Astrophysics at the University of Exeter
Lead Research Organisation:
UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
Our research is focussed on improving our understanding of how stars, disks, and planets form and evolve, and of the physical processes that occur deep in the atmospheres and interiors of stars and exoplanets. We intend to achieve this goal by developing advanced theoretical models and using a combination of state-of-the art computer modelling and observations obtained from cutting-edge facilities.
Stars and planets owe their origins to the gravitational collapse of molecular clouds, resulting in the formation of objects with a wide range of masses. As stars form, they are surrounded by discs of material, which feed the star with mass and are the birthplace of planets. How discs form and evolve, what determines their properties, and how accretion and planet formation proceeds, remain major unsolved questions. Combining different observational methods at various wavelengths and sophisticated computer modelling that include complex physics, we will study in depth all steps, starting from the properties of molecular clouds, that lead to the formation of stars, discs and planets.
After stars and sub-stellar objects form, their further evolution is characterised by complex physical processes, such as turbulent convection and magnetism, that shape their internal structure and their observational properties. Exquisite observational data are now available, with for example asteroseismology providing important constrainsts on the internal structure of stars. We will develop theoretical models and use sophisticated numerical models to improve our understanding of stellar interiors, atmospheres, magnetism, and rotation and to explain various observational puzzles.
We will also develop new observational techniques, carry out new observations, and build new theoretical models for detecting, characterising, and understanding exoplanets. We will also develop original strategies to optimise the detection of small (Earth-sized) exoplanets by understanding and learning how to see through activity "noise" from the host star. We expect to lead the first images and spectra of directly-observable exoplanets using the James Webb Space Telescope. To describe the physical properties of exoplanet atmospheres, we use the Met Office's computer model for the Earth's climate, which has been specially adapted to deal with the different physical process that occur in exoplanet atmospheres. We will also develop new tools to understand the detailed atmospheric chemistry of irradiated exoplanets and which will be optimised to interpret observations.
Stars and planets owe their origins to the gravitational collapse of molecular clouds, resulting in the formation of objects with a wide range of masses. As stars form, they are surrounded by discs of material, which feed the star with mass and are the birthplace of planets. How discs form and evolve, what determines their properties, and how accretion and planet formation proceeds, remain major unsolved questions. Combining different observational methods at various wavelengths and sophisticated computer modelling that include complex physics, we will study in depth all steps, starting from the properties of molecular clouds, that lead to the formation of stars, discs and planets.
After stars and sub-stellar objects form, their further evolution is characterised by complex physical processes, such as turbulent convection and magnetism, that shape their internal structure and their observational properties. Exquisite observational data are now available, with for example asteroseismology providing important constrainsts on the internal structure of stars. We will develop theoretical models and use sophisticated numerical models to improve our understanding of stellar interiors, atmospheres, magnetism, and rotation and to explain various observational puzzles.
We will also develop new observational techniques, carry out new observations, and build new theoretical models for detecting, characterising, and understanding exoplanets. We will also develop original strategies to optimise the detection of small (Earth-sized) exoplanets by understanding and learning how to see through activity "noise" from the host star. We expect to lead the first images and spectra of directly-observable exoplanets using the James Webb Space Telescope. To describe the physical properties of exoplanet atmospheres, we use the Met Office's computer model for the Earth's climate, which has been specially adapted to deal with the different physical process that occur in exoplanet atmospheres. We will also develop new tools to understand the detailed atmospheric chemistry of irradiated exoplanets and which will be optimised to interpret observations.
Planned Impact
We collaborate with a number of partners to apply our research work in a wider context. We are also committed to communicating our results, engaging schools and the general public in an increasing number of ways. Over the period of this grant, we plan to deliver impact with the following beneficiaries:
Climate modelling and exoplanets: Over the past years our adaptations to the UK Met Office software have been deposited back into the shared repository and therefore form part of the base model used for Earth climate and weather prediction. The direct developments required for our scientific objectives have resulted in a more flexible and faster model. Additionally, this work has aided Met Office developments providing flexible idealised algorithms and configurations.
Radiative transfer and skin cancer: Harries, in collaboration with Drs Alison Curnow and Clare Thorn from the University's Medical School is adapting the radiative transfer code TORUS to model light scattering through human tissue. This modification was performed in collaboration with the Centre for Biomedical Modelling and Analysis and it is now being used by a 4-year PhD student to create a 'virtual laboratory' for studying photodynamic therapy. TORUS is also used to model deep Raman scattering in breast tissue (in collaboration with Exeter's biomedical physics group), which is being studied by another PhD student. Deep Raman spectroscopy provides a route to swift, non-invasive diagnosis of breast cancer, and numerical modelling is key to assessing the sensitivity and specificity of the technique.
Exoplanet Explorers: Through partnership with local SMEs, We the Curious & Engine House VFX and with support from our last consolidated grant and the National Space Science Centre, we have produced two innovative, immersive animations, based on our exoplanet research. The first such animation has been viewed over 8 million times, and won both a bronze and People's choice award at the 2018 Lovie Awards. A follow-up animation has recently been completed and released, and was rapidly nominated for a VR award. Our first animation has not only had a significant reach within the general public but also been used in several planetaria including that at the We The Curious Science exhibition centre in Bristol, and enhanced the income of Engine House through the procurement of several new projects. This activity has been partnered by more significant interactions, through the provision of Exoplanet Explorer sessions at schools throughout the southwest, featured on BBC Spotlight (regional news). Mayne has been awarded an STFC Nucleus grant to co--develop a game based on our exoplanet research, which will be incorporated into our wider activities. Our activities during this grant will all provide scientific input into our future development of the exoplanet explorers engagement materials, and ongoing events.
Education, schools, and teachers: The Exeter Astrophysics group members are also extremely active in outreach activities with local schools covering astrophysics more broadly. Regular events include: National Science Week; Big Bang South West!; Institute of Physics Festival of Physics; Stargazing Live!; Pint of Science; Progression in Physics- a long-term project with Year 12 students from widening participation schools who visit the University eight times in the year to experience different aspects of Physics/Astrophysics at university-level; and hosting work experience students. The group have engaged in events at schools throughout the southwest providing presentations, workshops and 'hands-on' sessions, alongside a youtube channel dedicated to explaining our research in short segments. For such cross-cutting activities, all projects, staff and students are generally involved at some level. For this grant we will continue these activities and expand our engagement resources and online content.
Climate modelling and exoplanets: Over the past years our adaptations to the UK Met Office software have been deposited back into the shared repository and therefore form part of the base model used for Earth climate and weather prediction. The direct developments required for our scientific objectives have resulted in a more flexible and faster model. Additionally, this work has aided Met Office developments providing flexible idealised algorithms and configurations.
Radiative transfer and skin cancer: Harries, in collaboration with Drs Alison Curnow and Clare Thorn from the University's Medical School is adapting the radiative transfer code TORUS to model light scattering through human tissue. This modification was performed in collaboration with the Centre for Biomedical Modelling and Analysis and it is now being used by a 4-year PhD student to create a 'virtual laboratory' for studying photodynamic therapy. TORUS is also used to model deep Raman scattering in breast tissue (in collaboration with Exeter's biomedical physics group), which is being studied by another PhD student. Deep Raman spectroscopy provides a route to swift, non-invasive diagnosis of breast cancer, and numerical modelling is key to assessing the sensitivity and specificity of the technique.
Exoplanet Explorers: Through partnership with local SMEs, We the Curious & Engine House VFX and with support from our last consolidated grant and the National Space Science Centre, we have produced two innovative, immersive animations, based on our exoplanet research. The first such animation has been viewed over 8 million times, and won both a bronze and People's choice award at the 2018 Lovie Awards. A follow-up animation has recently been completed and released, and was rapidly nominated for a VR award. Our first animation has not only had a significant reach within the general public but also been used in several planetaria including that at the We The Curious Science exhibition centre in Bristol, and enhanced the income of Engine House through the procurement of several new projects. This activity has been partnered by more significant interactions, through the provision of Exoplanet Explorer sessions at schools throughout the southwest, featured on BBC Spotlight (regional news). Mayne has been awarded an STFC Nucleus grant to co--develop a game based on our exoplanet research, which will be incorporated into our wider activities. Our activities during this grant will all provide scientific input into our future development of the exoplanet explorers engagement materials, and ongoing events.
Education, schools, and teachers: The Exeter Astrophysics group members are also extremely active in outreach activities with local schools covering astrophysics more broadly. Regular events include: National Science Week; Big Bang South West!; Institute of Physics Festival of Physics; Stargazing Live!; Pint of Science; Progression in Physics- a long-term project with Year 12 students from widening participation schools who visit the University eight times in the year to experience different aspects of Physics/Astrophysics at university-level; and hosting work experience students. The group have engaged in events at schools throughout the southwest providing presentations, workshops and 'hands-on' sessions, alongside a youtube channel dedicated to explaining our research in short segments. For such cross-cutting activities, all projects, staff and students are generally involved at some level. For this grant we will continue these activities and expand our engagement resources and online content.
Organisations
Publications
Lam R
(2023)
Precise Age for the Binary Star System 12 Com in the Coma Berenices Cluster
in The Astronomical Journal
Langellier N
(2021)
Detection Limits of Low-mass, Long-period Exoplanets Using Gaussian Processes Applied to HARPS-N Solar Radial Velocities
in The Astronomical Journal
Lanthermann C
(2023)
Multiplicity of northern bright O-type stars with optical long baseline interferometry Results of the pilot survey
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Lazzoni C
(2024)
Binary planet formation through tides
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Lazzoni C
(2022)
Detectability of satellites around directly imaged exoplanets and brown dwarfs
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Lester K
(2022)
Visual Orbits of Spectroscopic Binaries with the CHARA Array. IV. HD 61859, HD 89822, HD 109510, and HD 191692
in The Astronomical Journal
Le Saux A
(2023)
Two-dimensional simulations of internal gravity waves in a 5 M? zero-age-main-sequence model
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Lykou F
(2023)
The disk of the eruptive protostar V900 Mon. A MATISSE/VLTI and MUSE/VLT perspective
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Mann C
(2023)
Giant Outer Transiting Exoplanet Mass (GOT 'EM) Survey. III. Recovery and Confirmation of a Temperate, Mildly Eccentric, Single-transit Jupiter Orbiting TOI-2010
in The Astronomical Journal
Martioli E
(2023)
TOI-1736 and TOI-2141: Two systems including sub-Neptunes around solar analogs revealed by TESS and SOPHIE
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Meyer D
(2022)
The burst mode of accretion in massive star formation with stellar inertia
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Milbourne T
(2021)
Estimating Magnetic Filling Factors from Simultaneous Spectroscopy and Photometry: Disentangling Spots, Plage, and Network
in The Astrophysical Journal
Miles B
(2023)
The JWST Early-release Science Program for Direct Observations of Exoplanetary Systems II: A 1 to 20 µm Spectrum of the Planetary-mass Companion VHS 1256-1257 b
in The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Mortimer D
(2022)
Beam combiner for the Asgard/BIFROST instrument
Moutou C
(2021)
TOI-1296b and TOI-1298b observed with TESS and SOPHIE: two hot Saturn-mass exoplanets with different densities around metal-rich stars
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Netto Y
(2021)
Radial-velocity Precision of ESPRESSO Through the Analysis of the Solar Twin HIP 11915
in The Astronomical Journal
Osborn H
(2023)
Two warm Neptunes transiting HIP 9618 revealed by TESS and Cheops
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Ray S
(2023)
Detecting planetary mass companions near the water frost-line using JWST interferometry
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Rescigno F
(2024)
A hot mini-Neptune and a temperate, highly eccentric sub-Saturn around the bright K-dwarf TOI-2134
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Rescigno F
(2024)
A hot mini-Neptune and a temperate, highly eccentric sub-Saturn around the bright K-dwarf TOI-2134
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Sainsbury-Martinez F
(2023)
Evidence of radius inflation in radiative GCM models of WASP-76b due to the advection of potential temperature
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Description | Aeon piece: There is no planet B |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Our article became one of Aeon's most popular articles in that month. It garnered 78 comments. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://aeon.co/essays/we-will-never-be-able-to-live-on-another-planet-heres-why |
Description | Henrietta Leavitt Day in Devon schools |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Dr R D Haywood and Dr S Dalal (grant holders) worked with Links to a Life and Exeter Science Centre to engage high school students on astronomy. We gave presentations on our work and career path and took questions. We each visited one school for one day. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Public Talk |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Public talk by invited speaker Dr Frank Eisenhauer from MPE Garching, "Exploring the supermassive black hole at the Centre of the Milky Way" |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/exploring-the-supermassive-black-hole-at-the-centre-of-the-milky-way-... |
Description | Public talk -- Cardiff astronomical society |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Public level talk about optical interferometry. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.hgsas.co.uk/ |
Description | Public talk -- HGS Astronomical Society |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Talk via Zoom, they asked plenty of engaged questions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.cardiff-astronomical-society.co.uk/ |
Description | Radio Interview, Times Radio |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Live interview with Matt Chorley / Times Radio on Betelgeuse |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Radio show interview Coast FM and Source FM |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | https://www.coastfm.co.uk/shows/celebscience https://www.thesourcefm.co.uk/presenters/ben-makin/ |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.coastfm.co.uk/shows/celebscience |