Astrophysics at the University of Bath
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bath
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
Gamma Ray Bursts are the instantaneously most luminous explosions in the Universe and, as such, act as bright beacons for probing the conditions in the early Universe as well as being important objects in their own right for the study of extreme physics in the presence of strong gravity, large magnetic fields and ultra-high speed accelerations in which outflowing material reaches speeds close to that of light.
Despite decades of study, however, the physics of GRBs remains a mystery.
The most direct probe of the explosion and ejection physics comes from special properties of the light emitted by the ejected material - namely its polarisation. The degree and evolution of the polarisation of the light gives a direct measure of the properties of the magnetic fields in the GRB that may be responsible for focusing and accelerating the material ejected in the explosion.
The location and time of occurrence of a GRB cannot be predicted, so advanced robotic telescopes on the ground and in space have been developed to catch the light from a GRB and alert other telescopes to the location and properties of the burst.
We use the world's largest fully autonomous robotic optical telescopes, equipped with novel software and instrumentation, to followup discoveries of GRBs by high-energy satellites and to measure the properties and evolution of the optical light at very early time after the initial explosion - in particular the polarisation properties - when the fundamental properties are still encoded in the detected light and before collision with the surrounding circumburst medium erases the signature of those properties.
Despite decades of study, however, the physics of GRBs remains a mystery.
The most direct probe of the explosion and ejection physics comes from special properties of the light emitted by the ejected material - namely its polarisation. The degree and evolution of the polarisation of the light gives a direct measure of the properties of the magnetic fields in the GRB that may be responsible for focusing and accelerating the material ejected in the explosion.
The location and time of occurrence of a GRB cannot be predicted, so advanced robotic telescopes on the ground and in space have been developed to catch the light from a GRB and alert other telescopes to the location and properties of the burst.
We use the world's largest fully autonomous robotic optical telescopes, equipped with novel software and instrumentation, to followup discoveries of GRBs by high-energy satellites and to measure the properties and evolution of the optical light at very early time after the initial explosion - in particular the polarisation properties - when the fundamental properties are still encoded in the detected light and before collision with the surrounding circumburst medium erases the signature of those properties.
Planned Impact
The novel instrumentation and software developed for the cutting-edge research into the physics of GRBs drives further upskilling/technology development in the small to medium enterprises with whom we work closely to create new solutions to our blue-skies research problems and which, in turn, has resulted in the opening of new capabilities and markets to these companies.
The wider impact across the eduction sector is also an imperative in which end-to-end solutions are highlighted taking cutting-edge blue skies research ideas through concept design, prototyping, implementation and into discovery and feedback to industrial partners.
This has been successful on a relatively small level at LJMU. Developing this further in collaboration with local industry and fundamental research into photonics at the University of Bath will be key over coming years.
The wider impact across the eduction sector is also an imperative in which end-to-end solutions are highlighted taking cutting-edge blue skies research ideas through concept design, prototyping, implementation and into discovery and feedback to industrial partners.
This has been successful on a relatively small level at LJMU. Developing this further in collaboration with local industry and fundamental research into photonics at the University of Bath will be key over coming years.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Carole Mundell (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Steele I. A.
(2016)
Spectroscopic Classification of MASTER OT J222817.90-145657.4 as a dwarf nova outburst
in The Astronomer's Telegram
Steele I. A.
(2016)
GRB 160925A: Optical spectroscopy of MASTER optical transient.
in GRB Coordinates Network
Stanway E
(2014)
GRB 080517: a local, low-luminosity gamma-ray burst in a dusty galaxy at z = 0.09
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Soffitta P
(2016)
XIPE: the x-ray imaging polarimetry explorer
Mundell C. G.
(2016)
Liverpool Telescope classification of ATLAS16bdg as a Type Ia supernova near maximum light
in The Astronomer's Telegram
Melandri A.
(2015)
GRB 150309A : Liverpool Telescope observations.
in GRB Coordinates Network
Laskar T
(2016)
A REVERSE SHOCK IN GRB 160509A
in The Astrophysical Journal
Kopac? D
(2015)
LIMITS ON OPTICAL POLARIZATION DURING THE PROMPT PHASE OF GRB 140430A
in The Astrophysical Journal
Kopac D.
(2015)
Looking inside jets: optical polarimetry as a probe of Gamma-Ray Bursts physics
in The Extremes of Black Hole Accretion
Kopac D.
(2015)
Swift 650221/IGR J00291+5934: Liverpool Telescope observations.
in GRB Coordinates Network
Description | As per previous submission; completed. |
Exploitation Route | Research remains cuttiing edge, driving new technology development and international collaborations |
Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Electronics,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Government, Democracy and Justice,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections,Security and Diplomacy,Other |
Description | Public engagement & invited policy commentary |
First Year Of Impact | 2015 |
Sector | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism |
Impact Types | Cultural,Societal,Policy & public services |
Description | BathTaps |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Bath Taps into Science Festival 2016 - keynote lecture on black holes. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | http://www.bath.ac.uk/math-sci/extracurricular/bathtaps/ |
Description | Expert science commentary pieces for The Conversation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | https://theconversation.com/are-aliens-trying-to-tell-us-something-brightest-burst-of-radio-waves-detected-68992 (278k readers) also picked up by Mail Online: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3948952/Is-ET-trying-contact-Astronomers-home-source-mysterious-alien-signals-heading-Earth.html https://theconversation.com/message-from-aliens-or-colliding-objects-the-hunt-for-enigmatic-radio-bursts-is-about-to-get-real-55965 (13k readers) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3948952/Is-ET-trying-contact-Astronomers-home-source-... |
Description | IAU Symposium 324 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Co-chair of IAU Symposium 324 New Frontiers in Black Hole Astrophysics including national media (TV) interviews |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | http://www.blackholes2016.si/ |
Description | National Press |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | National and international coverage - print and online media e.g. Daily Mail, Express, Mirror etc, TV (BBC Breakfast), international online media. Estimated audience reach ~15million in 5 days. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4732442/Gamma-ray-burst-captured-unprecedented-detail... |
Description | National Student Space conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | National Student Space Conference - keynote address. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | http://ukseds.org/nssc2017/ |
Description | Space Policy article |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Invited policy article for Bath Institute of Policy Research on manned and commercial space technology, policy and legislation. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | http://blogs.bath.ac.uk/iprblog/2018/01/24/have-rocket-will-travel-or-the-road-to-space-is-paved-wit... |
Description | Wide range of national engagement activities to large audiences |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Wide range of engagement activities including New Scientist Live (Excel Arena) http://bit.ly/2CkbHxj (~900-1000 general public), TTP Education Convention 'Science in Action http://bit.ly/2orqNIG (~900-1000 GCSE pupils). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:KlOsjiTHnxQJ:https://live.newscientist.com/tal... |