Open University Consolidated Grant Phase 1

我们将广泛研究现代天体物理学中的一些最重要的问题。我们的计划旨在：a)测量我们银河系中物质的基本成分的组成和组成。这包括了解恒星之间空间中高能宇宙射线粒子的来源；利用STFC的新射电望远镜LOFAR对胎盘电离发源地(称为HII区)的观测，研究大质量恒星的诞生和演化；研究年轻的大质量星团如何通过紫外线辐射影响其局部空间区域，以及它们如何将物质和机械能储存回太空。最后，为了了解一些大质量恒星是如何相当快地形成大质量恒星残骸的，比如黑洞。B)我们将研究系外行星，即围绕遥远恒星运行的行星。我们将观察其大气层的结构和性质，以了解近距离行星是否被其宿主恒星吞噬。我们正在致力于探测宜居的系外行星，包括检查我们是否可以利用主恒星大气的化学成分来识别系外行星与岩石行星。我们还在研究太阳系中的岩石行星：了解火星大气中的水和尘埃循环，以及金星大气中大气涡旋过程的贡献。C)在更大的尺度上，我们试图了解整个宇宙的结构和历史：研究巨型星系中的暗物质分布，了解黑洞吸积如何影响恒星形成；利用赫歇尔望远镜和地面望远镜的数据，评估遥远恒星形成星系的物理和形态特性，并研究宇宙不断演变的能量收支。D)在实验室中进行实验，以模拟太空中尘埃颗粒上分子的形成，从而产生作为宇宙生命前身的复杂化学，并探索火星和土卫六的化学。E)最后，我们建议发展和扩大我们独特的公众参与和外联方案，为广大公众和下一代年轻人带来宇宙的兴奋。

We will study a wide range of some of the most important problems in modern astrophysics. Our programme is aimed at: a) Measuring the make-up and composition of the basic components of material in our Galaxy. This includes understanding where energetic 'cosmic ray' particles in the space between stars come from; studying the birth and evolution of massive stars from observations of placental ionised birthplaces (called HII regions) using LOFAR, STFC's new radio telescope; examining how young massive star clusters influence their local region of space via their UV radiation, and how they deposit material and mechanical energy back into space. Finally, to understand how some massive stars quite quickly form massive stellar remnants, such as black holes. b) We will study exoplanets, planets orbiting around distant stars. We will observe the structure and properties of their atmospheres, to learn whether close-in planets are consumed by their host star. We are working towards detecting habitable exoplanets, including examining whether we can identify systems with rocky planets using the chemical composition of the host star's atmosphere. We are also studying the rocky planets in the Solar System: to understand the water and dust cycles in in the Martian atmosphere and the contributions of atmospheric eddy processes in the atmosphere of Venus. c) On a much larger scale, we seek to understand the structure and history of the entire Universe: studying the dark matter distribution in giant galaxies, and understanding how black hole accretion affects star formation; and using data from the Herschel and ground based telescopes, assessing the physical and morphological properties of distant star-forming galaxies, and studying how the evolving energy budget of the Universe. d) Experimenting in the laboratory to mimic the formation of molecules in on dust grains in space that lead to the complex chemistry that acted as the precursor to life in the Universe, and to explore the chemistry of Mars and Titan. e) Finally, we propose developing and extending our unique programme of Public Engagement and Outreach, to bring the excitement of the Universe to the general public, and the next generation of young people.