Rolling Grant
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: Mullard Space Science Laboratory
Abstract
A Rolling Grant is designed to support a programme of research within a particular domain. The domain in this case is Space Science, in particular the fields of: 1. Compact Objects (Black Holes and Neutron Stars, seeking to understand the physics associated with the enormously compact objects. this includes studying Gamma-ray bursts (giant supernovae in distant galaxies), isolated neutron stars including those with gigantic magnetic fields, and black holes); 2. Galaxy Formation and Evolution (Understanding these processes using extremely sophisticated computer modelling techniques. Looking at the role of Active Galactic Nuclei, the history of star formation and the role of feedback) 3. Magnetic Coupling and the Heliosphere (The emergence of magnetic field structures on the Sun, how solar eruptions are triggered, the creation of the Solar Wind and how it affects the Earth); 4. Plasma Physics of the Terrestrial and Planetary Environments (The Earth and some other planets are surrounded and protected by magnetic fields which provide a local laboratory for fundamental research into how charged particles interact with complex magnetic field structures. Through the use of in-situ space probes we will study these processes to gain a fuller understanding of this important physics. Many solar system bodies do not have a protective magnetic field and so we will also study the these interactions, especially planets and moons with an atmospheres (e.g. Mars and Titan)); 5. Planetary Surfaces (The surfaces of planets, particularly Mars, provide interesting and alternative geological and meteorological settings to the Earth. We plan to use the plethora of observational data available from currently orbiting spacecraft to study in great detail these terrains). 6. Enabling technologies (Miniature, very low temperature coolers, auroral imagers and plasma analysers will be developed. New methods of constructing 3-dimensional models of planetary surfaces will be produced. A study will be made (with impact trials) of the survivability of an instrumented penetrator into ice at around 700 miles per hour).
Organisations
Publications
Dartnell LR
(2011)
Degradation of cyanobacterial biosignatures by ionizing radiation.
in Astrobiology
Suh H
(2010)
DEMOGRAPHY OF SLOAN DIGITAL SKY SURVEY EARLY-TYPE GALAXIES FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF RADIAL COLOR GRADIENTS
in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
Chmyrev V
(2013)
Detection and monitoring of earthquake precursors: TwinSat, a Russia-UK satellite project
in Advances in Space Research
Ågren K
(2011)
Detection of currents and associated electric fields in Titan's ionosphere from Cassini data IONOSPHERIC CURRENTS AT TITAN
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Tokar R
(2012)
Detection of exospheric O 2 + at Saturn's moon Dione
in Geophysical Research Letters
Ackermann M
(2013)
Detection of the characteristic pion-decay signature in supernova remnants.
in Science (New York, N.Y.)
Ackermann M
(2013)
DETERMINATION OF THE POINT-SPREAD FUNCTION FOR THE FERMI LARGE AREA TELESCOPE FROM ON-ORBIT DATA AND LIMITS ON PAIR HALOS OF ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI
in The Astrophysical Journal
Harra L
(2010)
Determining the Solar Source of a Magnetic Cloud Using a Velocity Difference Technique
in Solar Physics
Leier D
(2012)
Diagnostics of baryonic cooling in lensing galaxies Baryonic cooling in lensing galaxies
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Gurgiolo C
(2012)
Direct observations of the formation of the solar wind halo from the strahl
in Annales Geophysicae
Description | Significant improved understanding in the fields of astrophysics, space plasma physics, solar physics, planetary sciences and instrumentation |
Exploitation Route | Through peer reviewed publications |
Sectors | Other |
Description | Consolidated Grants |
Amount | £2,537,157 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ST/N000722/1 |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2016 |
End | 03/2019 |
Description | Consolidated Grants |
Amount | £1,138,583 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ST/N000811/1 |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2016 |
End | 03/2019 |
Description | STFC Consolidated Grant |
Amount | £2,145,073 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ST/K000977/1 |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2013 |
End | 03/2017 |
Title | Cryogenic system elements |
Description | Elements of millK Adiabatic Demagnetisation Refrigerators including heatswitches and magnets. Magnets, cryogenics, vacuum |
Type Of Technology | Systems, Materials & Instrumental Engineering |
Year Produced | 2011 |
Impact | Development will lead to minaturization of coolers which will make them more suitable for space and ground-based applications |