Astrophysics Research at Liverpool John Moores University: Consolidated Grant Renewal

We will continue to pursue ground-breaking astrophysical research at the forefront of knowledge through both observational and theoretical work.

Under the heading of star formation, we will test the predictions of an evolutionary scenario for producing stars in the Galactic Centre which has the potential to open a new frontier in such research. We will find the pristine birth sites of the most massive stars, directly testing predictions of models seeking to explain the observed stellar mass distribution. In addition, we will measure how efficiently gas clouds are converted into stars across much of the Galaxy, producing the first constraints on the dominant mechanisms or environmental factors regulating star formation, thereby laying the foundations for a predictive empirical model of star formation. We will exploit our access to the UK's investment in the world's best mm observatory, ALMA and we will convert significant UK investments in SCUBA-2 and Herschel into an international lead in science outcomes.

In time-domain astrophysics, we will perform an in-depth study of the circumstances of core-collapse supernova explosions (SNe Ib/c) and identification of the progenitors of thermonuclear supernovae (SNe Ia). This project capitalises on expertise in the ARI supernova and nova groups and exploits our privileged access to data from the intermediate Palomar Transient Factory and other facilities. We will continue and expand our study of the physics of Gamma Ray Bursts, exploiting our world-leading capabilities in rapid follow-up, polarimety and MHD modelling. A combination of new robotic telescopes, instruments and data analysis will enable us to investigate new types of transients, laying the foundation for a UK lead in time-domain astrophysics beyond Gaia, into the LSST, SKA and gravitational-wave era.

Under the heading of the structure and evolution of galaxies, we will exploit our novel technique to measure chemical compositions of individual stars at Mpc distances. We will thus measure abundance patterns in nearby galaxies, and provide the best measurement yet of the Mass-Metallicity Relation in the local universe, a crucial diagnostic of the theory of galaxy formation and evolution. The project is supported by significant awards of time at major international observatories and is part of the E-ELT MOS instrument science case. We will also investigate mass assembly of galaxies using measures of mass distributions in groups and clusters. By comparing to the latest numerical models this will answer key questions regarding the star-formation efficiency of galaxies, the baryonic mass distribution, and the size-mass relationship of galaxies.

We will gain new insights into the formation of our Galaxy, by integrating state of the art models of galaxy formation, stellar evolution, and orbital analysis techniques with data from a cutting-edge new survey of Milky Way stars (a part of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey), in which LJMU will play a leading role. We will also use hydrodynamical simulations of galaxies and clusters, to make predictions for surveys such as Planck, REFLEX-II. This will address the number counts discrepancy of Planck clusters and the exciting possibility of free-streaming by neutrinos. We will use a new prescription for AGN feedback for the most luminous powerful radio jets, which has been missing in simulations to-date.

All of our research uses the most advanced ground-based telescopes, satellites and data analysis techniques. In turn, ARI staff lead many of the new generation surveys with these telescopes. The projects we propose are technically demanding and require computer software support to aid the delivery of the science.

The structure and organisation of the ARI is designed to deliver internationally excellent research. The ARI is known worldwide for developing and exploiting outreach activities to engage the wider population in STFC science, and we aim to enhance these.

The primary impact of the research in this grant will be through an extensive programme of engagement with schools, families and the general public. This will build on our considerable experience through such projects as the National Schools' Observatory and a suite of Distance Learning courses, and will not just involve passive outreach, but active engagement in the process of research, and the sharing in its rewards.

This will be achieved partly through an ambitious programme of talks, workshops, presentations and articles to a wide range of audiences, but mainly through a set of online resources that will explore the ongoing research and allow anyone to work alongside the researchers and make their own unique contribution.

The major form of impact arising from the renewal of our Consolidated Grant, will come from activities centred around Projects 1-5 and Project 7, described in the Pathways to Impact document. These will benefit schools, amateur astronomers and the general public.

The astronomy visitor centre Spaceport, developed in a partnership between Merseytravel and the ARI, attracts in excess of 70,000 visitors p.a. and acts as a showcase for ARI science. Along with the permanent educational and interactive displays, Spaceport provides the ideal forum for the public to engage informally with researchers to discuss science and learn about research facilities such as the Liverpool Telescope. Special events are held on a regular basis including the Merseyside Astronomy Days which consist of dedicated talks, discussions and displays attended by members of the public.

In addition, through activities initiated within the ARI, there will be other more traditional forms of public engagement growing from our research. In particular we would anticipate a number of talks, panel discussions and question-and-answer sessions relating to our research. These will vary with respect to audience: schools (from primary upwards), amateur astronomy societies, lecture societies, WI, etc. We will also showcase the new research at events organised by the ARI (such as the annual Merseyside Astronomy Day) and, where appropriate, at the Spaceport visitor centre.

In all cases the benefits will be twofold. Obviously, an exposure to current research can stimulate inquiry and interest in any audience. However, a less obvious, but perhaps more important benefit is to use that stimulation to promote an appreciation of science as a whole. This is particularly important for engagement with schools where astronomy has a vital role to play in promoting science and other STEM subjects as potential careers. We also engage research students and PDRAs in Impact through `Stargazing Live' events each year, and one of our STEP PDRAs also holds an Ogden Fellowship from the Ogden Trust's Schools Partnership Programme.

In order to facilitate outreach, younger and less experienced researchers (especially PDRAs and PhD students) are encouraged to present their research to a variety of audiences, with training and support provided by the experienced Outreach team within the ARI.

We also work with non-science organisations to find ways in which the research can be used to enhance their own work. This sort of impact is difficult to predict in advance, as it is usually opportunistic, but past examples in the ARI have involved work with arts organisations and artists (including musicians, theatre companies, street theatre performers, sculptors, photographers and writers) and organisations that promote access to education (such as Aim Higher). One example of this agile approach was our development of a show garden for the 2013 Tatton Park Royal Horticultural Society Show, under the theme of "The Galaxy". Our garden not only won a Gold Medal and "Most Creative Garden" award, plus national TV coverage (including BBC TV's Gardener's World, reaching 2.5 million viewers), but also allowed us to discuss aspects of galactic structure and black holes.