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
Ansdell M
(2020)
Are inner disc misalignments common? ALMA reveals an isotropic outer disc inclination distribution for young dipper stars
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Chehade B
(2016)
The 2QDES Pilot: the luminosity and redshift dependence of quasar clustering
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Mackey A
(2016)
A 10 kpc stellar substructure at the edge of the Large Magellanic Cloud: perturbed outer disc or evidence for tidal stripping?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Deason A
(2019)
The local high-velocity tail and the Galactic escape speed
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Buisson D
(2018)
Is there a UV/X-ray connection in IRAS 13224-3809?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Read J
(2021)
Breaking beta: a comparison of mass modelling methods for spherical systems
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Grupe D
(2019)
Swift, NuStar and XMM-Newton observations of the NLS1 galaxy RX J2317.8-4422 in an extreme X-ray low flux state
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Wyatt M
(2019)
Susceptibility of planetary atmospheres to mass loss and growth by planetesimal impacts: the impact shoreline
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Winter A
(2018)
Protoplanetary disc truncation mechanisms in stellar clusters: comparing external photoevaporation and tidal encounters
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Fabian A
(2020)
The soft state of the black hole transient source MAXI J1820+070: emission from the edge of the plunge region?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Smith M
(2019)
Cosmological simulations of dwarfs: the need for ISM physics beyond SN feedback alone
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Delrez L
(2018)
High-precision multiwavelength eclipse photometry of the ultra-hot gas giant exoplanet WASP-103 b
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Ilee J
(2017)
The chemistry of protoplanetary fragments formed via gravitational instabilities
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Pinhas A
(2019)
H2O abundances and cloud properties in ten hot giant exoplanets
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Cotton D
(2019)
The wavelength dependence of interstellar polarization in the Local Hot Bubble
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Walker S
(2018)
What fraction of the density fluctuations in the Perseus cluster core is due to gas sloshing rather than AGN feedback?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Oh S
(2020)
Kinematic modelling of clusters with Gaia : the death throes of the Hyades
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Penoyre Z
(2017)
The origin and evolution of fast and slow rotators in the Illustris simulation
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Boubert D
(2017)
Hypervelocity runaways from the Large Magellanic Cloud
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
Kumari N
(2018)
O/H-N/O: the curious case of NGC 4670
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Lacy M
(2021)
A Spitzer survey of Deep Drilling Fields to be targeted by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Lilley E
(2018)
The super-NFW model: an analytic dynamical model for cold dark matter haloes and elliptical galaxies
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Comerford T
(2019)
Bondi-Hoyle-Lyttleton accretion by binary stars
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
Katz H
(2022)
The nature of high [O iii ]88 µ m/[C ii ]158 µm galaxies in the epoch of reionization: Low carbon abundance and a top-heavy IMF?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Kulkarni G
(2016)
Models of the cosmological 21 cm signal from the epoch of reionization calibrated with Ly a and CMB data
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Alaghband-Zadeh S
(2016)
Heavily reddened z ~ 2 Type 1 quasars - II. H a star formation constraints from SINFONI IFU observations
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Haworth T
(2016)
Rapid radiative clearing of protoplanetary discs
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Molaro M
(2022)
The effect of inhomogeneous reionization on the Lyman a forest power spectrum at redshift z > 4: implications for thermal parameter recovery
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Panic O
(2021)
Planet formation in intermediate-separation binary systems
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Russell H
(2017)
Close entrainment of massive molecular gas flows by radio bubbles in the central galaxy of Abell 1795
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Boubert D.
(2019)
Lessons from the curious case of the `fastest' star in Gaia DR2
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Vasudevan R
(2016)
A selection effect boosting the contribution from rapidly spinning black holes to the cosmic X-ray background
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Torrealba G
(2019)
Nine tiny star clusters in Gaia DR1, PS1, and DES
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Haehnelt M
(2020)
Probing delayed-end reionization histories with the 21-cm LAE cross-power spectrum
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Liao W
(2020)
Discovery of a Candidate Binary Supermassive Black Hole in a Periodic Quasar from Circumbinary Accretion Variability
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Hamer S
(2016)
Optical emission line nebulae in galaxy cluster cores 1: the morphological, kinematic and spectral properties of the sample
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
García J
(2016)
The effects of high density on the X-ray spectrum reflected from accretion discs around black holes
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Nazari P
(2019)
Revealing signatures of planets migrating in protoplanetary discs with ALMA multiwavelength observations
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Liu H
(2020)
The inner gas mass-temperature profile in the core of nearby galaxy clusters
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Šoltinskí T
(2021)
The detectability of strong 21 centimetre forest absorbers from the diffuse intergalactic medium in late reionisation models
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Bowden A
(2016)
Is the dark halo of the Milky Way prolate?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Welbanks L
(2020)
Assessing spectra and thermal inversions due to TiO in hot Jupiter atmospheres
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Gillen E
(2020)
NGTS clusters survey - I. Rotation in the young benchmark open cluster Blanco 1
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Buisson D
(2018)
Coronal temperatures of the AGN ESO 103-035 and IGR 2124.7+5058 from NuSTAR observations
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Pinto C
(2017)
From ultraluminous X-ray sources to ultraluminous supersoft sources: NGC 55 ULX, the missing link
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Kosec P
(2020)
Detection of a variable ultrafast outflow in the narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy PG 1448+273
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Childress M
(2017)
OzDES multifibre spectroscopy for the Dark Energy Survey: 3-yr results and first data release
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Bacchus E
(2017)
Project 1640 observations of the white dwarf HD 114174 B
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society