A Programme of Technology, Astrophysics and Cosmology in Cardiff 2019-22
Lead Research Organisation:
CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
Department Name: School of Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
We propose a programme of Astrophysics, Cosmology and Technology development for Astrophysics and Cosmology, to investigate star and planet formation in our own and other galaxies, how galaxies form and evolve and the signals from the very early Universe embedded in the polarisation properties of the Cosmic Microwave background. This programme will combine observational data from world-class ground and space-based observatories, as well as theoretical modelling and simulations of the processes that result in the Universe we observe around us. We will also continue to develop the world's most sensitive detectors for very long infrared wavelengths, along with associated optical components utilising 'metamaterials' the class of materials designed and manufactured by human beings to have the properties best suited to their task, rather than relying on naturally occurring minerals and plastics. Both of these areas of technology development potentially have wide applications outside of Astronomy, in areas such as security scanners and bio-medical imaging for example.
Planned Impact
The technology programme proposed here will have extensive impact outside of astronomy. Firstly in other academic subject areas such as Earth-observing where the technology is used to look downwards or sideways through the atmosphere rather than upwards, but also in bio-medical imaging, where the Far-infrared wavelength range has many spectral features, and is currently being used in collaboration with the School of Optometry in Cardiff to assess corneal damage, for example. Secondly we also plan to exploit the technology commercially, through the spinout company QMCI (www.terahertz.co.uk) which operates from within the School, with broad applications from fast plasma diagnostic systems in use in Fusion experiments, through laboratory spectroscopy across a wide range of chemistry and materials applications, and the new spinout Sequestym, for security cameras. We also plan a very strong Outreach programme across both the technology developments and the observational and theoretical astrophysics and cosmology programme, following on from the skills developed during the very successful Herschel/Planck outreach programme, with web-based and standard media information releases, but also tied in with Open days, school visits, and going out into schools and colleges to give presentations and host workshops
Organisations
Publications
Winkel Nico
(2022)
Tracing the onset of the AGN feeding-feedback cycle in the nearby NLS1 Mrk 1044
in American Astronomical Society Meeting #240
Lu Anan
(2022)
Star Formation Efficiency in the Bulge of the AGN-host Galaxy NGC 3169 with SITELLE and ALMA
in American Astronomical Society Meeting #240
Otter Justin
(2022)
Resolved Molecular Gas Observations of MaNGA Post-starbursts Reveal a Tumultuous Past
in American Astronomical Society Meeting #240
Bissonette Daisy
(2023)
Star Formation Efficiency in Superthin Galaxies
in American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts
Tapia M.
(2020)
Large-area millimeter-wavelength surveys with MUSCAT (Mexico UK Submillimeter Camerafor Astronomy)
in American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #236
Nadolski A
(2020)
Broadband, millimeter-wave antireflection coatings for large-format, cryogenic aluminum oxide optics.
in Applied optics
Shitvov A
(2020)
Reflective Toraldo pupil for high-resolution millimeter-wave astronomy.
in Applied optics
Gudmundsson JE
(2021)
The Simons Observatory: modeling optical systematics in the Large Aperture Telescope.
in Applied optics
Gudmundsson J
(2021)
The Simons Observatory: modeling optical systematics in the Large Aperture Telescope
in Applied Optics
Gascard T
(2023)
Experimental characterization of a planar phase-engineered metamaterial lenslet for millimeter astronomy.
in Applied optics
Title | SDC G335.579-0.292 ALMA images and datacubes |
Description | VizieR online Data Catalogue associated with article published in journal Astronomy & Astrophysics with title 'Continuity of accretion from clumps to Class 0 high-mass protostars in SDC335.' (bibcode: 2021A&A...645A.142A) |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://cdsarc.cds.unistra.fr/viz-bin/cat/J/A+A/645/A142 |
Title | Sunyaev-Zel'dovich galaxy clusters surveyed by ACT |
Description | VizieR online Data Catalogue associated with article published in journal Astronomical Journal (AAS) with title 'The Atacama Cosmology Telescope: a catalog of >4000 Sunyaev-Zel'dovich galaxy clusters.' (bibcode: 2021ApJS..253....3H) |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://cdsarc.cds.unistra.fr/viz-bin/cat/J/ApJS/253/3 |