin of the Universe itself to the formation and evolution of galaxies, stars and planets. One of the main areas of investigation is cosmology. Members of the IoA are playing a leading role in the European Space Agency Planck mission, and will lead a definitive determination of the cosmological parameters including the age, size, dark matter, dark energy and baryonic contents of the Universe. Another project will carry out theoretical simulations and analysis of the subsequent evolution of cosmic structure during the epoch of reionisation, when the first stars and galaxies were formed.
Star formation is another major focus of the grant, on scales ranging from galaxies, where the molecular clouds giving birth to stars are formed, to the formation of stars and star clusters within these molecular clouds. These investigations will combine state-of-the-art numerical simulations with analytical theory and a rich new set of multi-wavelength observations of nearby galaxies being obtained with the Herschel and Spitzer space observatories under IoA leadership.
The understanding of planetary systems around stars and their formation is another goal of the Theory theme. One project will focus on modelling the properties of debris discs, discs of asteroids, cometary objects, and dust surrounding stars, using a complete IoA-led survey of nearby stars with the Herschel observatory (DEBRIS project). Another project is directed at modelling the evolution of the planetary orbits themselves in different stellar environments and stellar evolutionary stages.
The final component of the Theoretical Astronomy theme is the modelling of binary star systems, and improving our understanding of how double star systems evolve when the component stars are immersed in a common envelope. This phase of evolution is important for understanding a wide range of observed stellar systems including cataclysmic variables, X-ray binaries, and the progenitors of supernovae, including the Type Ia supernovae which are used as cosmological standard candles.
The second theme of the proposal is X-ray Astronomy. The research will exploit a large body of observations of galaxies, galaxy clusters, and Galactic X-ray binary systems being obtained by the X-ray group on the Chandra, XMM-Newton, Suzaku and ASTRO-H X-ray observatories to carry out three projects.
One project will carry out measurements of the spin of black holes, both the supermassive black holes which power the enormous energy emissions from quasars and other active galactic nuclei, and the stellar-mass black holes in binary star systems. This work, based on spectroscopy of relativistically-broadened iron lines, will also provide insights into the accretion phenomena that power the systems.
Another project will combine deep X-ray imaging and spectroscopy of the cores of galaxy clusters to study the physical conditions, turbulence, and acoustic waves and shocks in the intracluster medium, and constrain the physical nature of the feedback of radiative and mechanical energy from the galaxies in the cores of the cluster and the surrounding intergalactic gas in the clusters.
A related project will combine these X-ray data with multi-wavelength measurements of the intergalactic filaments and other gas components in the clusters, to understand the feedback processes linking cooling of intergalactic gas into the central galaxies and the subsequent heating of the surroundings by the central galaxies and their embedded black holes.
Planned Impact
The main societal impacts of this research are in the areas of public engagement and inspiration of future young scientists. Many of the proposed projects are coupled to high-profile missions and investigations,
which will impact the public through press and image releases, public lectures, interviews with the print, radio, and television media, popular articles and books, and formally organised outreach activities.
Projects which are sure to produce high-impact science in the public area include the announcement of first full results on cosmological parameters from the ESA Planck mission in early 2013, work on deep X-ray imaging and spectroscopy of clusters with the XMM-Newton and Chandra missions, and the interpretations of data from the Herschel Space Observatory on star formation in galaxies and debris discs. The Co-Applicants and their collaborators have established a heritage of high-visibility results in these and related areas, and will coordinate closely with media and outreach offices of the STFC, ESA, and relevant mission offices.
The Institute of Astronomy fully embraces the outreach agenda of the STFC, and the research activities in the Theoretical Astronomy and X-ray Astronomy themes form core components feeding these activities. Impacts will arise from a combination of IoA-organised efforts and individual activities by the Co-Applicants and PDRAs.
The wide range of outreach activity is made possible by the critical mass of astronomy activity at IoA and through contributions from our major research grants and from Departmental resources. These include weekly public evening lectures and (weather permitting) observing sessions in the winter which attract more than 1500 people per year, an annual open day which attracts comparable numbers in a single afternoon and evening, one-day schools workshops, on-line newsletters, podcasts, and an informal website, and an Artist-in-Residence programme.
Virtually every Co-Applicant and PDRA also undertakes public engagement and outreach activities individually, and many (e.g., Crawford, Efstathiou, Fabian, Kennicutt, Rees) have engaged in scores of activities over the past five years, via named and national public lectures, speaking at national amateur astronomy meetings and festivals, radio and television interviews and programmes, and by writing popular articles and books. Worth of special mention is the recent work by Fabian with the STFC in developing a booklet "A New View of the Universe: Big Science for a Big Society" which presents the scientific and Council objectives for astronomy in the coming decade, and documents the many broader economic and societal impacts of astronomy, ranging from technology transfer (e.g., WIFI, GPS, detectors, adaptive optics) to major societal priorities (e.g., climate change, energy sustainability). Co-Applicant C. Crawford, in addition to leading the IoA outreach programme, is an active spokesperson for astronomy in her own right, and in 2009 was received a UKRC Woman of Outstanding Achievement award in recognition of her work in fostering engagement between scientists and the public. Last but hardly least Co-Applicant and Astronomer Royal M. Rees continues to serve as one of the UK's leaders in the scientific community, and has engaged with the public on countless occasions through books and popular articles, public lectures, and most recently through is service as President of the Royal Society.
The effectiveness of this collection of activities owes much of its success to the work of the IoA Outreach Officer, Co-Applicant Carolin Crawford. This work is supported by an 0.5 FTE appointment, and this proposal requests funding for 40% of this work (0.2 FTE), which we estimate represents the fraction of activities relating to the work of the Applicants and PDRAs on this grant.
which will impact the public through press and image releases, public lectures, interviews with the print, radio, and television media, popular articles and books, and formally organised outreach activities.
Projects which are sure to produce high-impact science in the public area include the announcement of first full results on cosmological parameters from the ESA Planck mission in early 2013, work on deep X-ray imaging and spectroscopy of clusters with the XMM-Newton and Chandra missions, and the interpretations of data from the Herschel Space Observatory on star formation in galaxies and debris discs. The Co-Applicants and their collaborators have established a heritage of high-visibility results in these and related areas, and will coordinate closely with media and outreach offices of the STFC, ESA, and relevant mission offices.
The Institute of Astronomy fully embraces the outreach agenda of the STFC, and the research activities in the Theoretical Astronomy and X-ray Astronomy themes form core components feeding these activities. Impacts will arise from a combination of IoA-organised efforts and individual activities by the Co-Applicants and PDRAs.
The wide range of outreach activity is made possible by the critical mass of astronomy activity at IoA and through contributions from our major research grants and from Departmental resources. These include weekly public evening lectures and (weather permitting) observing sessions in the winter which attract more than 1500 people per year, an annual open day which attracts comparable numbers in a single afternoon and evening, one-day schools workshops, on-line newsletters, podcasts, and an informal website, and an Artist-in-Residence programme.
Virtually every Co-Applicant and PDRA also undertakes public engagement and outreach activities individually, and many (e.g., Crawford, Efstathiou, Fabian, Kennicutt, Rees) have engaged in scores of activities over the past five years, via named and national public lectures, speaking at national amateur astronomy meetings and festivals, radio and television interviews and programmes, and by writing popular articles and books. Worth of special mention is the recent work by Fabian with the STFC in developing a booklet "A New View of the Universe: Big Science for a Big Society" which presents the scientific and Council objectives for astronomy in the coming decade, and documents the many broader economic and societal impacts of astronomy, ranging from technology transfer (e.g., WIFI, GPS, detectors, adaptive optics) to major societal priorities (e.g., climate change, energy sustainability). Co-Applicant C. Crawford, in addition to leading the IoA outreach programme, is an active spokesperson for astronomy in her own right, and in 2009 was received a UKRC Woman of Outstanding Achievement award in recognition of her work in fostering engagement between scientists and the public. Last but hardly least Co-Applicant and Astronomer Royal M. Rees continues to serve as one of the UK's leaders in the scientific community, and has engaged with the public on countless occasions through books and popular articles, public lectures, and most recently through is service as President of the Royal Society.
The effectiveness of this collection of activities owes much of its success to the work of the IoA Outreach Officer, Co-Applicant Carolin Crawford. This work is supported by an 0.5 FTE appointment, and this proposal requests funding for 40% of this work (0.2 FTE), which we estimate represents the fraction of activities relating to the work of the Applicants and PDRAs on this grant.
Organisations
Publications
Bonvin C
(2012)
Magnetic fields from inflation: The transition to the radiation era
in Physical Review D
Mustill A
(2013)
Main-sequence progenitor configurations of the NN Ser candidate circumbinary planetary system are dynamically unstable
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
North P
(2012)
Manganese in dwarf spheroidal galaxies
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Galametz M
(2012)
Mapping the cold dust temperatures and masses of nearby KINGFISH galaxies with Herschel Mapping the cold dust properties with Herschel
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
An J
(2012)
Mass estimators in the Gaia era Mass estimators in the Gaia era
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Russell H
(2014)
MASSIVE MOLECULAR GAS FLOWS IN THE A1664 BRIGHTEST CLUSTER GALAXY
in The Astrophysical Journal
Bird S
(2012)
Massive neutrinos and the non-linear matter power spectrum The matter power with neutrinos
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Brenneman L
(2014)
MEASURING THE CORONAL PROPERTIES OF IC 4329A WITH NuSTAR
in The Astrophysical Journal
Worley C
(2012)
Medium-Resolution
s-process Element Survey of 47 Tuc Giant Stars
Worley C
(2013)
Medium-Resolution s -process Element Survey of 47 Tuc Giant Stars
in Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia
MacGregor M
(2013)
MILLIMETER EMISSION STRUCTURE IN THE FIRST ALMA IMAGE OF THE AU Mic DEBRIS DISK
in The Astrophysical Journal
Aniano G
(2012)
MODELING DUST AND STARLIGHT IN GALAXIES OBSERVED BY SPITZER AND HERSCHEL : NGC 628 AND NGC 6946
in The Astrophysical Journal
Weisz D
(2012)
MODELING THE EFFECTS OF STAR FORMATION HISTORIES ON Ha AND ULTRAVIOLET FLUXES IN NEARBY DWARF GALAXIES
in The Astrophysical Journal
Cackett E
(2014)
Modelling the broad Fe Ka reverberation in the AGN NGC 4151
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Nicuesa Guelbenzu A
(2012)
Multi-color observations of short GRB afterglows: 20 events observed between 2007 and 2010
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Tremblay G
(2012)
Multiphase signatures of active galactic nucleus feedback in Abell 2597 AGN feedback in Abell 2597
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Voyatzis G
(2013)
Multiplanet destabilization and escape in post-main-sequence systems
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Pinto C
(2012)
Multiwavelength campaign on Mrk 509 IX. The Galactic foreground
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Kaastra J
(2012)
Multiwavelength campaign on Mrk 509 VIII. Location of the X-ray absorber
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Ponti G
(2012)
Multiwavelength campaign on Mrk 509 XI. Reverberation of the Fe K a line
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Arav N
(2012)
Multiwavelength campaign on Mrk 509 X. Lower limit on the distance of the absorber from HST COS and STIS spectroscopy
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Church R
(2013)
N -body Simulations with Live Stellar Evolution
in Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia
Audren B
(2013)
Neutrino masses and cosmological parameters from a Euclid-like survey: Markov Chain Monte Carlo forecasts including theoretical errors
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Venn K
(2012)
NUCLEOSYNTHESIS AND THE INHOMOGENEOUS CHEMICAL EVOLUTION OF THE CARINA DWARF GALAXY
in The Astrophysical Journal
Miller J
(2013)
NuSTAR SPECTROSCOPY OF GRS 1915+105: DISK REFLECTION, SPIN, AND CONNECTIONS TO JETS
in The Astrophysical Journal
Fabian A
(2012)
Observational Evidence of Active Galactic Nuclei Feedback
in Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics
Berry C
(2013)
Observing the Galaxy's massive black hole with gravitational wave bursts
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Relaño M
(2012)
On how leakage can affect the star formation rate estimation using Ha luminosity Leakage effect on SFR estimates
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Fabian A
(2014)
On the determination of the spin and disc truncation of accreting black holes using X-ray reflection
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Fabian A
(2012)
On the determination of the spin of the black hole in Cyg X-1 from X-ray reflection spectra Reflection and spin in Cyg X-1
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Hlavacek-Larrondo J
(2012)
On the hunt for ultramassive black holes in brightest cluster galaxies UMBHs in BCGs
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Bolton J
(2013)
On the rapid demise of Ly a emitters at redshift z ? 7 due to the increasing incidence of optically thick absorption systems
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Miller J
(2012)
ON THE ROLE OF THE ACCRETION DISK IN BLACK HOLE DISK-JET CONNECTIONS
in The Astrophysical Journal
Owen J
(2012)
On the theory of disc photoevaporation The theory of photoevaporation
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Amin M
(2012)
Oscillons after Inflation
in Physical Review Letters
Carballo-Bello J
(2012)
Outer density profiles of 19 Galactic globular clusters from deep and wide-field imaging Outer density profiles of globular clusters
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Trenti M
(2012)
OVERDENSITIES OF Y -DROPOUT GALAXIES FROM THE BRIGHTEST-OF-REIONIZING GALAXIES SURVEY: A CANDIDATE PROTOCLUSTER AT REDSHIFT z ˜ 8
in The Astrophysical Journal
Lewis G
(2013)
PAndAS IN THE MIST: THE STELLAR AND GASEOUS MASS WITHIN THE HALOS OF M31 AND M33
in The Astrophysical Journal
Bouwens R
(2013)
PHOTOMETRIC CONSTRAINTS ON THE REDSHIFT OF z ~ 10 CANDIDATE UDFj-39546284 FROM DEEPER WFC3/IR+ACS+IRAC OBSERVATIONS OVER THE HUDF
in The Astrophysical Journal
Bovy J
(2012)
PHOTOMETRIC REDSHIFTS AND QUASAR PROBABILITIES FROM A SINGLE, DATA-DRIVEN GENERATIVE MODEL
in The Astrophysical Journal
Glushkova E
(2013)
Photometric study of open clusters Berkeley 96, Berkeley 97, King 12, NGC 7261, NGC 7296 and NGC 7788
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Koda J
(2012)
PHYSICAL CONDITIONS IN MOLECULAR CLOUDS IN THE ARM AND INTERARM REGIONS OF M51
in The Astrophysical Journal
Westmoquette M
(2013)
Piecing together the puzzle of NGC 5253: abundances, kinematics and WR stars
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Ade P
(2016)
Planck 2015 results: XIII. Cosmological parameters
Veras D
(2012)
Planet-planet scattering alone cannot explain the free-floating planet population
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Veras D
(2012)
Planetary orbital equations in externally-perturbed systems: position and velocity-dependent forces
in Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy
Parker M
(2014)
Principal component analysis of MCG-06-30-15 with XMM-Newton
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
André P
(2014)
PRISM (Polarized Radiation Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission): an extended white paper
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Mortlock D
(2012)
Probabilistic selection of high-redshift quasars Probabilistic quasar selection
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Hlavacek-Larrondo J
(2013)
PROBING THE EXTREME REALM OF ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEUS FEEDBACK IN THE MASSIVE GALAXY CLUSTER, RX J1532.9+3021
in The Astrophysical Journal