Astrophysics Consolidated Grant 2019-22
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: Mullard Space Science Laboratory
Abstract
This consolidated grant application comprises a portfolio of related projects across the fields of astrophysics and instrumentation.
The astrophysics projects are in three strands: high energy astrophysics; galaxy formation & evolution; and cosmology. These each have a direct and influential connection with the space facilities by which each field is or will be transformed. This is the particular advantage held by the Group, providing a noteworthy dimension to the work we propose. However our programme is by no means limited by MSSL hardware exploitation or even the exploitation of missions flying our hardware. Rather, every route available is considered, including ground-based facilities, when gathering the data necessary to understand the science questions that we address and that have been identified by STFC as being important. The Consolidated Grant also sets the foundation for the expoitation of future missions including JWST, Euclid, PLATO, Athena, IXPE and potentially eXTP and STROBE-X, in which we have significant roles.
Our instrumentation research is focused on the development of a scanning infrared detector.
We present eight projects, aligned with these four fields of expertise. In order, these are three cases in high energy astrophysics/extreme gravity environments (Wu, Zane); two cases in galaxy formation and evolution (one by Kawata, Ferreras, Cropper and one by Page); two cases in cosmology (McEwen, Kitching); and a technical case for the development of a scanning infrared (Cropper), which is an investment in a critical space technology for the future.
The astrophysics projects are in three strands: high energy astrophysics; galaxy formation & evolution; and cosmology. These each have a direct and influential connection with the space facilities by which each field is or will be transformed. This is the particular advantage held by the Group, providing a noteworthy dimension to the work we propose. However our programme is by no means limited by MSSL hardware exploitation or even the exploitation of missions flying our hardware. Rather, every route available is considered, including ground-based facilities, when gathering the data necessary to understand the science questions that we address and that have been identified by STFC as being important. The Consolidated Grant also sets the foundation for the expoitation of future missions including JWST, Euclid, PLATO, Athena, IXPE and potentially eXTP and STROBE-X, in which we have significant roles.
Our instrumentation research is focused on the development of a scanning infrared detector.
We present eight projects, aligned with these four fields of expertise. In order, these are three cases in high energy astrophysics/extreme gravity environments (Wu, Zane); two cases in galaxy formation and evolution (one by Kawata, Ferreras, Cropper and one by Page); two cases in cosmology (McEwen, Kitching); and a technical case for the development of a scanning infrared (Cropper), which is an investment in a critical space technology for the future.
Planned Impact
Beneficiaries:
Members of the UK Science Community, particularly those in Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology, but also those in the statistical methods, numerical methods, imaging techniques and signal processing communities. Those engaged in space instrumentation development both within academia and industry, especially detector manufacturers Teledyne e2v.
Relevance, and how the benefit will accrue:
The broad relevance of the work in the proposed projects lies in the extension of knowledge and understanding of the Cosmos, which is evidently of almost universal interest. There are also specific relevances in infrared detectors (Project 8), with medium-term commercial opportunities. Space science is an inspirational subject and its promotion has real benefit to the UK economy through greater interest in STEM subjects and a generally greater understanding of science and technology amongst the public. Space projects stimulated by space science inquiry lead to direct industrial benefit, enhanced technology, influence and national kudos. MSSL-UCL, is, through its space instrumentation programme (not requested in this grant except for Project 8) and international links to aerospace companies and national agencies, especially engaged in knowledge transfer at all levels, and in a particularly advantaged position to promote these.
The outcomes from these proposed projects will be analyses and conclusions arising from the work in the projects, and will be published, with open access, in learned journals, and so accessible to all. The benefits will initially accrue to other scientists in the fields addressed in the projects, and then, made known to the wider public as and where possible. UCL has embraced the concept of Open Access.
Examples of specific activities designed to increase impact include:
1) the cooperative engagement of the biomedical and signal processing communities with the astronomical through the BASP meetings (see case) to share and enhance the capability for fundamental information theory approaches in the statistical treatment of surveys and imaging, given noise, biases and incomplete data. This has wide-reaching implications for treatment of extremely large datasets, with applicability in many disciplines, from the financial to engineering to medical and the public policy sphere.
2) through the Euclid work (Project 7) identifying with exquisite detail the extent to which large astronomic surveys can inform detector characteristics (systematic effects, radiation, noise behaviour) to be provided through the instrumentation team to CCD manufacturers Teledyne e2v;
4) the development of a high performance infrared detector that is suitable for scanning applications in collaboration with Teledyne e2V.
Members of the UK Science Community, particularly those in Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology, but also those in the statistical methods, numerical methods, imaging techniques and signal processing communities. Those engaged in space instrumentation development both within academia and industry, especially detector manufacturers Teledyne e2v.
Relevance, and how the benefit will accrue:
The broad relevance of the work in the proposed projects lies in the extension of knowledge and understanding of the Cosmos, which is evidently of almost universal interest. There are also specific relevances in infrared detectors (Project 8), with medium-term commercial opportunities. Space science is an inspirational subject and its promotion has real benefit to the UK economy through greater interest in STEM subjects and a generally greater understanding of science and technology amongst the public. Space projects stimulated by space science inquiry lead to direct industrial benefit, enhanced technology, influence and national kudos. MSSL-UCL, is, through its space instrumentation programme (not requested in this grant except for Project 8) and international links to aerospace companies and national agencies, especially engaged in knowledge transfer at all levels, and in a particularly advantaged position to promote these.
The outcomes from these proposed projects will be analyses and conclusions arising from the work in the projects, and will be published, with open access, in learned journals, and so accessible to all. The benefits will initially accrue to other scientists in the fields addressed in the projects, and then, made known to the wider public as and where possible. UCL has embraced the concept of Open Access.
Examples of specific activities designed to increase impact include:
1) the cooperative engagement of the biomedical and signal processing communities with the astronomical through the BASP meetings (see case) to share and enhance the capability for fundamental information theory approaches in the statistical treatment of surveys and imaging, given noise, biases and incomplete data. This has wide-reaching implications for treatment of extremely large datasets, with applicability in many disciplines, from the financial to engineering to medical and the public policy sphere.
2) through the Euclid work (Project 7) identifying with exquisite detail the extent to which large astronomic surveys can inform detector characteristics (systematic effects, radiation, noise behaviour) to be provided through the instrumentation team to CCD manufacturers Teledyne e2v;
4) the development of a high performance infrared detector that is suitable for scanning applications in collaboration with Teledyne e2V.
Organisations
- University College London (Lead Research Organisation)
- SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research (Collaboration)
- Technion - Israel Institute of Technology (Collaboration)
- University of Geneva (Collaboration)
- University of Grenoble (Collaboration)
- National Institute for Astrophysics (Collaboration)
- Space Telescope Science Institute (Collaboration)
Publications
Mereghetti S
(2021)
Time domain astronomy with the THESEUS satellite
in Experimental Astronomy
Liew-Cain C
(2021)
Constraining stellar population parameters from narrow band photometric surveys using convolutional neural networks
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Page M
(2021)
The ultraviolet luminosity function of star-forming galaxies between redshifts of 0.6 and 1.2
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Ferreras I
(2021)
Chronos: A NIR spectroscopic galaxy survey to probe the most fundamental stages of galaxy evolution
in Experimental Astronomy
Loureiro A.
(2021)
KiDS & Euclid: Cosmological implications of a pseudo angular power spectrum analysis of KiDS-1000 cosmic shear tomography
in arXiv e-prints
Van Eylen V
(2021)
Masses and compositions of three small planets orbiting the nearby M dwarf L231-32 (TOI-270) and the M dwarf radius valley
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Soffitta P
(2021)
A polarized view of the hot and violent universe
in Experimental Astronomy
Stanford S. A.
(2021)
VizieR Online Data Catalog: Euclid preparation. XIV. C3R2 survey DR3 (Stanford+, 2021)
in VizieR Online Data Catalog
Georgieva I
(2021)
Hot planets around cool stars - two short-period mini-Neptunes transiting the late K-dwarf TOI-1260
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Miglio A
(2021)
Age dissection of the Milky Way discs: Red giants in the Kepler field
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Yu B
(2021)
Outflows from starburst galaxies with various driving mechanisms and their X-ray properties
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Taylor P
(2021)
Euclid: Forecasts for k-cut 3×2 Point Statistics
in The Open Journal of Astrophysics
Ciuca I
(2021)
Unveiling the distinct formation pathways of the inner and outer discs of the Milky Way with Bayesian Machine Learning
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Horne K
(2021)
Space Telescope and Optical Reverberation Mapping Project. IX. Velocity-Delay Maps for Broad Emission Lines in NGC 5548
in The Astrophysical Journal
Lau J
(2021)
Probabilistic distribution functions
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Grafton-Waters S
(2021)
Photoionisation modelling of the X-ray emission line regions within the Seyfert 2 AGN NGC 1068
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Bonfanti A
(2021)
CHEOPS observations of the HD 108236 planetary system: a fifth planet, improved ephemerides, and planetary radii
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Hobbs D
(2021)
All-sky visible and near infrared space astrometry
in Experimental Astronomy
Stanford S
(2021)
Euclid Preparation. XIV. The Complete Calibration of the Color-Redshift Relation (C3R2) Survey: Data Release 3
in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
Moneti Andrea
(2021)
Euclid preparation: XVIII. Cosmic Dawn Survey. Spitzer observations of the Euclid deep fields and calibration fields
in arXiv e-prints
Owen E
(2021)
Ultra-High-energy Cosmic Rays from beyond the Greisen-Zatsepin-Kuz'min Horizon
in The Astrophysical Journal
Edwards B
(2021)
Original Research By Young Twinkle Students (ORBYTS): Ephemeris Refinement of Transiting Exoplanets III
in Astronomy Theory, Observations & Methods
Nesseris S.
(2021)
Euclid: Forecast constraints on consistency tests of the $\Lambda$CDM model
in arXiv e-prints
Luque R
(2021)
A planetary system with two transiting mini-Neptunes near the radius valley transition around the bright M dwarf TOI-776
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Borghese A
(2021)
The X-ray evolution and geometry of the 2018 outburst of XTE J1810-197
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Lau J
(2021)
Modes of a stellar system II: non-ergodic systems
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Owen E
(2021)
Observational Signatures of Cosmic-Ray Interactions in Molecular Clouds
in The Astrophysical Journal
Mehdipour M
(2021)
Transient obscuration event captured in NGC 3227 I. Continuum model for the broadband spectral energy distribution
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Cagliari M. S.
(2021)
Euclid: Constraining ensemble photometric redshift distributions with stacked spectroscopy
in arXiv e-prints
Crossland Tom
(2021)
Towards Machine Learning-Based Meta-Studies: Applications to Cosmological Parameters
in arXiv e-prints
Munshi D
(2021)
Morphology of weak lensing convergence maps
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Ciolfi R
(2021)
Multi-messenger astrophysics with THESEUS in the 2030s
in Experimental Astronomy
Nicastro F
(2021)
The Voyage of Metals in the Universe from Cosmological to Planetary Scales: the need for a Very High-Resolution, High Throughput Soft X-ray Spectrometer
in Experimental Astronomy
Page M. J.
(2021)
VizieR Online Data Catalog: XMM-OM Serendipitous Source Survey Catalogue (XMM-SUSS5.0) (Page+, 2021)
in VizieR Online Data Catalog
Serenelli A
(2021)
Weighing stars from birth to death: mass determination methods across the HRD
in The Astronomy and Astrophysics Review
Price M
(2021)
Sparse Bayesian mass mapping with uncertainties: hypothesis testing of structure
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Munshi D.
(2021)
A New Estimator for Phase Statistics
in arXiv e-prints
Ferreras I
(2021)
Constraints on the dust extinction law of the Galaxy with Swift /UVOT, Gaia , and 2MASS
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Zelati F
(2021)
The New Magnetar SGR J1830-0645 in Outburst
in The Astrophysical Journal
De Grandis D
(2021)
X-Ray Emission from Isolated Neutron Stars Revisited: 3D Magnetothermal Simulations
in The Astrophysical Journal
Ghirlanda G
(2021)
Gamma ray burst studies with THESEUS
in Experimental Astronomy
Symeonidis M
(2021)
AGN and star formation across cosmic time
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Tanvir N
(2021)
Exploration of the high-redshift universe enabled by THESEUS
in Experimental Astronomy
Marignier Augustin
(2021)
Posterior sampling for inverse imaging problems on the sphere in seismology and cosmology
in arXiv e-prints
Symeonidis M
(2021)
On the intrinsic AGN emission in far-infrared/sub-mm
Miglio A
(2021)
HAYDN High-precision AsteroseismologY of DeNse stellar fields
in Experimental Astronomy
Lam KWF
(2021)
GJ 367b: A dense, ultrashort-period sub-Earth planet transiting a nearby red dwarf star.
in Science (New York, N.Y.)
Brice N
(2021)
Super-eddington emission from accreting, highly magnetized neutron stars with a multipolar magnetic field
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Description | A White Paper on best practices for public engagement with UK space missions |
Geographic Reach | Europe |
Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
Impact | These are early times on the path to make public engagement in UK space missions more widespread and effective. Most of the work in this area is on a voluntary, best effort basis by academic and research staff. The WP argues for a more systematic, organised and well funded support of public engagement activities. Small, individual grant applications for outreach are often the only means to realise activities. Direct interaction by academics, researchers, PhD students with school pupils and teachers, especially in disadvantaged parts of the country, is a very effective, successful and rewarding way to engage the young in space projects. |
Description | Multiwavelength observing campaigns of Seyfert galaxies, still active in 2022 |
Organisation | National Institute for Astrophysics |
Department | Bologna Observatory |
Country | Italy |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Analysis of some of the data (OM, EPIC and RGS) returned by the XMM-Newton Observatory, dissemination of the results by refereed journal papers and presentations. |
Collaborator Contribution | Analysis of the rest of the multiwavelength datasets, dissemination of results by refereed journal papers and presentations. |
Impact | Refereed journal papers, and presentations. There is one discipline (astronomical observing) which is carried out in different wavebands (optical, UV, X-rays). |
Start Year | 2009 |
Description | Multiwavelength observing campaigns of Seyfert galaxies, still active in 2022 |
Organisation | SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research |
Country | Netherlands |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Analysis of some of the data (OM, EPIC and RGS) returned by the XMM-Newton Observatory, dissemination of the results by refereed journal papers and presentations. |
Collaborator Contribution | Analysis of the rest of the multiwavelength datasets, dissemination of results by refereed journal papers and presentations. |
Impact | Refereed journal papers, and presentations. There is one discipline (astronomical observing) which is carried out in different wavebands (optical, UV, X-rays). |
Start Year | 2009 |
Description | Multiwavelength observing campaigns of Seyfert galaxies, still active in 2022 |
Organisation | Space Telescope Science Institute |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Analysis of some of the data (OM, EPIC and RGS) returned by the XMM-Newton Observatory, dissemination of the results by refereed journal papers and presentations. |
Collaborator Contribution | Analysis of the rest of the multiwavelength datasets, dissemination of results by refereed journal papers and presentations. |
Impact | Refereed journal papers, and presentations. There is one discipline (astronomical observing) which is carried out in different wavebands (optical, UV, X-rays). |
Start Year | 2009 |
Description | Multiwavelength observing campaigns of Seyfert galaxies, still active in 2022 |
Organisation | Technion - Israel Institute of Technology |
Country | Israel |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Analysis of some of the data (OM, EPIC and RGS) returned by the XMM-Newton Observatory, dissemination of the results by refereed journal papers and presentations. |
Collaborator Contribution | Analysis of the rest of the multiwavelength datasets, dissemination of results by refereed journal papers and presentations. |
Impact | Refereed journal papers, and presentations. There is one discipline (astronomical observing) which is carried out in different wavebands (optical, UV, X-rays). |
Start Year | 2009 |
Description | Multiwavelength observing campaigns of Seyfert galaxies, still active in 2022 |
Organisation | University of Geneva |
Country | Switzerland |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Analysis of some of the data (OM, EPIC and RGS) returned by the XMM-Newton Observatory, dissemination of the results by refereed journal papers and presentations. |
Collaborator Contribution | Analysis of the rest of the multiwavelength datasets, dissemination of results by refereed journal papers and presentations. |
Impact | Refereed journal papers, and presentations. There is one discipline (astronomical observing) which is carried out in different wavebands (optical, UV, X-rays). |
Start Year | 2009 |
Description | Multiwavelength observing campaigns of Seyfert galaxies, still active in 2022 |
Organisation | University of Grenoble |
Country | France |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Analysis of some of the data (OM, EPIC and RGS) returned by the XMM-Newton Observatory, dissemination of the results by refereed journal papers and presentations. |
Collaborator Contribution | Analysis of the rest of the multiwavelength datasets, dissemination of results by refereed journal papers and presentations. |
Impact | Refereed journal papers, and presentations. There is one discipline (astronomical observing) which is carried out in different wavebands (optical, UV, X-rays). |
Start Year | 2009 |
Description | Pacific Institute of Mathemactical Sciences Public Lecture (in Canada) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | It was a public lecture on imaging black holes on the event horizon scale, in the light of the first black hole image was obtained by the Event Horizon Telescope Team. It also discussed the future prospects of studying extreme gravity using non-photonic means. The lectures was life streamed. It was jointly sponsored by the Pacific Institute of Mathematical Science, Royal Astronomical Society of Canada and University of Saskatchewan. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.pims.math.ca/scientific-event/190710-pplcrasckw |
Description | Press release on our discovery/evidence for the inertial mass of dark matter in the Galactic halo and the slowing bar of the Milky Way. The finding has been reported worldwide (up to Al Jazeera) and there were several interviews, e.g. for the New Scientist. I also provided another interview for the New Scientist + one interview for Physics daily on related questions. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Based on our papers on the slowing bar of the Milky Way and the resulting first evidence for dark matter inertial mass in the halo of the Milky Way, we handed the result to the UCL press office for a press release. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2021/jun/dark-matter-slowing-spin-milky-ways-galactic-bar This was followed by several interviews in various science journals and quite ample press coverage across the world (URL provided below). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.aljazeera.net/news/science/2021/6/21/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b9%d9%84%d9%85%d8%a7%d8%a1-%d9%8a%d... |
Description | Public presentations to schools, amateur astronomers, general public continuing to 2022 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | MSSL staff engagement activities always produce demonstrations of great interest from the number of questions and comments received. A point to note is that these activities continued, albeit at a reduced level, during the pandemic, using online connections. And more requests of talks and visits to schools are now arising post-pandemic with face-to-face opportunities always well received. Repeated visits and requests for talks. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017,2018,2019,2020,2021,2022 |
URL | http://mssl.ucl.ac.uk/SMILE/ |
Description | Public presentations, continuing to 2022 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Generated many questions on the space research we carry out at MSSL and excited the imagination of the audience provoking interest in learning about the Universe. A point to note is that these activities continued, albeit at a reduced level, during the pandemic, using online connections. And MSSL Open Evenings for the public have now re-started with exceptional high number of applications to attend, and great enthusiasm for the topics presented. Repeat visits and presentations |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017,2018,2019,2020,2022 |
URL | http://mssl.ucl.ac.uk/SMILE/ |
Description | SOC/chairing sessions at Royal Society Meeting of Minds |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Scientific organising committee of Royal Society's Meeting of Minds a meeting connecting top-level researchers from all fields of science, selection of speakers, chaired several sessions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |