Rocky debris in evolved planetary systems
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Warwick
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
This project will address outstanding questions in post-main-sequence planetary system science through a combination of analytical and numerical investigations. Over 1,000 white dwarfs are known to host planetary systems, over 40 contain observable discs, and several contain observed or inferred minor or major planets. However, theoretical understanding of these systems is lacking, and this project aims to help bridge the gap. The fragmentation and sublimation of aspherical asteroids will be considered, and as well as the consequences for the size distribution of the resulting debris discs. These results will be used to help explain previous observations and guide future efforts.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Dimitri Veras (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Catriona McDonald (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST/T506503/1 | 01/10/2019 | 30/09/2023 | |||
| 2270644 | Studentship | ST/T506503/1 | 01/10/2019 | 30/06/2023 | Catriona McDonald |
| Description | Through the publication of scientific research, a number of key outputs have been made thanks to this award. Firstly, in McDonald & Veras 2021, we provide an analytic process to determine how an asteroid might be destroyed while approaching a white dwarf. The process is fully outlined in the paper and available for any reader to use, and has the potential for further improvements and wider use by other researchers. Secondly, McDonald & Veras 2023 presented the first ever consideration of the dynamics of binary asteroids around white dwarfs. This study found some important consequences for the production of interstellar asteroids through disruptive dynamic processes in evolved planetary systems. Thus, there have been important contributions made to the knowledge of the production of rocky debris in evolved planetary systems and work has been produced with wider consequences and use for the astronomical community. |
| Exploitation Route | The work produced during this award could be used by other scientific researchers in order to improve and expand their own scientific research. |
| Sectors | Other |
| Description | Alongside the scientific impacts already discussed in this submission, the impact of engagement activities carried out during this award is harder to quantify so soon after their occurrence. But having been able to reach an audience likely in the 1000s through various in person events and media interviews, will likely have had some impact in terms of sharing knowledge with the general public and encouraging an excitement and interest in astronomy to school children which will continue to grow. This has already been evidenced some, by feedback from school children and their parents talking about how exciting and informative the events were and how children were encouraged to learn more about astronomy. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2021 |
| Sector | Education,Other |
| Impact Types | Cultural,Societal |
| Description | Article on National Astronomy Meeting Outreach Activities |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Co-author of an article in the Royal Astronomical Society's Astronomy & Geophysics magazine discussing the outreach activities held during the National Astronomy Meeting at Warwick in 2022. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://academic.oup.com/astrogeo/article/63/5/5.21/6697060 |
| Description | Astro Society Invited Talk |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Talk was given to about 20 undergraduate members of the University of Warwick's Astronomy Society. Led to lots of interesting questions and discussions about the research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Interview for international publication |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Interview with a freelance scientific journalist for a publication in Scientific American. Led to me being quoted in an article about the destruction of planets around white dwarfs. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/astronomers-reveal-new-details-of-how-stars-devour-planet... |
| Description | Interview for national news |
| 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 | Interview with a Science Editor at The Guardian about the NASA DART mission, describing the mission goals and purpose. Lead to a me being quoted in an article. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/sep/25/nasas-dart-probe-to-smash-into-asteroid-in-first-ear... |
| Description | Interview for regional radio |
| 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 | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Live media interview on BBC Coventry and Warwickshire Radio answering the question 'What happens to the Earth when the Sun dies?'. The question was listener submitted, but discussion with the host. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Interview on regional radio station |
| 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 | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Live radio interview on BBC Coventry and Warwickshire discussing my role on the NASA DART Boarders scheme and the goals of the space mission. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | National Astronomy Meeting Outreach Programme |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | As co-chair of the Outreach Organisation Committee for the National Astronomy Meeting held at Warwick in 2022, I devised and organised a four day outreach program including school visits, a science festival, art exhibition, streamed panel discussion and film screening with associated foreword. To complete these activities we fundraised over £20,000, managed a group of over 20 volunteers and subsequently were able to reach an audience of over 1000 people. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://nam2022.org/public-engagement-temp |