Sounding the Stars---the Birmingham and Queen Mary Seismology Programme

We are entering a golden era for studies of the Sun and stars, thanks
in particular to new satellite observations of unprecedented quality
and scope. These data are making it possible to investigate large
numbers of stars using asteroseismology, the study of stars by
observation and analysis of their intrinsic oscillations.

Significant uncertainties in our understanding of stars (including the
Sun) have a direct impact on wider areas of astronomy, e.g.,
calibration of distances on extra-galactic scales, fixing the ages of
the oldest stellar populations (which place tight constraints on
cosmologies), and tracing the chemical evolution of
galaxies. State-of-the-art studies of stars are also crucial to a
complete understanding of the formation and evolution of exoplanetary
systems, and inferences made on stars from asteroseismology allow
direct constraints to be placed on exoplanet properties (e.g., sizes,
locations in habitable zones, ages etc.). Asteroseismic studies of
magnetic activity, and variability, provide information on how stars
interact with their local environments (with obvious implications for
exoplanet habitability). Stars are the visible building-blocks of the
Universe and the nearest star to us, the Sun, is vital to life on
Earth. The internal mechanisms responsible for solar activity, and its
variability, lie at one end of the chain stretching from the Sun to
the Earth. Variability of the Sun remains poorly understood. The Sun
also plays the role of a fundamental calibrator, and reference, for
different areas of stellar structure and stellar evolution
theory. Hence, elucidating the details of its structure and dynamics
is key, not only in the context of understanding the Sun, but also
other stars.

This programme of research is a joint bid between the seismology
groups at the University of Birmingham (UoB) and Queen Mary,
University of London (QMUL). It brings together world-leading
expertise from UoB and QMUL in asteroseismology and helioseismology,
with projects on observation, data analysis and modelling of the Sun
and solar-type stars, red giants, and massive main-sequence stars.
The programme will make use of state-of-the-art asteroseismic
observations by the NASA Kepler Mission and the French-led CoRoT
satellite, of solar-type stars, red giants and massive main-sequence
stars. In studies of the Sun, UoB will continue to run the Birmingham
Solar-Oscillations Network (BiSON), collecting world-leading data on
modes that penetrate the solar core.

Our programme of research will develop and apply new methods for estimating
accurate and precise stellar properties, and for mapping the internal
structures and dynamics of the stars. We shall also provide the
cleanest picture yet of the core of our own star, the Sun; and
establish whether the recent, unusual activity behaviour of the Sun
has left any significant, long-standing changes, or "scars", beneath
its visible surface.

Outreach:

- We will reach the audience of schools and the general public by
publicity, talks, exhibitions, articles in popular publications,
radio and (when possible) television appearances;

- We shall continue to develop strong links with the media, which have
led to several recent appearences in broadcast and print media
(e.g., BBC Radio, BBC Breakfast); and interact closely with NASA
(for Kepler-related press) and the French Space Agency (CNES)
(for CoRoT-related press);

- We engage regularly in outreach activities (including talks) for
schools and astronomical societies (we are on lists of speakers
maintained by the Royal Astronomical Society and the Institute of
Physics). These activities will be coordinated with Schools and
outreach liaison specialists at UoB and QMUL.


Knowledge exchange:

- Our strategy is to remain alert to KE opportunities, using the
well-developed knowledge exchange infrastructures at UoB and
QMUL. We shall be alert to opportunities for interdisciplinary
research opportunities.

- We shall provide skilled, well-trained students and PDRAs (with
excellent transferable skills) for the academic community and
non-academic professional sectors. This includes training of young
scientists as part of major international collaborations led by the
applicants (i.e., as formally recognised structures within
collaborations); and UK-wide training of PhD students (co-leading an
STFC Postgraduate School on exoplanets and asteroseismology;
lecturing at this and other STFC Summer Schools);

- We are also active in areas that bring "additionality", e.g.,
Professor Elsworth serves on the STFC PPAN committee;

- There is also knowledge transfer to the astronomy community, i.e.,
the solar/stellar and exoplanet communities and the wider astronomy
community (where our work has relevance in galactic, extra-galactic
and cosmology studies). This will be achieved by publications in
refereed journals (including high-impact, non-specialist journals
like Science and Nature); and seminars and talks to a wide
professional audience, including the general astronomical community
and the solar and stellar physics communities.