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
James B
(2013)
The merging dwarf galaxy UM 448: chemodynamics of the ionized gas from VLT integral field spectroscopy
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Norris J
(2013)
THE MOST METAL-POOR STARS. IV. THE TWO POPULATIONS WITH [Fe/H] ? -3.0
in The Astrophysical Journal
Norris John E.
(2013)
THE MOST METAL-POOR STARS. IV. THE TWO POPULATIONS WITH [Fe/H] ?-3.0
in ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL
Werner N
(2013)
THE NATURE OF FILAMENTARY COLD GAS IN THE CORE OF THE VIRGO CLUSTER
in The Astrophysical Journal
Jonker P
(2012)
THE NATURE OF THE BRIGHT ULX X-2 IN NGC 3921: A CHANDRA POSITION AND HST CANDIDATE COUNTERPART
in The Astrophysical Journal
Richardson C
(2013)
The nature of the H2-emitting gas in the Crab nebula?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Cormier D
(2012)
The nature of the interstellar medium of the starburst low-metallicity galaxy Haro 11: a multi-phase model of the infrared emission
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Alonso-Herrero A
(2012)
The NGC 7771+NGC 7770 minor merger: harassing the little one?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Ahn C
(2012)
THE NINTH DATA RELEASE OF THE SLOAN DIGITAL SKY SURVEY: FIRST SPECTROSCOPIC DATA FROM THE SDSS-III BARYON OSCILLATION SPECTROSCOPIC SURVEY
in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
Harrison F
(2013)
THE NUCLEAR SPECTROSCOPIC TELESCOPE ARRAY ( NuSTAR ) HIGH-ENERGY X-RAY MISSION
in The Astrophysical Journal
Gallo L
(2013)
The origin of blueshifted absorption features in the X-ray spectrum of PG 1211+143: outflow or disc
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Wilkins D
(2013)
The origin of the lag spectra observed in AGN: Reverberation and the propagation of X-ray source fluctuations
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Powell S
(2012)
The periodic spectroscopic variability of FU Orionis Periodic spectroscopic variability of FU Ori
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Budzynski J
(2012)
The radial distribution of galaxies in groups and clusters Satellite profiles in groups and clusters
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Moeckel N
(2012)
The rapid dispersal of low-mass virialized clusters The rapid dispersal of low-mass clusters
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Hlavacek-Larrondo J
(2013)
The rapid evolution of AGN feedback in brightest cluster galaxies: switching from quasar-mode to radio-mode feedback
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Tomsick J
(2013)
THE REFLECTION COMPONENT FROM CYGNUS X-1 IN THE SOFT STATE MEASURED BY NuSTAR AND SUZAKU
in The Astrophysical Journal
Maschberger T
(2014)
The relation between accretion rates and the initial mass function in hydrodynamical simulations of star formation
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Hamer S
(2012)
The relation between line emission and brightest cluster galaxies in three exceptional clusters: evidence for gas cooling from the intracluster medium Offset optical line emission in cluster cores
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Leaman R
(2012)
THE RESOLVED STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS OF AN ISOLATED DWARF GALAXY: A VLT AND KECK SPECTROSCOPIC SURVEY OF WLM
in The Astrophysical Journal
Koposov S
(2012)
THE SAGITTARIUS STREAMS IN THE SOUTHERN GALACTIC HEMISPHERE
in The Astrophysical Journal
Bonsor A
(2012)
The scattering of small bodies in planetary systems: constraints on the possible orbits of cometary material Scattering in planetary systems
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Ross N
(2012)
THE SDSS-III BARYON OSCILLATION SPECTROSCOPIC SURVEY: QUASAR TARGET SELECTION FOR DATA RELEASE NINE
in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
Walton D
(2012)
The similarity of broad iron lines in X-ray binaries and active galactic nuclei Comparing broad iron lines in XRBs and AGNs
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Sanfrutos M
(2013)
The size of the X-ray emitting region in SWIFT J2127.4+5654 via a broad line region cloud X-ray eclipse
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Sonnenfeld A
(2013)
THE SL2S GALAXY-SCALE LENS SAMPLE. IV. THE DEPENDENCE OF THE TOTAL MASS DENSITY PROFILE OF EARLY-TYPE GALAXIES ON REDSHIFT, STELLAR MASS, AND SIZE
in The Astrophysical Journal
Pâris I
(2012)
The Sloan Digital Sky Survey quasar catalog: ninth data release
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Matt G
(2014)
The soft-X-ray emission of Ark 120. XMM-Newton, NuSTAR, and the importance of taking the broad view
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Veras D
(2012)
The Solar system's post-main-sequence escape boundary Solar system's post-MS escape boundary
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Skibba R
(2012)
THE SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF DUST AND STELLAR EMISSION OF THE MAGELLANIC CLOUDS
in The Astrophysical Journal
De Boer T
(2012)
The star formation and chemical evolution history of the sculptor dwarf spheroidal galaxy
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Bernard E
(2012)
The star formation history and dust content in the far outer disc of M31? The far outer disc of M31
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Weisz D
(2012)
THE STAR FORMATION HISTORY OF LEO T FROM HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE IMAGING
in The Astrophysical Journal
Szomoru D
(2013)
THE STELLAR MASS STRUCTURE OF MASSIVE GALAXIES FROM z = 0 TO z = 2.5: SURFACE DENSITY PROFILES AND HALF-MASS RADII
in The Astrophysical Journal
Deason A
(2012)
The stretching of Hercules
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Tanvir N
(2012)
The structure of star clusters in the outer halo of M31 Halo star clusters of M31
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Brewer B
(2012)
The SWELLS survey - III. Disfavouring 'heavy' initial mass functions for spiral lens galaxies SWELLS - III. Disfavouring heavy IMFs in spirals
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Barnabè M
(2012)
The SWELLS survey - IV. Precision measurements of the stellar and dark matter distributions in a spiral lens galaxy The SWELLS survey - IV
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Dutton A
(2013)
The SWELLS survey - V. A Salpeter stellar initial mass function in the bulges of massive spiral galaxies
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Brewer B
(2014)
The SWELLS survey - VI. Hierarchical inference of the initial mass functions of bulges and discs
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Rudie G
(2012)
THE TEMPERATURE-DENSITY RELATION IN THE INTERGALACTIC MEDIUM AT REDSHIFT ? z ? = 2.4
in The Astrophysical Journal
Galametz M
(2013)
The thermal dust emission in N158-N159-N160 (LMC) star-forming complex mapped by Spitzer, Herschel and LABOCA
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Bachetti M
(2013)
THE ULTRALUMINOUS X-RAY SOURCES NGC 1313 X-1 AND X-2: A BROADBAND STUDY WITH NuSTAR AND XMM-Newton
in The Astrophysical Journal
Jarvis M
(2013)
The VISTA Deep Extragalactic Observations (VIDEO) survey?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Sanders J
(2014)
The X-ray coronae of the two brightest galaxies in the Coma cluster
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Russell H
(2012)
The X-ray luminous cluster underlying the z = 1.04 quasar PKS 1229-021 The X-ray luminous cluster underlying PKS 1229-021
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Raskutti S
(2012)
Thermal constraints on the reionization of hydrogen by Population II stellar sources Thermal constraints on hydrogen reionization
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Simionescu A
(2013)
THERMODYNAMICS OF THE COMA CLUSTER OUTSKIRTS
in The Astrophysical Journal
Pasetto S
(2012)
Thick disk kinematics from RAVE and the solar motion
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Pasetto S
(2012)
Thin disk kinematics from RAVE and the solar motion
in Astronomy & Astrophysics