Astronomy Observation and Theory Consolidated Grant 2016-2019
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Institute of Astronomy
Abstract
This proposal is for a single Consolidated Grant to support the majority of research in Theoretical and Observational Astronomy and Astrophysics at the Institute of Astronomy (IoA) in Cambridge.
The theoretical research profile includes work to understand the origin of the Universe itself. Members of the IoA play a leading role in the European Space Agency Planck mission, and will lead a definitive determination of the parameters that both define the geometry of the Universe and quantify the age, size, dark matter, dark energy and baryonic content. The research links to one of the key goals in astrophysics: constraining the properties of the dark matter and dark energy content of the Universe.
The Universe today is filled with galaxies, of which our own Milky Way is a not atypical example. A full understanding of galaxy formation and evolution requires multiple lines of attack. Observations of the resolved stellar populations in the Milky Way and its Local Group companions provide a detailed fossil record of the dynamical assemblies of the galaxies, the formation of stars, and the buildup of heavy elements over a wide range of mass scales and initial conditions. At the other end of the scale, observations of distant galaxies spanning lookback times of up to 12 Gyr provide direct measurements of the evolution of galaxy populations and the buildup of stars and metals with cosmic time. Finally, measurements of the large-scale star formation and abundance properties of nearby galaxies form a vital astrophysical bridge between the studies of nearby resolved stellar populations and the distant high-redshift investigations, by allowing us to characterise the evolutionary properties of the Hubble sequence and the complex "gastrophysical" processes that regulate the accretion of gas and the formation of stars in galaxies.
It is now recognised that there is an intimate link between the evolution of galaxies and the origin and properties of super-massive black holes, which reside at the centre of the Milky Way and other galaxies. The regions close to black holes allow the exploration of physics at the extremes. The formation and properties of super-massive black holes and their relation to the galaxies in which they reside is a research theme that involves theory, X-ray astrophysics and observational programmes in the grant.
Within galaxies, the grant focuses on star formation, from the giant molecular clouds which give birth to stars, down to the more detailed investigations of the processes that lead to the formation of stars and star clusters within these molecular clouds. The investigations will combine state-of-the-art numerical simulations with analytical theories. The quest to study planetary systems around stars and their formation is another key goal. Research activity in the grant covers theoretical work that concentrates on the properties of exoplanets atmospheres, debris discs, discs of asteroids, cometary objects, and dust surrounding stars.
The theoretical research profile includes work to understand the origin of the Universe itself. Members of the IoA play a leading role in the European Space Agency Planck mission, and will lead a definitive determination of the parameters that both define the geometry of the Universe and quantify the age, size, dark matter, dark energy and baryonic content. The research links to one of the key goals in astrophysics: constraining the properties of the dark matter and dark energy content of the Universe.
The Universe today is filled with galaxies, of which our own Milky Way is a not atypical example. A full understanding of galaxy formation and evolution requires multiple lines of attack. Observations of the resolved stellar populations in the Milky Way and its Local Group companions provide a detailed fossil record of the dynamical assemblies of the galaxies, the formation of stars, and the buildup of heavy elements over a wide range of mass scales and initial conditions. At the other end of the scale, observations of distant galaxies spanning lookback times of up to 12 Gyr provide direct measurements of the evolution of galaxy populations and the buildup of stars and metals with cosmic time. Finally, measurements of the large-scale star formation and abundance properties of nearby galaxies form a vital astrophysical bridge between the studies of nearby resolved stellar populations and the distant high-redshift investigations, by allowing us to characterise the evolutionary properties of the Hubble sequence and the complex "gastrophysical" processes that regulate the accretion of gas and the formation of stars in galaxies.
It is now recognised that there is an intimate link between the evolution of galaxies and the origin and properties of super-massive black holes, which reside at the centre of the Milky Way and other galaxies. The regions close to black holes allow the exploration of physics at the extremes. The formation and properties of super-massive black holes and their relation to the galaxies in which they reside is a research theme that involves theory, X-ray astrophysics and observational programmes in the grant.
Within galaxies, the grant focuses on star formation, from the giant molecular clouds which give birth to stars, down to the more detailed investigations of the processes that lead to the formation of stars and star clusters within these molecular clouds. The investigations will combine state-of-the-art numerical simulations with analytical theories. The quest to study planetary systems around stars and their formation is another key goal. Research activity in the grant covers theoretical work that concentrates on the properties of exoplanets atmospheres, debris discs, discs of asteroids, cometary objects, and dust surrounding stars.
Planned Impact
The Institute of Astronomy ensures all students, postdocs and staff are actively involved both in delivering high value science, and also engaging and stimulating a variety of additional knowledge creation activities, focussing on public awareness, and on applications of research developments in medical, space-industry and commercial spheres.
The University of Cambridge has one of the most successful programmes for nurturing knowledge transfer and resulting economic and societal impact between University departments and industry both in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. The extraordinarily successful Cambridge Science Park is well known, with expertise and ideas from Cambridge Astrophysics being involved in the establishment of several businesses in the Cambridge area.
The IoA's approach to the search for impact opportunities is embedded in the mechanisms that the University has in place to facilitate this. The University's Research Office provides the primary point of contact for corporate liaison, and is actively involved in pursuing impact and knowledge exchange activities and opportunities throughout the University. Cambridge Enterprise, the University's technology transfer and entrepreneurship arm, exists to enhance the University of Cambridge's contribution to society through knowledge transfer from the University to the community. The Institute of Astronomy members interact with these organisations regularly. Engagement with the wider economic community is supported
by a Collaborative Research Facilitator, based in the Cavendish Laboratory, who is able to provide advice on relevant networking and funding opportunities.
In summary, the research carried out at the IoA supported through this will lead to a wide range of impacts across a broad range of areas. From direct and specific impact in the application of analysis techniques to problems in the medical field, in the gaming industry, to inspirational outreach programmes engaging with those teaching the next generation of scientists.
The University of Cambridge has one of the most successful programmes for nurturing knowledge transfer and resulting economic and societal impact between University departments and industry both in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. The extraordinarily successful Cambridge Science Park is well known, with expertise and ideas from Cambridge Astrophysics being involved in the establishment of several businesses in the Cambridge area.
The IoA's approach to the search for impact opportunities is embedded in the mechanisms that the University has in place to facilitate this. The University's Research Office provides the primary point of contact for corporate liaison, and is actively involved in pursuing impact and knowledge exchange activities and opportunities throughout the University. Cambridge Enterprise, the University's technology transfer and entrepreneurship arm, exists to enhance the University of Cambridge's contribution to society through knowledge transfer from the University to the community. The Institute of Astronomy members interact with these organisations regularly. Engagement with the wider economic community is supported
by a Collaborative Research Facilitator, based in the Cavendish Laboratory, who is able to provide advice on relevant networking and funding opportunities.
In summary, the research carried out at the IoA supported through this will lead to a wide range of impacts across a broad range of areas. From direct and specific impact in the application of analysis techniques to problems in the medical field, in the gaming industry, to inspirational outreach programmes engaging with those teaching the next generation of scientists.
Organisations
Publications
Ishibashi W
(2019)
Radiation pattern and outflow geometry: a new probe of black hole spin?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Ishibashi W
(2017)
AGN radiative feedback in dusty quasar populations
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Ishibashi W
(2019)
Radiation pattern and outflow geometry: A new probe of black hole spin
Ishibashi W
(2021)
AGN-driven galactic outflows: comparing models to observations
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Ishibashi W
(2017)
Ultramassive black hole feedback in compact galaxies
Ishibashi W
(2018)
The energetics of AGN radiation pressure-driven outflows
Ishibashi W
(2018)
Variations on a theme of AGN-driven outflows: luminosity evolution and ambient density distribution
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Iwasawa K
(2016)
Highly ionized disc and transient outflows in the Seyfert galaxy IRAS 18325-5926
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Izquierdo P
(2018)
Fast spectrophotometry of WD 1145+017
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Izzard R
(2018)
Binary stars in the Galactic thick disc
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Izzard R
(2018)
Binary stars in the Galactic thick disc
Jackman J
(2020)
NGTS clusters survey - II. White-light flares from the youngest stars in Orion
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jackman J
(2019)
NGTS-7Ab: an ultrashort-period brown dwarf transiting a tidally locked and active M dwarf
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jahandar F
(2017)
The peculiar globular cluster Palomar 1 and persistence in the SDSS-APOGEE data base
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jaisawal G
(2019)
An Evolving Broad Iron Line from the First Galactic Ultraluminous X-Ray Pulsar Swift J0243.6+6124
in The Astrophysical Journal
James B
(2017)
Blue diffuse dwarf galaxies: a clearer picture
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
James B
(2020)
Exploring chemical homogeneity in dwarf galaxies: a VLT- MUSE study of JKB 18
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
James B
(2018)
Mapping UV properties throughout the Cosmic Horseshoe: lessons from VLT-MUSE
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
James B
(2017)
Blue diffuse dwarf galaxies: a clearer picture
Jeffreson S
(2017)
The Gaia-ESO Survey: dynamical models of flattened, rotating globular clusters
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jethwa P
(2016)
A Magellanic origin of the DES dwarfs
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jethwa P
(2018)
Discovery of a thin stellar stream in the SLAMS survey
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jethwa P
(2018)
The upper bound on the lowest mass halo
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jiang (?) J
(2019)
A relativistic disc reflection model for 1H0419-577: Multi-epoch spectral analysis with XMM-Newton and NuSTAR
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jiang (???) J
(2018)
The ultrafast outflow of WKK 4438: Suzaku and NuSTAR X-ray spectral analysis
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jiang J
(2019)
High Density Reflection Spectroscopy - II. The density of the inner black hole accretion disc in AGN
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jiang J
(2021)
The awakening beast in the Seyfert 1 Galaxy KUG 1141+371 - I
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jiang J
(2020)
A NuSTAR view of GRS 1716-249 in the hard and intermediate states
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jiang J
(2020)
A disc reflection model for ultra-soft narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jiang J
(2019)
High-density reflection spectroscopy: I. A case study of GX 339-4
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jiang(???) J
(2018)
The 1.5 Ms observing campaign on IRAS 13224-3809 - I. X-ray spectral analysis
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jofré P
(2017)
Climbing the cosmic ladder with stellar twins in RAVE with Gaia
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jofré P
(2017)
Climbing the cosmic ladder with stellar twins in RAVE with Gaia
Jones G
(2016)
NEW CONSTRAINTS ON THE MOLECULAR GAS IN THE PROTOTYPICAL HyLIRGs BRI 1202-0725 AND BRI 1335-0417
in The Astrophysical Journal
Kacharov N
(2017)
Prolate rotation and metallicity gradient in the transforming dwarf galaxy Phoenix
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Kahane C
(2018)
First Measurement of the 14 N/ 15 N Ratio in the Analog of the Sun Progenitor OMC-2 FIR4
in The Astrophysical Journal
Kahre L
(2018)
Extinction Maps and Dust-to-gas Ratios in Nearby Galaxies with LEGUS
in The Astrophysical Journal
Kalaja A
(2022)
The reconstructed CMB lensing bispectrum
Kalaja A
(2023)
The reconstructed CMB lensing bispectrum
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Kalaja A
(2023)
The reconstructed CMB lensing bispectrum
Kama M
(2020)
Mass constraints for 15 protoplanetary discs from HD 1-0
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Kama M
(2020)
Mass constraints for 15 protoplanetary discs from HD 1-0
Kama M
(2019)
Abundant Refractory Sulfur in Protoplanetary Disks
in The Astrophysical Journal