Astrophysics Research at the University of Leicester
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leicester
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
Our research aims to investigate a range of high-priority science topics in these areas:
i. studying high-energy and high-redshift explosive transients and how they relate to gravitational wave events
ii. investigating the growth and evolution of the first stars and black holes in galaxies
iii. determining the properties of accretion disks in active galactic nuclei
iv. measuring the fundamental properties of white dwarf stars, the remnants of stars like the Sun
v. investigating the properties of exoplanets, brown dwarfs and low mass stars
vi. determining the evolution of tidal disruption events in galaxies where stars are torn apart as they come close to a supermassive black
vii. investigating the origin of the stars seen in the centre of the Milky Way galaxy
viii. determining the structure of the Milky Way galaxy
ix. investigating the auroral emission of exoplanets
x. developing the concept of an intensity interferometry system for the Cherenkov Telescope Array to provide high-resolution images of cosmic objects
We will deliver this programme by carrying out observations using a broad range of ground and space based observing facilities, including XMM-Newton, HST, Swift, GAIA, JWST, ALMA, VLT, VISTA, WHT, INT, LT, NGTS, GOTO and Spitzer, and by conducting numerical simulations using major High Performance Computer facilities such as DiRAC.
i. studying high-energy and high-redshift explosive transients and how they relate to gravitational wave events
ii. investigating the growth and evolution of the first stars and black holes in galaxies
iii. determining the properties of accretion disks in active galactic nuclei
iv. measuring the fundamental properties of white dwarf stars, the remnants of stars like the Sun
v. investigating the properties of exoplanets, brown dwarfs and low mass stars
vi. determining the evolution of tidal disruption events in galaxies where stars are torn apart as they come close to a supermassive black
vii. investigating the origin of the stars seen in the centre of the Milky Way galaxy
viii. determining the structure of the Milky Way galaxy
ix. investigating the auroral emission of exoplanets
x. developing the concept of an intensity interferometry system for the Cherenkov Telescope Array to provide high-resolution images of cosmic objects
We will deliver this programme by carrying out observations using a broad range of ground and space based observing facilities, including XMM-Newton, HST, Swift, GAIA, JWST, ALMA, VLT, VISTA, WHT, INT, LT, NGTS, GOTO and Spitzer, and by conducting numerical simulations using major High Performance Computer facilities such as DiRAC.
Planned Impact
The applicants on the grant offer a diverse skill set that constitute a valuable resource to the private and public sectors. We have extensive experience and expertise in e.g. data analysis and handling, spacecraft and mission management, algorithm design, software engineering and high-performance computing. Exploitation of this expertise is supported at all levels within the University, and is a prime driver behind the £100M 'Space Park Leicester' concept.
The Department of Physics and Astronomy is committed to promoting and maximising the impact of our research. The College of Science and Engineering plays a leading role in the Enterprise Agenda for the University and offers dedicated enterprise officers and impact enhancing resources. Further support is provided by the University's Research and Enterprise Division, which works with academics and external stakeholders to create maximum impact in the local, national, and international community. This structure (i) delivers enterprising impact through the alignment of our research with major global and industrial challenges, (ii) identifies and addresses the opportunities to play a positive role in the economic development of our region and the UK, (iii) utilises research and related activities to develop skills and capability within a broad spectrum of the public and private sectors, (iv) provides expert advice and guidance to industry and policy makers, (v) ensures that its intellectual property is effectively transferred and disseminated, and (vi) contributes to the wider cultural benefit of society through an enterprising and engaging outreach programme.
The long-term impact strategy has four elements:
(1) to support and develop the skills and experience of the applicants;
(2) to ensure that links with public and private sector industries are developed and maximised;
(3) to disseminate knowledge, skills and expertise to the benefit of the local, national and international business and civic communities;
(4) to sustain and develop our successful outreach programme with particular emphasis on enhancing our efforts to develop valid outcome measures.
The Department of Physics and Astronomy is committed to promoting and maximising the impact of our research. The College of Science and Engineering plays a leading role in the Enterprise Agenda for the University and offers dedicated enterprise officers and impact enhancing resources. Further support is provided by the University's Research and Enterprise Division, which works with academics and external stakeholders to create maximum impact in the local, national, and international community. This structure (i) delivers enterprising impact through the alignment of our research with major global and industrial challenges, (ii) identifies and addresses the opportunities to play a positive role in the economic development of our region and the UK, (iii) utilises research and related activities to develop skills and capability within a broad spectrum of the public and private sectors, (iv) provides expert advice and guidance to industry and policy makers, (v) ensures that its intellectual property is effectively transferred and disseminated, and (vi) contributes to the wider cultural benefit of society through an enterprising and engaging outreach programme.
The long-term impact strategy has four elements:
(1) to support and develop the skills and experience of the applicants;
(2) to ensure that links with public and private sector industries are developed and maximised;
(3) to disseminate knowledge, skills and expertise to the benefit of the local, national and international business and civic communities;
(4) to sustain and develop our successful outreach programme with particular emphasis on enhancing our efforts to develop valid outcome measures.
Publications
Page K
(2020)
Swift -XRT follow-up of gravitational wave triggers during the third aLIGO/Virgo observing run
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Gompertz B
(2020)
A Search for Neutron Star-Black Hole Binary Mergers in the Short Gamma-Ray Burst Population
in The Astrophysical Journal
Nayakshin S
(2020)
The paradox of youth for ALMA planet candidates
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Semczuk M
(2020)
Tidally induced warps of spiral galaxies in IllustrisTNG
Gompertz B
(2020)
Searching for electromagnetic counterparts to gravitational-wave merger events with the prototype Gravitational-Wave Optical Transient Observer (GOTO-4)
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Dyer M
(2020)
The Gravitational-wave Optical Transient Observer (GOTO)
Lamb G
(2021)
Inclination Estimates from Off-Axis GRB Afterglow Modelling
in Universe
Fernández J
(2021)
Lateral spreading effects on VLBI radio images of neutron star merger jets
Rosati P
(2021)
Synergies of THESEUS with the large facilities of the 2030s and guest observer opportunities.
in Experimental astronomy
H.E.S.S. Collaboration
(2021)
Revealing x-ray and gamma ray temporal and spectral similarities in the GRB 190829A afterglow.
in Science (New York, N.Y.)
Makrygianni L
(2021)
Processing GOTO survey data with the Rubin Observatory LSST Science Pipelines II: Forced Photometry and lightcurves
in Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia
Burhanudin U
(2021)
Light-curve classification with recurrent neural networks for GOTO: dealing with imbalanced data
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Duffy C
(2021)
Evidence that short-period AM CVn systems are diverse in outburst behaviour
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Amati L
(2021)
The THESEUS space mission: science goals, requirements and mission concept
in Experimental Astronomy
Elbakyan V
(2021)
Accretion bursts in high-mass protostars: A new test bed for models of episodic accretion
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Vielfaure J
(2021)
Gamma-ray bursts as probes of high-redshift Lyman- a emitters and radiative transfer models
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Rastinejad J
(2021)
Probing Kilonova Ejecta Properties Using a Catalog of Short Gamma-Ray Burst Observations
in The Astrophysical Journal
Rowlinson A
(2021)
LOFAR early-time search for coherent radio emission from short GRB 181123B
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Rouco Escorial A
(2021)
GRB 180418A: A Possibly Short Gamma-Ray Burst with a Wide-angle Outflow in a Faint Host Galaxy
in The Astrophysical Journal
Ciolfi R
(2021)
Multi-messenger astrophysics with THESEUS in the 2030s
in Experimental Astronomy
Lamb G
(2021)
GRB jet structure and the jet break
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Semczuk M
(2021)
The small boxy/peanut structure of the Milky Way traced by old stars
Tanvir N
(2021)
Exploration of the high-redshift universe enabled by THESEUS
Humphries J
(2021)
Searching for wide-orbit gravitational instability protoplanets with ALMA in the dust continuum
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Killestein T
(2021)
Transient-optimized real-bogus classification with Bayesian convolutional neural networks - sifting the GOTO candidate stream
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Tanvir N
(2021)
Exploration of the high-redshift universe enabled by THESEUS
in Experimental Astronomy
Abdalla H
(2021)
Sensitivity of the Cherenkov Telescope Array for probing cosmology and fundamental physics with gamma-ray propagation
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Ghirlanda G
(2021)
Gamma ray burst studies with THESEUS
in Experimental Astronomy
Mullaney J
(2021)
Processing GOTO data with the Rubin Observatory LSST Science Pipelines I: Production of coadded frames
in Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia
Lamb G
(2021)
GRB jet structure and the jet break
Abdallah H
(2021)
Search for dark matter annihilation in the Wolf-Lundmark-Melotte dwarf irregular galaxy with H.E.S.S.
in Physical Review D
Klingler N
(2021)
Swift Multiwavelength Follow-up of LVC S200224ca and the Implications for Binary Black Hole Mergers
in The Astrophysical Journal
Mong Y
(2021)
Searching for Fermi GRB optical counterparts with the prototype Gravitational-wave Optical Transient Observer (GOTO)
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Abdalla H
(2021)
Search for Dark Matter Annihilation Signals from Unidentified Fermi-LAT Objects with H.E.S.S.
in The Astrophysical Journal
Dainotti M
(2021)
On the Existence of the Plateau Emission in High-energy Gamma-Ray Burst Light Curves Observed by Fermi-LAT
in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
Birchall K
(2022)
The incidence of X-ray selected AGN in nearby galaxies
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Rossi A
(2022)
A blast from the infant Universe: The very high- z GRB 210905A
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Nativi L
(2022)
Are interactions with neutron star merger winds shaping the jets?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Semczuk M
(2022)
Spiral arms and the angular momentum gap in Milky Way Cepheids
Nayakshin S
(2022)
ALMA constraints on assembly of Core Accretion planets
Rastinejad JC
(2022)
A kilonova following a long-duration gamma-ray burst at 350 Mpc.
in Nature
Winter A
(2022)
The growth and migration of massive planets under the influence of external photoevaporation
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Chrimes A
(2022)
Where are the magnetar binary companions? Candidates from a comparison with binary population synthesis predictions
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Steeghs D
(2022)
The Gravitational-wave Optical Transient Observer (GOTO): prototype performance and prospects for transient science
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Description | ENGRAVE |
Organisation | European Southern Observatory (ESO) |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Our Leicester team is part of a large international collaboration to use ESO telescopes and others, for follow-up of the electromagnetic counterparts of gravitational wave events. Tanvir is a member of the governing council of ENGRAVE. |
Collaborator Contribution | The collaboration has over 250 members, who bring diverse expertise. In particular, real time duties are the responsibility of a core group of about 40 people currently. |
Impact | One paper submitted so far. |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | STARGATE |
Organisation | European Southern Observatory (ESO) |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Tanvir is PI of a large collaboration whose goal is to obtain optical/nIR follow-up observations of gamma-ray bursts using ESO facilities. |
Collaborator Contribution | The collaboration consists of a (geographically spread) core group who trigger and analyse the rapid target-of-opportunity observations, plus a wider group who contribute to planning, interpretation and analysis for at least some of the specialised sub-projects. (the number of partner institutions in this sense is large and fluid, and they are not individually listed. Similarly the value of the in-kind contributions is not well defined; except for ESO for which the value recorded here is a rough estimate) |
Impact | About 15 papers written to date. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | VINROUGE |
Organisation | European Southern Observatory (ESO) |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Tanvir is PI of a large international collaboration dedicated to using the ESO VISTA telescope for follow-up observations of gravitational wave events. |
Collaborator Contribution | Other partners provide expertise on different aspects of our campaign. |
Impact | Two papers directly; several others enabled by the results. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Astronomical Society (Knowle) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Talk to astronomical society |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Cardiff Astronomical Society |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Talk to society |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Cheltenham Science Festival |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Panel discussion |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Interview for BBC series "Universe" |
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 | Gave wide ranging interview for the producers of the 2021 BBC series "Universe" introduced by Brian Cox. Some of the interview featured in the broadcast programme and some material was used to help script the main commentary. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Northants Natural History Society |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Talk to society |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Seminar at Goddard Space Flight Centre, USA |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Talk to scientists and engineers at NASA |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Talk at NewScientist Live event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Talk at NewScientist Live event |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Talk to Cambridge University Astronomical Society |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | Talk about gravitational waves and gamma-ray bursts |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Talk to Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical Society |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Talking on gravitational waves and gamma-ray bursts to amateur astronomy group: hybrid format, both in person and on-line audience. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |