Consolidated Grant Astronomy Observation and Theory 2019-2022
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.
On the largest scales, the proposal includes work to understand the origin and evolution of the Universe itself through precision observations of the cosmic microwave background with new ground-based telescopes, measurements of the 3D positions of galaxies measured with the DES and DESI galaxy surveys, and the development of new techniques to obtain robust constraints on the history of the expansion of the Universe from observations of distant supernovae.
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. Researchers at the IoA lead key parts of the data processing for the ESA Gaia space mission, which is performing a survey of the Milky Way with unprecedented precision and volume. Several projects in this proposal will exploit the forthcoming second data release from Gaia (a thousand-fold increase in data over the first release) to understand the dynamics of the Galaxy and its companions. At the other end of the scale, observations of distant galaxies spanning lookback times of up to 12 billion years provide direct measurements of the evolution of galaxy populations and the buildup of stars and metals with cosmic time. The light from these first galaxies likely led to the reionization of hydrogen in the intergalactic medium, when the age of the Universe was less than one billion years. Modelling this process requires sophisticated hydrodynamical simulations, including radiative transfer effects, and is a further focus of this proposal.
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 theoretical high-energy astrophysics and observational programmes in the grant.
On much smaller scales within galaxies, the grant focusses of the formation of planetary systems through theoretical modelling of the evolution of protoplanetary disks (exploiting high-resolution imaging with ALMA) and their associated debris disks, and on the atmospheres and geology of extrasolar planets.
On the largest scales, the proposal includes work to understand the origin and evolution of the Universe itself through precision observations of the cosmic microwave background with new ground-based telescopes, measurements of the 3D positions of galaxies measured with the DES and DESI galaxy surveys, and the development of new techniques to obtain robust constraints on the history of the expansion of the Universe from observations of distant supernovae.
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. Researchers at the IoA lead key parts of the data processing for the ESA Gaia space mission, which is performing a survey of the Milky Way with unprecedented precision and volume. Several projects in this proposal will exploit the forthcoming second data release from Gaia (a thousand-fold increase in data over the first release) to understand the dynamics of the Galaxy and its companions. At the other end of the scale, observations of distant galaxies spanning lookback times of up to 12 billion years provide direct measurements of the evolution of galaxy populations and the buildup of stars and metals with cosmic time. The light from these first galaxies likely led to the reionization of hydrogen in the intergalactic medium, when the age of the Universe was less than one billion years. Modelling this process requires sophisticated hydrodynamical simulations, including radiative transfer effects, and is a further focus of this proposal.
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 theoretical high-energy astrophysics and observational programmes in the grant.
On much smaller scales within galaxies, the grant focusses of the formation of planetary systems through theoretical modelling of the evolution of protoplanetary disks (exploiting high-resolution imaging with ALMA) and their associated debris disks, and on the atmospheres and geology of extrasolar planets.
Planned Impact
The Institute of Astronomy ensures all students, postdoctoral researchers and staff are actively involved both in delivering high-value science, and also engaging and stimulating a variety of additional knowledge-creation activities. These activities focus on public awareness of astrophysical science, 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 the 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. Members of the Institute of Astronomy 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 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 the 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. Members of the Institute of Astronomy 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 to inspirational outreach programmes engaging with those teaching the next generation of scientists.
Organisations
Publications
Han Y
(2022)
rave : a non-parametric method for recovering the surface brightness and height profiles of edge-on debris discs
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Han Y
(2023)
Has the dust clump in the debris disc of Beta Pictoris moved?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Haworth T
(2019)
The first multidimensional view of mass loss from externally FUV irradiated protoplanetary discs
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Haworth T
(2022)
An APEX search for carbon emission from NGC 1977 proplyds
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Haworth T
(2022)
An APEX search for carbon emission from NGC 1977 proplyds
Haworth T
(2021)
Proplyds in the flame nebula NGC 2024
Haworth T
(2020)
Proplyds in the Flame Nebula NGC 2024
Haworth T
(2021)
Proplyds in the flame nebula NGC 2024
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Hendler N
(2020)
The Evolution of Dust Disk Sizes from a Homogeneous Analysis of 1-10 Myr old Stars
in The Astrophysical Journal
Hilton M
(2021)
The Atacama Cosmology Telescope: A Catalog of >4000 Sunyaev-Zel'dovich Galaxy Clusters
in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
Hinkley S
(2021)
Discovery of an Edge-on Circumstellar Debris Disk around BD+45° 598: A Newly Identified Member of the ß Pictoris Moving Group
in The Astrophysical Journal
Hinkley S
(2022)
The JWST Early Release Science Program for the Direct Imaging and Spectroscopy of Exoplanetary Systems
in Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Hodgkin S
(2021)
Gaia Early Data Release 3 Gaia photometric science alerts
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Hodgkin S
(2021)
Gaia Early Data Release 3: Gaia photometric science alerts
Hogg J
(2021)
2MASX J00423991 + 3017515: an offset active galactic nucleus in an interacting system
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Husseiniova A
(2021)
A microlensing search of 700 million VVV light curves
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Hutchison M
(2020)
Dust delivery and entrainment in photoevaporative winds
Hutchison M
(2021)
Dust delivery and entrainment in photoevaporative winds
Hutchison M
(2021)
Dust delivery and entrainment in photoevaporative winds
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Inight K
(2021)
Towards a volumetric census of close white dwarf binaries - I. Reference samples
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Iršic V
(2024)
Unveiling dark matter free streaming at the smallest scales with the high redshift Lyman-alpha forest
in Physical Review D
Ishibashi W
(2019)
Radiation pattern and outflow geometry: A new probe of black hole spin
Ishibashi W
(2019)
Radiation pattern and outflow geometry: a new probe of black hole spin?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jackman J
(2021)
Stellar flares detected with the Next Generation Transit Survey
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jackman J
(2020)
NGTS clusters survey - II. White-light flares from the youngest stars in Orion
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jackman J
(2019)
NGTS-7Ab: an ultrashort-period brown dwarf transiting a tidally locked and active M dwarf
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jackman J
(2021)
Stellar flares detected with the Next Generation Transit Survey
Jankovic M
(2022)
MRI-active inner regions of protoplanetary discs - II. Dependence on dust, disc, and stellar parameters
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jankovic M
(2021)
MRI-active inner regions of protoplanetary discs. I. A detailed model of disc structure
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jennings F
(2023)
Shattering and growth of cold clouds in galaxy clusters: the role of radiative cooling, magnetic fields, and thermal conduction
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jennings J
(2022)
Superresolution trends in the ALMA Taurus survey: structured inner discs and compact discs
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jennings J
(2021)
A super-resolution analysis of the DSHARP survey: Substructure is common in the inner 30 au
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jiang J
(2020)
A disc reflection model for ultra-soft narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jiang J
(2019)
High Density Reflection Spectroscopy - II. The density of the inner black hole accretion disc in AGN
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jiang J
(2021)
The awakening beast in the Seyfert 1 Galaxy KUG 1141+371 - I
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Kalaja A
(2023)
The reconstructed CMB lensing bispectrum
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Kalaja A
(2023)
The reconstructed CMB lensing bispectrum
Kalaja A
(2022)
The reconstructed CMB lensing bispectrum