An Astrophysics Consolidated Grant for the Jeremiah Horrocks Institute

中央兰开夏大学的天体物理学小组在许多不同的领域进行研究，包括太阳物理学、恒星变异性和星系形成。这项拨款要求资源支持我们的核心活动，包括利用最新的地面和天基天文台的数据，并对星团和星系的形成进行最先进的模拟。该基金涵盖的关键领域包括：太阳物理学——利用诸如太阳动力学观测站、STEREO和Hinode等天基观测站来研究太阳活动和太阳对太阳系的影响。它追溯了太阳大气中磁性特征的发展，它们以耀斑和日冕物质抛射的形式爆发，以及物质流入太空时的传播。这将由驱动太阳活动及其对日球层影响的磁场过程的计算机模拟来补充。恒星变异性——开普勒、SALT、ALMA和SOFIA等国际天文台将用于研究不同类型的变星和爆发星。不同的变星将使用星震学进行研究，在星震学中，恒星随时间的脉动被用来探测其动力学和结构。演化的喷发变星的喷出物将在微米到毫米的范围内进行探测，以确定喷出物的成分并了解尘埃的形成。星团和星系的形成-大型超级计算机将用于模拟星团和星系的形成和演化，包括银河系，使用内部和密切合作者开发的数字代码套件。星系的结构和动力学——将观测和理论工具结合起来，探测星系的行为和发生在其中的现象。这包括测量恒星形成速率及其与暗物质含量的关系，模拟天体物理喷流，以及大型类星体群的结构。利用天体物理学小组的各种专业知识是一个广泛的外展计划，利用我们专门建造的天文台。天文台已广泛供学校和公众参观团体使用，我们会进一步发展该场地，以增加公众参与的潜力。这一方案的制定将促进与新受众的接触。

The astrophysics group at the University of Central Lancashire carries out research in many different areas, including, solar physics, stellar variability, and galaxy formation.This grant requests resources to support our core activities, including the exploitation of data from the latest ground- and space-based observatories, and to carry out state-of-the-art simulations of the formation of star clusters and galaxies.The key areas covered by the grant are:Solar physics - where space-based observatories such as the Solar Dynamics Observatory, STEREO, and Hinode will be exploited to investigate solar activity and the effect of the Sun on the solar system. This traces the development of magnetic features in the solar atmosphere, their eruption as flares and coronal mass ejections, and the propagation of material as it flows into space. This will be complemented by computer modelling of the magnetic processes that drive solar activity and its impact in the heliosphere.Stellar variability - where international observatories such as Kepler, SALT, ALMA, and SOFIA will be used to study different types of variable and eruptive stars. Different variable stars will be investigated using asteroseismology, where the pulsations of stars over time are used to probe the dynamics and structure. Ejecta from evolved eruptive variable stars will be probed in the micron to millimetre range to determine the ejecta composition and understand dust formation.Formation of star clusters and galaxies - where large supercomputers will be used to simulate the formation and evolution of star clusters and galaxies, including the Milky Way, using suites of numerical codes developed in-house and with close collaborators.Structure and dynamics of galaxies - where observational and theoretical tools are combined to probe the behaviour of galaxies and phenomena that occur within them. This ranges from measurement of the star formation rate and its relation to dark matter content, to simulations of astrophysical jets, and the structure of large quasar groups.Exploiting the varied expertise of the astrophysics group is an extensive outreach programme which utilises our purpose-built observatory. The observatory is already extensively used for visiting groups from schools and the general public, and the site will be developed to enhance its potential for public engagement. This programme will be developed to promote engagement with new audiences.