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
Roy A
(2021)
Revised estimates of CMB B -mode polarization induced by patchy reionization
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Rosotti GP
(2016)
The minimum mass of detectable planets in protoplanetary discs and the derivation of planetary masses from high-resolution observations.
in Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Rosotti G
(2019)
On the millimetre continuum flux-radius correlation of proto-planetary discs
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Rosotti G
(2018)
The evolution of photoevaporating viscous discs in binaries
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Rosotti G
(2017)
Constraining proto-planetary disc evolution using accretion rate and disc mass measurements: the usefulness of the dimensionless accretion parameter
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Rosotti G
(2020)
The efficiency of dust trapping in ringed proto-planetary discs
Rosotti G
(2017)
The origin of the eccentricity of the hot Jupiter in CI Tau
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Rosotti G
(2020)
The efficiency of dust trapping in ringed protoplanetary discs
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Rosotti G
(2017)
The origin of the eccentricity of the hot Jupiter in CI Tau
Rosotti G
(2020)
High resolution observations of molecular emission lines toward the CI Tau proto-planetary disc: planet-carved gaps or shadowing?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Rosotti G
(2020)
Spiral arms in the protoplanetary disc HD100453 detected with ALMA: evidence for binary-disc interaction and a vertical temperature gradient
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Rosotti G
(2018)
The evolution of photoevaporating viscous discs in binaries
Rose T
(2019)
Deep and narrow CO absorption revealing molecular clouds in the Hydra-A brightest cluster galaxy
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Rose T
(2020)
A molecular absorption line survey towards the AGN of Hydra-A
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Rose T
(2019)
Constraining cold accretion on to supermassive black holes: molecular gas in the cores of eight brightest cluster galaxies revealed by joint CO and CN absorption
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Rosdahl J
(2018)
The SPHINX Cosmological Simulations of the First Billion Years: the Impact of Binary Stars on Reionization?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Rosa A
(2018)
Accretion in strong field gravity with eXTP
in Science China Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy
Rorai A
(2017)
Exploring the thermal state of the low-density intergalactic medium at z = 3 with an ultrahigh signal-to-noise QSO spectrum
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Rorai A
(2018)
A new measurement of the intergalactic temperature at z ~ 2.55-2.95
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Rogers L
(2020)
Near-infrared variability in dusty white dwarfs: tracing the accretion of planetary material
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Rodriguez J
(2018)
Multiple Stellar Flybys Sculpting the Circumstellar Architecture in RW Aurigae
in The Astrophysical Journal
Roberts L
(2016)
CHARACTERIZATION of the COMPANION µ HER
Roberts Jr. L
(2016)
CHARACTERIZATION OF THE COMPANION µ HER
in The Astronomical Journal
Rivera A
(2020)
Characterizing Quasar C iv Emission-line Measurements from Time-resolved Spectroscopy
in The Astrophysical Journal
Rigley J
(2020)
Dust size and spatial distributions in debris discs: predictions for exozodiacal dust dragged in from an exo-Kuiper belt
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Richardson C
(2016)
Interpreting the ionization sequence in star-forming galaxy emission-line spectra
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Richard-Laferrière A
(2020)
On the relation between mini-halos and AGN feedback in clusters of galaxies
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Ricci C
(2017)
The close environments of accreting massive black holes are shaped by radiative feedback
in Nature
Ricci C
(2020)
The Destruction and Recreation of the X-Ray Corona in a Changing-look Active Galactic Nucleus
in The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Ricci C
(2018)
BAT AGN Spectroscopic Survey - XII. The relation between coronal properties of active galactic nuclei and the Eddington ratio
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Reynolds C
(2020)
Astrophysical Limits on Very Light Axion-like Particles from Chandra Grating Spectroscopy of NGC 1275
in The Astrophysical Journal
Remazeilles M
(2018)
Exploring cosmic origins with CORE: B -mode component separation
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Relaño M
(2016)
Dust properties in H II regions in M 33
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Relaño M
(2018)
Spatially resolving the dust properties and submillimetre excess in M 33
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Reed S
(2017)
Eight new luminous z = 6 quasars discovered via SED model fitting of VISTA, WISE and Dark Energy Survey Year 1 observations
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society