Astronomers at the University of Leicester will use space missions, ground-based telescopes, and computer simulations to study planets orbiting other stars and the most extreme environments in the Universe, from black holes to exploding stars. This work addresses fundamental questions about how galaxies form and evolve, what happens in the violent neighbourhoods of black holes, and whether other solar systems resemble our own. It also tackles one of the biggest puzzles in physics: the nature of dark matter, which makes up most of the Universe’s mass but remains invisible to telescopes. This is primarily curiosity-driven fundamental science. There is no immediate practical application. But the research also develops new detectors and instrumental techniques for future space missions, and the department has a track record of spin-off technologies that drive progress in areas far removed from astrophysics. Past fundamental research in astronomy has led to breakthroughs in medical imaging, wireless communications, and satellite navigation. A deeper understanding of dark matter or planetary systems could, in time, open similarly unexpected doors.
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We will deliver world-class research programmes in astrophysics through the exploitation of data from space missions and ground based telescopes, as well as the development of new theories and the numerical simulation of processes in these areas. We will also develop new instrumental techniques and detectors for future missions and telescopes. The research programme is based mainly around two research groups, with some participation by three others. These groups conduct their own research projects but also have a strong ethos of collaboration on topics of mutual interest. Our research seeks to understand basic processes in our own and other galaxies, addressing questions of great interest to the wider public. We will search for new planets orbiting nearby stars which may mimic the planets that are present in our own solar system or possibly be very different, such as hot Neptunes, or Super Earths. We will investigate some of the most extreme environments in our Universe by high energy astrophysics research focusing on extreme phenomena ranging from Galactic black hole binaries, through to active galactic nuclei and gamma-ray bursts. These studies will include the feedback processes that link black holes to the evolution of their host galaxies. We will maintain and enhance a programme in stellar astronomy with emphasis on the astrophysics of white dwarf stars. We will be using high performance computers to simulate these systems theoretically. This in turn will help our observations and vice versa. Through these simulations we will build theories and models of how these extreme systems behave. We will use these simulations to try to understand the `dark' matter which constitutes much of the material content of the Universe. We will use laboratory experimentation to develop new ways to observe these phenomena, building new instruments for the next generation of space missions. This work also offers spin-off activities which often drive progress in areas far removed from astrophysics. Our department has an active programme of engagement with the wider community, particularly school age children, who are thrilled to hear about research in the Department. We will maintain a strong commitment to knowledge transfer for academic beneficiaries.
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