Astrophysics at St Andrews: 2012-2014
Lead Research Organisation:
University of St Andrews
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
The St Andrews astronomy group is interested in questions of origins: where do galaxies, stars and planets come from, and what fundamental physics explains their formation? We are world leaders in solving intricate mathematical problems, and we use novel methods such as observations at very high precision and simulations with super-computers. We are joined by other groups across Scotland via the Scottish Universities Physics Alliance (SUPA), and internationally, in searching for hot and cool Earth-sized planets, homing in on habitable worlds where life could exist.
Our research spans a wide range of size scales, from discovering planetary systems around stars a few light years away to measuring the force of gravity acting on the whole universe. We discover `hot Jupiters' by using robotic wide-angle cameras that monitor thousands of stars to find those that briefly dim each time an orbiting planet passes in front of its parent star. We discover cooler and smaller more Earth-like planets, using robotic telescopes to watch gravitational lenses, exploiting Einstein's prediction that a planet drifting across the sightline to a distant background star bends its light. We are learning about how planets form by looking at the radiation from dust grains and pebbles, which are either in the process of forming planets or, like our comets, remnants of the planet forming process.
Young stars have strong magnetic fields that interact with orbiting planets and their own magnetic fields. We are studying the signatures of this interaction, which will help us to understand how planets form and evolve. We are investigating the physics of mineral clouds and lightning in atmospheres of cool brown dwarf stars and extrasolar planets. These processes alter our view of planetary systems and will help us understand dust and lightning in volcanic eruptions on Earth. We are using observations and numerical simulations to study how stars form in galaxies and how feedback from young stars drives a dynamic, bubbling interstellar medium, the dusty gas from which new stars are born. We include energetic supernova explosions when massive stars die and the ionising radiation from massive stars that heats the gas in the galaxy to temperatures above than 10,000 degrees Centigrade.
On cosmological scales, we are conducting a survey of 350,000 galaxies to study how their structure emerges. We will learn how galaxies form into their characteristic shapes of flat discs, spiral arms and central bulges. This will help us to understand more exotic phenomena such as the central engines of galaxies, the supermassive black holes that lurk in their central regions, with the aim of understanding how they grow. We are studying how gravity works on the scale of galaxies and the universe. Stars orbit in galaxies so fast that there does not appear to be enough mass to hold the galaxies together. On larger scales, the expansion of the universe itself is accelerating. These puzzles tell us that although we understand gravity on small scales, well enough to send space probes to other planets, it may be different on the larger scales of galaxies and beyond. We are studying alternatives to current ideas of Dark Matter and Dark Energy, comparing our predictions with observations to test how gravity works.
Thus we address key questions in the Science Roadmap: What are the laws of physics in extreme conditions? How do galaxies, stars and planets form and evolve? Are we alone in the Universe? Our science programme exploits major international and space observatories such as ASKAP, eMERLIN, Herschel, Kepler, Spitzer, HST, future facilities including ALMA, JWST, SKA, and PLATO.
Our research spans a wide range of size scales, from discovering planetary systems around stars a few light years away to measuring the force of gravity acting on the whole universe. We discover `hot Jupiters' by using robotic wide-angle cameras that monitor thousands of stars to find those that briefly dim each time an orbiting planet passes in front of its parent star. We discover cooler and smaller more Earth-like planets, using robotic telescopes to watch gravitational lenses, exploiting Einstein's prediction that a planet drifting across the sightline to a distant background star bends its light. We are learning about how planets form by looking at the radiation from dust grains and pebbles, which are either in the process of forming planets or, like our comets, remnants of the planet forming process.
Young stars have strong magnetic fields that interact with orbiting planets and their own magnetic fields. We are studying the signatures of this interaction, which will help us to understand how planets form and evolve. We are investigating the physics of mineral clouds and lightning in atmospheres of cool brown dwarf stars and extrasolar planets. These processes alter our view of planetary systems and will help us understand dust and lightning in volcanic eruptions on Earth. We are using observations and numerical simulations to study how stars form in galaxies and how feedback from young stars drives a dynamic, bubbling interstellar medium, the dusty gas from which new stars are born. We include energetic supernova explosions when massive stars die and the ionising radiation from massive stars that heats the gas in the galaxy to temperatures above than 10,000 degrees Centigrade.
On cosmological scales, we are conducting a survey of 350,000 galaxies to study how their structure emerges. We will learn how galaxies form into their characteristic shapes of flat discs, spiral arms and central bulges. This will help us to understand more exotic phenomena such as the central engines of galaxies, the supermassive black holes that lurk in their central regions, with the aim of understanding how they grow. We are studying how gravity works on the scale of galaxies and the universe. Stars orbit in galaxies so fast that there does not appear to be enough mass to hold the galaxies together. On larger scales, the expansion of the universe itself is accelerating. These puzzles tell us that although we understand gravity on small scales, well enough to send space probes to other planets, it may be different on the larger scales of galaxies and beyond. We are studying alternatives to current ideas of Dark Matter and Dark Energy, comparing our predictions with observations to test how gravity works.
Thus we address key questions in the Science Roadmap: What are the laws of physics in extreme conditions? How do galaxies, stars and planets form and evolve? Are we alone in the Universe? Our science programme exploits major international and space observatories such as ASKAP, eMERLIN, Herschel, Kepler, Spitzer, HST, future facilities including ALMA, JWST, SKA, and PLATO.
Planned Impact
Our research creates three major kinds of impact, related to
(1) the insatiable public interest in the fundamental questions behind our existence that are being addressed,
(2) the practical implications for understanding atmospheric processes,
(3) the universality of techniques pioneered by our cutting-edge scientific endeavour.
The widespread public fascination about objects in the sky is rooted in astronomy providing context to life on Earth. Our research on extra-solar planets, astrobiology, formation processes, and large-scale forces provides answers that cannot be found on our home planet. We thereby directly affect the culture of our society, using the media, museums, or other outreach organisations as intermediaries to stipulate members of various age groups to wonder, explore and investigate. Moreover, beyond any other scientific discipline, we inspire young people and motivate more of them to pursue careers in STEM subjects, leading to them acquiring skills that are essential for safeguarding the economic competitiveness of the UK.
Our research work and its consequences are widely and frequently presented in the national and world-wide media, both as news reports and features in major newspapers, magazines, radio, and TV stations, with several of our PIs having gained a substantial reputation. We moreover address the wide general public by means of exhibits as well as documentary films, having worked with the Dundee Science Centre, the American Museum of Natural
History, the National Museum of Scotland, the Edinburgh International Science Festival, and the Royal Society for their Summer Science Exhibition. A new University development will enable us to establish a writer-in-residence programme, public fora, and a permanent exhibition. Moreover, with a local secondary school moving right next to our campus, we will cascade down our unique student experience, and in particular open their minds by providing live access to remotely-controlled telescopes during daytime hours. By providing live data from research projects,
exploiting electronic media, and developing intelligent citizen science projects, we engage a world-wide society in science and contribute to a cultural approach that manifests the role of science as an integral part of society.
The study of dust and cloud formation processes in stellar and planetary atmospheres is core to exploiting new opportunities to extend comparative planetology beyond the Solar system, and ultimately learn more about
planet Earth and processes in its atmosphere. Potential end applications include dust charging on Mars as a hazard for future explorations, the safety of airports near volcanoes, the inverse problem of eliminating charged dust that contaminates plasma-processing devices, or fusion reactor safety. All of these are not only of substantial commercial value, but the safety aspects are of major importance for our quality of life.
The transfer of gained technical expertise from our research into other areas as well as the generalisation of the problems we are working on and the application of obtained solutions in different contexts is facilitated by efficient informal networks within the University, as recent examples of interaction with Marine Biology and Computer Science demonstrate. The application of astronomical techniques can be taken further into the commercial or medical sectors. Most notably, we established a cooperation with Ninewells Hospital in Dundee on photodynamic therapy for the treatment of skin cancer, using simulations of light propagation through human tissue and fluorescence based on radiation transfer codes that were originally written for astronomical scenarios.
(1) the insatiable public interest in the fundamental questions behind our existence that are being addressed,
(2) the practical implications for understanding atmospheric processes,
(3) the universality of techniques pioneered by our cutting-edge scientific endeavour.
The widespread public fascination about objects in the sky is rooted in astronomy providing context to life on Earth. Our research on extra-solar planets, astrobiology, formation processes, and large-scale forces provides answers that cannot be found on our home planet. We thereby directly affect the culture of our society, using the media, museums, or other outreach organisations as intermediaries to stipulate members of various age groups to wonder, explore and investigate. Moreover, beyond any other scientific discipline, we inspire young people and motivate more of them to pursue careers in STEM subjects, leading to them acquiring skills that are essential for safeguarding the economic competitiveness of the UK.
Our research work and its consequences are widely and frequently presented in the national and world-wide media, both as news reports and features in major newspapers, magazines, radio, and TV stations, with several of our PIs having gained a substantial reputation. We moreover address the wide general public by means of exhibits as well as documentary films, having worked with the Dundee Science Centre, the American Museum of Natural
History, the National Museum of Scotland, the Edinburgh International Science Festival, and the Royal Society for their Summer Science Exhibition. A new University development will enable us to establish a writer-in-residence programme, public fora, and a permanent exhibition. Moreover, with a local secondary school moving right next to our campus, we will cascade down our unique student experience, and in particular open their minds by providing live access to remotely-controlled telescopes during daytime hours. By providing live data from research projects,
exploiting electronic media, and developing intelligent citizen science projects, we engage a world-wide society in science and contribute to a cultural approach that manifests the role of science as an integral part of society.
The study of dust and cloud formation processes in stellar and planetary atmospheres is core to exploiting new opportunities to extend comparative planetology beyond the Solar system, and ultimately learn more about
planet Earth and processes in its atmosphere. Potential end applications include dust charging on Mars as a hazard for future explorations, the safety of airports near volcanoes, the inverse problem of eliminating charged dust that contaminates plasma-processing devices, or fusion reactor safety. All of these are not only of substantial commercial value, but the safety aspects are of major importance for our quality of life.
The transfer of gained technical expertise from our research into other areas as well as the generalisation of the problems we are working on and the application of obtained solutions in different contexts is facilitated by efficient informal networks within the University, as recent examples of interaction with Marine Biology and Computer Science demonstrate. The application of astronomical techniques can be taken further into the commercial or medical sectors. Most notably, we established a cooperation with Ninewells Hospital in Dundee on photodynamic therapy for the treatment of skin cancer, using simulations of light propagation through human tissue and fluorescence based on radiation transfer codes that were originally written for astronomical scenarios.
Organisations
Publications
Zhao H
(2012)
Unifying all mass discrepancies with one effective gravity law?
in Physical Review D
MacLachlan J
(2012)
The dust distribution in late-type low surface brightness disks
in Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union
Bryan M
(2012)
QATAR-2: A K DWARF ORBITED BY A TRANSITING HOT JUPITER AND A MORE MASSIVE COMPANION IN AN OUTER ORBIT
in The Astrophysical Journal
Donati J
(2012)
Magnetometry of the classical T Tauri star GQ Lup: non-stationary dynamos and spin evolution of young Suns Magnetometry of the cTTS GQ Lup
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Southworth J
(2012)
High-precision photometry by telescope defocusing - IV. Confirmation of the huge radius of WASP-17 b High-precision defocused photometry of WASP-17
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Llama J
(2012)
Using Kepler transit observations to measure stellar spot belt migration rates Measuring spot latitude drift rates with transits
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Enoch B
(2012)
Factors affecting the radii of close-in transiting exoplanets
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Aarnio A
(2012)
Mechanical equilibrium of hot, large-scale magnetic loops on T Tauri stars TTS magnetic loops
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Fleuren S
(2012)
Herschel -ATLAS: VISTA VIKING near-infrared counterparts in the Phase 1 GAMA 9-h data ? Herschel-ATLAS: VIKING counterparts
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Dale J
(2012)
Ionization-induced star formation - III. Effects of external triggering on the initial mass function in clusters Ionization-induced star formation
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Brown D
(2012)
ANALYSIS OF SPIN-ORBIT ALIGNMENT IN THE WASP-32, WASP-38, AND HAT-P-27/WASP-40 SYSTEMS
in The Astrophysical Journal
Harpsøe K
(2012)
The transiting system GJ1214: high-precision defocused transit observations and a search for evidence of transit timing variation
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Füllekrug M
(2012)
Energetic Charged Particles Above Thunderclouds
in Surveys in Geophysics
Borthakur S
(2013)
THE IMPACT OF STARBURSTS ON THE CIRCUMGALACTIC MEDIUM
in The Astrophysical Journal
Wood K
(2013)
THREE-DIMENSIONAL GEOMETRIES AND THE ANALYSIS OF H II REGIONS
in The Astrophysical Journal
Dawson P
(2013)
New brown dwarf discs in Upper Scorpius observed with WISE
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Husemann B
(2013)
CALIFA, the Calar Alto Legacy Integral Field Area survey II. First public data release?
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Helling C
(2013)
IONIZATION IN ATMOSPHERES OF BROWN DWARFS AND EXTRASOLAR PLANETS. III. BREAKDOWN CONDITIONS FOR MINERAL CLOUDS
in The Astrophysical Journal
Rimmer P
(2013)
IONIZATION IN ATMOSPHERES OF BROWN DWARFS AND EXTRASOLAR PLANETS. IV. THE EFFECT OF COSMIC RAYS
in The Astrophysical Journal
Galianni P
(2013)
A test of the failed disc wind scenario for the origin of the broad-line region in active galactic nuclei
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Park H
(2013)
GRAVITATIONAL BINARY-LENS EVENTS WITH PROMINENT EFFECTS OF LENS ORBITAL MOTION
in The Astrophysical Journal
Yee J
(2013)
MOA-2010-BLG-311: A PLANETARY CANDIDATE BELOW THE THRESHOLD OF RELIABLE DETECTION
in The Astrophysical Journal
McLure R
(2013)
A new multifield determination of the galaxy luminosity function at z = 7-9 incorporating the 2012 Hubble Ultra-Deep Field imaging
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Stark C
(2013)
IONIZATION IN ATMOSPHERES OF BROWN DWARFS AND EXTRASOLAR PLANETS. V. ALFVÉN IONIZATION
in The Astrophysical Journal
Faedi F
(2013)
WASP-54b, WASP-56b, and WASP-57b: Three new sub-Jupiter mass planets from SuperWASP
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Maxted P
(2013)
EL CVn-type binaries - discovery of 17 helium white dwarf precursors in bright eclipsing binary star systems
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Bonnell I
(2013)
Shocks, cooling and the origin of star formation rates in spiral galaxies
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Gillon M
(2013)
WASP-64 b and WASP-72 b: two new transiting highly irradiated giant planets
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Papaderos P
(2013)
Nebular emission and the Lyman continuum photon escape fraction in CALIFA early-type galaxies
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Pepe F
(2013)
An Earth-sized planet with an Earth-like density.
in Nature
Scholz A
(2013)
A systematic survey for eruptive young stellar objects using mid-infrared photometry
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Zhao H
(2013)
Testing gravity theories via transverse Doppler and gravitational redshifts in galaxy clusters
in Physical Review D
Llama J
(2013)
Exoplanet transit variability: bow shocks and winds around HD 189733b
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Gómez Maqueo Chew Y
(2013)
THE HOMOGENEOUS STUDY OF TRANSITING SYSTEMS (HoSTS). I. THE PILOT STUDY OF WASP-13
in The Astrophysical Journal
Helling C
(2013)
Dust cloud lightning in extraterrestrial atmospheres
in Planetary and Space Science
Maxted P
(2013)
WASP-77 Ab: A Transiting Hot Jupiter Planet in a Wide Binary System1
in Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Fares R
(2013)
A small survey of the magnetic fields of planet-host stars?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Arellano Ferro A
(2013)
A detailed census of variable stars in the globular cluster NGC 6333 (M9) from CCD differential photometry?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Mahtani D
(2013)
Warm Spitzer occultation photometry of WASP-26b at 3.6 and 4.5 µm
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Smith A
(2013)
WASP-71b: a bloated hot Jupiter in a 2.9-day, prograde orbit around an evolved F8 star
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Füllekrug M
(2013)
Electron acceleration above thunderclouds
in Environmental Research Letters
Scandariato G
(2013)
A coordinated optical and X-ray spectroscopic campaign on HD 179949: searching for planet-induced chromospheric and coronal activity
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Kains N
(2013)
Estimating the parameters of globular cluster M 30 (NGC 7099) from time-series photometry
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Smith R
(2013)
LINE PROFILES OF CORES WITHIN CLUSTERS. II. SIGNATURES OF DYNAMICAL COLLAPSE DURING HIGH-MASS STAR FORMATION
in The Astrophysical Journal
Gómez Maqueo Chew Y
(2013)
Discovery of WASP-65b and WASP-75b: Two hot Jupiters without highly inflated radii
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Donati J
(2013)
Magnetospheric accretion on the fully convective classical T Tauri star DN Tau
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jardine M
(2013)
Influence of surface stressing on stellar coronae and winds
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Triaud A
(2013)
WASP-80b: a gas giant transiting a cool dwarf
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Han C
(2013)
MICROLENSING DISCOVERY OF A TIGHT, LOW-MASS-RATIO PLANETARY-MASS OBJECT AROUND AN OLD FIELD BROWN DWARF
in The Astrophysical Journal
Johnston K
(2013)
The standard model of low-mass star formation applied to massive stars: a multi-wavelength picture of AFGL 2591
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Description | We carried out a broad range of astrophysics research ranging from extrasolar planet discovery to studies of star formation and galaxy evolution to the nature of dark matter and dark energy. |
Exploitation Route | Our research findings are published in refereed journals with open access. They are available for anyone to access and make use of. |
Sectors | Education |
Description | Our findings have been published in refereed journals from which they are available for use by any and all interested parties. |
First Year Of Impact | 2012 |
Sector | Education |
Impact Types | Cultural |
Title | Data underpinning - The Sun as a planet-host star: Proxies from SDO images for HARPS radial-velocity variations |
Description | |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2016 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Title | RV curves of WASP-16, 25 and 31 (Brown+, 2012) |
Description | RV data for all three planetary systems were obtained using the CORALIEhigh-precision echelle spectrograph, mounted on the Swiss 1.2-m Eulertelescope, and with the HARPS high-precision echelle spectrograph mounted on the 3.6-m European Southern Observatory (ESO) telescope at LaSilla. (8 data files). |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | TBC |
URL | http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2013yCat..74231503B |