Imperial College Astrophysics & Space Physics Consolidated Grant April 2013 - March 2016

Astronomical research at Imperial College London covers topics from the atmosphere of the Sun and its planets to the Dark Energy that dominates the evolution of the Universe. The research exploits Imperial's leading roles in European space missions, including the European Space Agency's Rosetta mission which will rendezvous with comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in 2014 and accompany it as it moves toward the Sun and becomes fully active through the Herschel and Planck satellites studying the formation and evolution of the Universe. Detailed research projects probe the Sun's influence on the Earth, the magnetic field of Saturn, the formation of galaxies and planets, the geometry and topology of the Universe as a whole, and the theoretical understanding of the atmospheres of planets orbiting distant stars. This combination of observational and theoretical work is complemented by world-beating instrumentation in measuring the tiny but critical magnetic fields in interplanetary space, and laboratory research to determine the properties of atoms and molecules so that astronomical observations may be accurately interpreted in terms of the physics occurring at such remote environments. Our research embraces use of advanced statistical techniques to analyse and combine complex datasets and find new classes of objects.

Beneficiaries of our research include a number of non-astronomical groups.
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Industrial Partners:

We have long-standing partnerships with several UK space companies: Astrium UK, Ultra Electronics, and Satellite Services.

The Spectroscopy team provides atomic data for industrial applications. We were part of the EU RTN "GLADNET," studying Glow Discharge (GD). Industry used GD spectroscopy to analyse thin (few nm) layers found in manufacturing and the development of new materials. Interested sectors include life sciences, car manufacturing, and nano-technology.

Blackford Analysis is a spin-out company marketing astronomical algorithms involving the handling of large datasets for imaging and other applications in the medical and security sectors.

Government/International Agencies:

We work closely with the UKSA and ESA on space missions, including Cluster, Cassini, Rosetta, Venus Express, Herschel, and Planck. Our instrumentation will fly on the CINEMA CubeSat, BepiColombo and Solar Orbiter. We also participate in or lead studies for Laplace/JUICE, EChO, and Euclid.

Non-astronomical Communities:

We conduct a series of workshops with bioinformatics and other life scientists at Imperial College in areas such as data curation, handling large datasets and the application of Bayesian statistical methods to genomics.

General Public:

We engage in a wide range of public events including Royal Society Summer Exhibitions and a highly successful series of "Big Question" public debates. Our 'Art and Science' project, 'Urban Sputnik' expressed the frontiers of astrophysical research using art and design as its primary language.

Our Pathways to Impact document looks forward to the following activities:
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Magnetoresistive Technology - Our world-leading, licensed technology employs miniaturised magnetoresistive sensors to offer optimised solutions to a number of space and terrestrial applications. Our sensor will fly on a US NSF-funded CubeSat in 2012. We have targeted applications in oil and gas industry applications, and off-the-shelf low mass, low power space attitude and Space Weather sensors.

ASIC Magnetometer Electronics - In partnership with Astrium UK we will develop ultra-low-power electronics for space magnetometry.

Atomic Spectroscopy - Our laboratory analyses have applications in the use of gas discharges to analyses thin layers in addition to our principal interests in the interpretation of astronomical spectra. These techniques also feed into the measurement of water vapour, a major greenhouse gas, in the Earth's atmosphere.

Space Weather - The impact of solar-driven disturbances has been identified as a natural hazard to technological systems. Such disturbances include induced magnetic disturbances. Our magnetic field sensor technology has been funded by the UK and ESA as part of a future monitoring system to predict and forewarn of potential service disruption.

Applications of Astronomical Algorithms - The collection and analysis of large volumes of astronomical data, mostly in the form of images, has parallels in medicine, biology, and financial systems. We have developed algorithms for manipulating and analysing such datasets that has resulted in a spin-out company (Blackford Analysis) and other potential commercial streams.

Outreach - We participate in a range of activities including displays at Royal Society and other annual exhibitions, and specific activities with the Science and Natural History Museums. We are also engaged in more creative efforts to take our science to the wider community through both verbal and artistic media. Our "Big Questions" debating series attracts large audiences from the community. We are working with a visual artist, Ole Hagen, to create a kinetic 3D sculpture, the "Post-Newtonian Orrery," designed to portray, e.g., black holes and spacetime curvature, and thus reach new audiences.