Mass determinations of accreting white dwarfs and tests of close binary evolution

Lead Research Organisation: University of Sheffield
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy

Abstract

This project will analyse lightcurves of accreting white dwarfs to measure the component masses of the binary. Comparison of these masses to binary evolution models will test physical prescriptions for angular momentum loss and mass transfer stability in close binary stars.

Publications

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Studentship Projects

Project Reference Relationship Related To Start End Student Name
ST/S505699/1 01/10/2018 30/09/2022
2104516 Studentship ST/S505699/1 01/10/2018 31/03/2022 James Wild
 
Description Astronomy Outreach at a primary school 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Delivered a roughly 40 minute talk introducing astronomy (e.g. scales, types of bodies, etc) to ~30 primary school students in the evening. After the talk, instructed them in the use of a telescope the school had had donated, and did some basic stargazing.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description PubHD Talk to fellow researchers and the general public 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Gave a talk on my PhD research plan to an audience in a local pub. The audience included other postgraduates, and some undergraduates, but was primarily targeted towards the general public. As, at the time, I had no data to present, this talk was largely an introduction to cataclysmic variables, a type of binary star system that my research focusses on. After my talk and two others, I hung around with people interested in my talk and answered questions in a casual setting.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://pubhdsheffield.mystrikingly.com/