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
Nativi L
(2022)
Are interactions with neutron star merger winds shaping the jets?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Nayakshin S
(2019)
ALMA observations require slower Core Accretion runaway growth
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Nayakshin S
(2020)
The paradox of youth for ALMA planet candidates
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Nayakshin S
(2018)
Sgr A* envelope explosion and the young stars in the centre of the Milky Way
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Nayakshin S
(2017)
Dawes Review 7: The Tidal Downsizing Hypothesis of Planet Formation
in Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia
Nayakshin Sergei
(2016)
A desert of gas giant planets beyond tens of au
in arXiv e-prints
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
Nixon C
(2018)
The origin of the structure of large-scale magnetic fields in disc galaxies
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Nixon C
(2016)
Astrophysical Black Holes
Nixon C
(2018)
The Maximum Mass Solar Nebula and the early formation of planets
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
Panic O
(2020)
TW Hya: an old protoplanetary disc revived by its planet
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Paterson K
(2020)
Discovery of the Optical Afterglow and Host Galaxy of Short GRB 181123B at z = 1.754: Implications for Delay Time Distributions
in The Astrophysical Journal
Patruno A
(2017)
Radio Pulse Search and X-Ray Monitoring of SAX J1808.4-3658: What Causes Its Orbital Evolution?
in The Astrophysical Journal
Pei L
(2017)
Space Telescope and Optical Reverberation Mapping Project. V. Optical Spectroscopic Campaign and Emission-line Analysis for NGC 5548
in The Astrophysical Journal
Perley D
(2017)
Late-time VLA reobservations rule out ULIRG-like host galaxies for most pre- Swift long-duration gamma-ray bursts
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Perley D
(2016)
THE SWIFT GAMMA-RAY BURST HOST GALAXY LEGACY SURVEY. I. SAMPLE SELECTION AND REDSHIFT DISTRIBUTION
in The Astrophysical Journal
Perley D
(2016)
THE SWIFT GRB HOST GALAXY LEGACY SURVEY. II. REST-FRAME NEAR-IR LUMINOSITY DISTRIBUTION AND EVIDENCE FOR A NEAR-SOLAR METALLICITY THRESHOLD
in The Astrophysical Journal
Perley D
(2016)
Long-Duration Gamma-Ray Burst Host Galaxies in Emission and Absorption
in Space Science Reviews
Pian E
(2017)
Spectroscopic identification of r-process nucleosynthesis in a double neutron-star merger.
in Nature
Pounds K
(2016)
Imprints of a high-velocity wind on the soft X-ray spectrum of PG1211+143
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Pounds K
(2018)
An ultra-fast inflow in the luminous Seyfert PG1211+143
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Prentice S. J.
(2018)
Investigating the properties of stripped-envelope supernovae; what are the implications for their progenitors?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Preval S
(2017)
Hot DA white dwarf model atmosphere calculations: including improved Ni PI cross-sections
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 | 10/2017 |
| 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 |