Astrophysics Research at the University of Leicester
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leicester
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
We will deliver world-class research programmes in astrophysics through the exploitation of data from space missions and ground based telescopes, as well as the development of new theories and the numerical simulation of processes in these areas. We will also develop new instrumental techniques and detectors for future missions and telescopes. The research programme is based mainly around two research groups, with some participation by three others. These groups conduct their own research projects but also have a strong ethos of collaboration on topics of mutual interest.
Our research seeks to understand basic processes in our own and other galaxies, addressing questions of great interest to the wider public. We will search for new planets orbiting nearby stars which may mimic the planets that are present in our own solar system or possibly be very different, such as hot Neptunes, or Super Earths.
We will investigate some of the most extreme environments in our Universe by high energy astrophysics research focusing on extreme phenomena ranging from Galactic black hole binaries, through to active galactic nuclei and gamma-ray bursts. These studies will include the feedback processes that link black holes to the evolution of their host galaxies.
We will maintain and enhance a programme in stellar astronomy with emphasis on the astrophysics of white dwarf stars. We will be using high performance computers to simulate these systems theoretically. This in turn will help our observations and vice versa. Through these simulations we will build theories and models of how these extreme systems behave. We will use these simulations to try to understand the `dark' matter which constitutes much of the material
content of the Universe. We will use laboratory experimentation to develop new ways to observe these phenomena, building new instruments for the next generation of space missions.
This work also offers spin-off activities which often drive progress in areas far removed from astrophysics. Our department has an active programme of engagement with the wider community, particularly school age children, who are thrilled to hear about research in the Department. We will maintain a strong commitment to knowledge transfer for academic beneficiaries.
Our research seeks to understand basic processes in our own and other galaxies, addressing questions of great interest to the wider public. We will search for new planets orbiting nearby stars which may mimic the planets that are present in our own solar system or possibly be very different, such as hot Neptunes, or Super Earths.
We will investigate some of the most extreme environments in our Universe by high energy astrophysics research focusing on extreme phenomena ranging from Galactic black hole binaries, through to active galactic nuclei and gamma-ray bursts. These studies will include the feedback processes that link black holes to the evolution of their host galaxies.
We will maintain and enhance a programme in stellar astronomy with emphasis on the astrophysics of white dwarf stars. We will be using high performance computers to simulate these systems theoretically. This in turn will help our observations and vice versa. Through these simulations we will build theories and models of how these extreme systems behave. We will use these simulations to try to understand the `dark' matter which constitutes much of the material
content of the Universe. We will use laboratory experimentation to develop new ways to observe these phenomena, building new instruments for the next generation of space missions.
This work also offers spin-off activities which often drive progress in areas far removed from astrophysics. Our department has an active programme of engagement with the wider community, particularly school age children, who are thrilled to hear about research in the Department. We will maintain a strong commitment to knowledge transfer for academic beneficiaries.
Planned Impact
The applicants offer a diverse skill set that constitute a valuable resource to the private and public sectors. We have extensive experience and expertise in e.g. data analysis and handling, spacecraft and mission management, algorithm design, software engineering and high performance computing. Exploitation of this expertise is supported at all levels within the University. The Department of Physics and Astronomy is committed to
promoting and maximising the impact of our research. The College of Science and Engineering plays a leading role in the Enterprise Agenda for the University and offers dedicated enterprise officers and impact enhancing resources. Further support is provided by the University's Enterprise and Business Development Office, which works with academics and external stakeholders to create maximum impact in the local, provide national, and international community. This structure (i) delivers enterprising impact through the alignment of our research with major global and industrial challenges, (ii) identifies and addresses the opportunities to play a positive role in the economic development of our region and the UK, (iii) utilises research and related activities to develop skills and capability within a broad spectrum of the public and private sectors, (iv) provides expert advice and
guidance to industry and policy makers, (v) ensures that its intellectual property is effectively transferred and disseminated, and (vi) contributes to the wider cultural benefit of society through an enterprising and engaging outreach programme.
The long term impact strategy has four elements:
(1) to support and develop the skills and experience of the applicants;
(2) to ensure that links with public and private sector industries are developed, cultivated and maximised;
(3) to disseminate knowledge, skills and expterise to the benefit of the local, national and international business and civic communities;
(4) to sustain and develop our successful outreach programme with particular emphasis on enhancing our efforts to develop valid outcome measures.
promoting and maximising the impact of our research. The College of Science and Engineering plays a leading role in the Enterprise Agenda for the University and offers dedicated enterprise officers and impact enhancing resources. Further support is provided by the University's Enterprise and Business Development Office, which works with academics and external stakeholders to create maximum impact in the local, provide national, and international community. This structure (i) delivers enterprising impact through the alignment of our research with major global and industrial challenges, (ii) identifies and addresses the opportunities to play a positive role in the economic development of our region and the UK, (iii) utilises research and related activities to develop skills and capability within a broad spectrum of the public and private sectors, (iv) provides expert advice and
guidance to industry and policy makers, (v) ensures that its intellectual property is effectively transferred and disseminated, and (vi) contributes to the wider cultural benefit of society through an enterprising and engaging outreach programme.
The long term impact strategy has four elements:
(1) to support and develop the skills and experience of the applicants;
(2) to ensure that links with public and private sector industries are developed, cultivated and maximised;
(3) to disseminate knowledge, skills and expterise to the benefit of the local, national and international business and civic communities;
(4) to sustain and develop our successful outreach programme with particular emphasis on enhancing our efforts to develop valid outcome measures.
Organisations
Publications
Nayakshin Sergei
(2016)
A desert of gas giant planets beyond tens of au
in arXiv e-prints
Pounds K
(2016)
A dual velocity in the highly ionized wind of the luminous narrow line Seyfert galaxy PG 1211+143
in Astronomische Nachrichten
Hu J
(2019)
A far-UV survey of three hot, metal-polluted white dwarf stars: WD0455-282, WD0621-376, and WD2211-495
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Gentile Fusillo N
(2019)
A Gaia Data Release 2 catalogue of white dwarfs and a comparison with SDSS
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
LIGO Scientific Collaboration And The Virgo Collaboration
(2017)
A gravitational-wave standard siren measurement of the Hubble constant.
in Nature
Angus C
(2016)
A Hubble Space Telescope survey of the host galaxies of Superluminous Supernovae
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Burningham B
(2016)
A LOFAR mini-survey for low-frequency radio emission from the nearest brown dwarfs
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
West R
(2020)
A long-period (P = 61.8 d) M5V dwarf eclipsing a Sun-like star from TESS and NGTS
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Casewell S
(2018)
A low-mass eclipsing binary within the fully convective zone from the Next Generation Transit Survey
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Pandey S. B.
(2019)
A multi-wavelength analysis of a collection of short-duration GRBs observed between 2012-2015
in arXiv e-prints
Diakogiannis F
(2017)
A novel JEAnS analysis of the Fornax dwarf using evolutionary algorithms: mass follows light with signs of an off-centre merger
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Cantiello M
(2018)
A Precise Distance to the Host Galaxy of the Binary Neutron Star Merger GW170817 Using Surface Brightness Fluctuations *
in The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Alexander K
(2017)
A Reverse Shock and Unusual Radio Properties in GRB 160625B
in The Astrophysical Journal
Gompertz B
(2020)
A Search for Neutron Star-Black Hole Binary Mergers in the Short Gamma-Ray Burst Population
in The Astrophysical Journal
Gilbertson Christian
(2017)
A Study of the Gamma-Ray Burst Fundamental Plane
in American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #229
Dainotti Maria
(2016)
A Study of the Gamma-Ray Burst Fundamental Plane
in arXiv e-prints
MacLeod C
(2016)
A systematic search for changing-look quasars in SDSS
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Dehghanian M
(2019)
A Wind-based Unification Model for NGC 5548: Spectral Holidays, Nondisk Emission, and Implications for Changing-look Quasars
in The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Kim S
(2017)
ALMA and GMRT Constraints on the Off-axis Gamma-Ray Burst 170817A from the Binary Neutron Star Merger GW170817
in The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Nayakshin Sergei
(2019)
ALMA dusty annular structures: significant implications for planet and star formation theories
in From Stars to Planets II - Connecting our understanding of star and planet formation
Nayakshin S
(2019)
ALMA observations require slower Core Accretion runaway growth
Nayakshin S
(2019)
ALMA observations require slower Core Accretion runaway growth
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Nayakshin, S
(2019)
ALMA observations require slower Core Accretion runaway growth
Troja E
(2016)
AN ACHROMATIC BREAK IN THE AFTERGLOW OF THE SHORT GRB 140903A: EVIDENCE FOR A NARROW JET
in The Astrophysical Journal
Reindl N
(2020)
An in-depth reanalysis of the alleged type Ia supernova progenitor Henize 2-428
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Pounds K
(2018)
An ultra-fast inflow in the luminous Seyfert PG1211+143
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Cenko S
(2016)
AN ULTRAVIOLET SPECTRUM OF THE TIDAL DISRUPTION FLARE ASASSN-14li
in The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Goad M
(2019)
Anomalous behaviour of the UV-optical continuum bands in NGC 5548
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Nealon R
(2015)
Apsidal precession, disc breaking and viscosity in warped discs
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Smith R
(2016)
Arcus: the x-ray grating spectrometer explorer
Nativi L
(2022)
Are interactions with neutron star merger winds shaping the jets?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Nixon C
(2016)
Astrophysical Black Holes
King A
(2016)
Black hole winds II: Hyper-Eddington winds and feedback
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
King A
(2016)
Black holes in stellar-mass binary systems: expiating original spin?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Wiersema K
(2018)
Calibration of EFOSC2 Broadband Linear Imaging Polarimetry
in Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia
Wiersema K.
(2018)
Calibration of EFOSC2 broadband linear imaging polarimetry
in ArXiv e-prints
Günther M
(2017)
Centroid vetting of transiting planet candidates from the Next Generation Transit Survey
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Humphries R
(2018)
Changes in the metallicity of gas giant planets due to pebble accretion
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Starling R
(2017)
Characterization of AGN from the XMM-Newton Slew Survey
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Bianchi Luciana
(2016)
Characterization of the hot white dwarfs population in the Milky Way with GALEX, SDSS, PanSTARRS, and HST, to understand post-AGB evolution.
in 41st COSPAR Scientific Assembly
Acero F.
(2017)
Cherenkov Telescope Array Contributions to the 35th International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC2017)
in arXiv e-prints
Martin R
(2018)
Circumbinary discs around merging stellar-mass black holes
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Chaushev A
(2019)
Classifying exoplanet candidates with convolutional neural networks: application to the Next Generation Transit Survey
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Gómez De Castro A
(2022)
Closing gaps to our origins EUVO: the ultraviolet-visible window into the Universe
in Experimental Astronomy
Gomez De Castro Ana I.
(2019)
Closing gaps to our origins. The UV window into the Universe
in arXiv e-prints
Gualandris A
(2017)
Collisionless loss-cone refilling: there is no final parsec problem
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Humphries J
(2019)
Constraining the initial planetary population in the gravitational instability model
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Description | Further progress in a variety of fields of astrophysics. |
Exploitation Route | Further research in various areas of astrophysics. |
Sectors | Education |
Description | Royal Society Research Grant |
Amount | £13,055 (GBP) |
Funding ID | RG170230 |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2017 |
End | 10/2018 |
Description | Creativity and Curiosity - Art meets astronomy |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The project started as a discussion between artists and astronomers to stimulate new art and engage with new audiences. Events have included exhibitions of the artworks and associated discussion events across the county and abroad. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | https://www.creativityandcuriosity.com |
Description | US NSF announcement of discovery of first gravitational wave source with electromagnetic counterpart - Oct 2017 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | US National Science Foundation press release. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | https://www.ligo.caltech.edu/page/press-release-gw170817 |
Description | Various school visits, astronomical society lectures |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Many presentations, 100s of students, excellent questions and discussion. Audience figures are totals for activities during each year. Improvements in interest in applying for science degrees |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018,2019,2020,2021 |