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
Oldham L
(2016)
Is there substructure around M87?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Okamoto S.
(2017)
Population gradient in Sextans dSph: Comprehensive mapping of a dwarf galaxy by Suprime-Cam
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Okamoto S
(2017)
Population gradient in Sextans dSph: Comprehensive mapping of a dwarf galaxy by Suprime-Cam
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Oh S
(2018)
Kronos and Krios: Evidence for Accretion of a Massive, Rocky Planetary System in a Comoving Pair of Solar-type Stars
in The Astrophysical Journal
Oh S
(2020)
Kinematic modelling of clusters with Gaia : the death throes of the Hyades
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Ogorzalek A
(2017)
Improved measurements of turbulence in the hot gaseous atmospheres of nearby giant elliptical galaxies
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Odaka H
(2016)
Sensitivity of the Fe Ka Compton shoulder to the geometry and variability of the X-ray illumination of cosmic objects
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
O'Hare C
(2018)
Dark matter hurricane: Measuring the S1 stream with dark matter detectors
in Physical Review D
O'Hare C
(2020)
Velocity substructure from Gaia and direct searches for dark matter
in Physical Review D
Norfolk B
(2021)
Dust traps and the formation of cavities in transition discs: a millimetre to sub-millimetre comparison survey
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Nilsson R
(2017)
Project 1640 Observations of Brown Dwarf GJ 758 B: Near-infrared Spectrum and Atmospheric Modeling
in The Astrophysical Journal
Nikolov N
(2018)
An absolute sodium abundance for a cloud-free 'hot Saturn' exoplanet.
in Nature
Nidever D
(2019)
Spectroscopy of the Young Stellar Association Price-Whelan 1: Origin in the Magellanic Leading Arm and Constraints on the Milky Way Hot Halo
in The Astrophysical Journal
Neilsen J
(2018)
A Persistent Disk Wind in GRS 1915+105 with NICER
in The Astrophysical Journal
Necib L
(2019)
Inferred Evidence for Dark Matter Kinematic Substructure with SDSS- Gaia
in The Astrophysical Journal
Nazari P
(2019)
Revealing signatures of planets migrating in protoplanetary discs with ALMA multiwavelength observations
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Navarrete C
(2016)
A fork in the Sagittarius trailing debris
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Navarrete C
(2019)
Stellar streams around the Magellanic Clouds in 4D
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Navarrete C
(2017)
The Discovery of Tidal Tails around the Globular Cluster NGC 7492 with Pan-STARRS1
in The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Natoli P
(2018)
Exploring cosmic origins with CORE: Mitigation of systematic effects
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Nasir F
(2017)
The effect of stellar and AGN feedback on the low-redshift Lyman a forest in the Sherwood simulation suite
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Naik A
(2019)
Constraints on chameleon f(R)-gravity from galaxy rotation curves of the SPARC sample
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Naik A
(2020)
Stellar streams in chameleon gravity
in Physical Review D
Myeong G
(2019)
Evidence for two early accretion events that built the Milky Way stellar halo
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Myeong G
(2018)
The Milky Way Halo in Action Space
in The Astrophysical Journal
Myeong G
(2018)
Discovery of new retrograde substructures: the shards of ? Centauri?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Myeong G
(2018)
The Sausage Globular Clusters
in The Astrophysical Journal
Myeong G
(2018)
The Milky Way Halo in Action Space
Myeong G
(2017)
A halo substructure in Gaia Data Release 1
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Myeong G
(2017)
A Halo Substructure in Gaia Data Release 1
Myeong G
(2018)
The Sausage Globular Clusters
Myeong G
(2018)
Halo substructure in the SDSS--Gaia catalogue: streams and clumps
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Murphy E
(2018)
The Star Formation in Radio Survey: Jansky Very Large Array 33 GHz Observations of Nearby Galaxy Nuclei and Extranuclear Star-forming Regions
in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
Muro-Arena G
(2020)
Spirals inside the millimeter cavity of transition disk SR 21
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Muro-Arena G
(2020)
Spirals inside the millimeter cavity of transition disk SR 21
Mundo S
(2020)
The origin of X-ray emission in the gamma-ray emitting narrow-line Seyfert 1 1H 0323+342
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Mudd D
(2018)
Quasar Accretion Disk Sizes from Continuum Reverberation Mapping from the Dark Energy Survey
in The Astrophysical Journal
Mudd D
(2017)
Discovery of a z = 0.65 post-starburst BAL quasar in the DES supernova fields
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society