A consolidated grant for Sheffield Astrophysics
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Sheffield
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
The aim of this proposal is to support a programme of internationally excellent research in astrophysics at Sheffield, building on our recent research achievements, and tied to the exploitation of leading international facilities supported by STFC and UKSA.
Planned Impact
The main ways in which our research makes an impact outside the academic community is via our knowledge exchange and outreach activities. To summarise:
1. Knowledge exchange. This is primarily based on the building of the ULTRACAM instrument, which has led to the development of a new data acquisition system that is now used on a host of other instruments.
2. Outreach. Over the last three years members of the Sheffield astrophysics group have delivered more than 40 talks to schools and astronomical societies, 30 in-house master classes for school students, and several press releases, based on their research activities.
Details are given in our pathways to impact statement that is included as an attachment.
1. Knowledge exchange. This is primarily based on the building of the ULTRACAM instrument, which has led to the development of a new data acquisition system that is now used on a host of other instruments.
2. Outreach. Over the last three years members of the Sheffield astrophysics group have delivered more than 40 talks to schools and astronomical societies, 30 in-house master classes for school students, and several press releases, based on their research activities.
Details are given in our pathways to impact statement that is included as an attachment.
Organisations
Publications
Dhillon V
(2013)
The SW Sex enigma
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Dicken D
(2014)
SPITZER MID-IR SPECTROSCOPY OF POWERFUL 2Jy AND 3CRR RADIO GALAXIES. II. AGN POWER INDICATORS AND UNIFICATION
in The Astrophysical Journal
Doran E
(2013)
The VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey XI. A census of the hot luminous stars and their feedback in 30 Doradus
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Doressoundiram A
(2013)
Ground-based exploration of the outer Solar system by serendipitous stellar occultations?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Dunstall P
(2012)
The VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey V. The peculiar B[e]-like supergiant, VFTS698, in 30 Doradus???
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Emonts B
(2013)
CO(1-0) detection of molecular gas in the massive Spiderweb Galaxy (z = 2)?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Emonts B
(2014)
CO(1-0) survey of high-z radio galaxies: alignment of molecular halo gas with distant radio sources?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Föhring D
(2013)
ULTRACAM z'-band detection of the secondary eclipse of WASP-12b
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Goodwin S
(2013)
Binary mass ratios: system mass not primary mass
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Hambleton K
(2013)
KIC 4544587: an eccentric, short-period binary system with d Sct pulsations and tidally excited modes
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Description | Key findings include the following: - First clear demonstration that molecules can be accelerated in fast shocks driven be relativistic jets in AGN. - Discovery that the cool ISM masses of the host galaxies of radio-loud AGN are relatively low, suggesting that the AGN are triggered in modest, rather than major mergers. - Ultracam observations of a pulsar orbiting a white dwarf leading to stringent tests of General Relativity. - Development of the ULTRASPEC instrument on the Thai National Telescope. - First accurate census of massive stars and their feedback effect in the key 30 Doradus star forming region - Substantially improved determination of the spatial distribution of Wolf Rayet stars in the Milky Way |
Exploitation Route | It is hoped that the results will be useful in outreach activities that inspire students in schools to become involved in science as a career, and also encourage an interest in science in older generations. |
Sectors | Education |
Description | The research results obtained over the period of the grant have informed an number of outreach/publish understanding events: - several talks to schools and amateur societies; - large-scale outreach events such as the "Sounds of the Cosmos" and "Back to the Future" events in Sheffield and elsewhere. |
First Year Of Impact | 2012 |
Impact Types | Cultural,Societal |