Astronomy Theory at Newcastle University

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The proposed research programme in astronomy theory at Newcastle University includes six projects. Their unifying theme is the focus on hydrodynamic (HD) and magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) processes, ranging in scale from stars to the large-scale cosmological structure. Newcastle is an internationally leading research centre in the area of astrophysical HD and, especially, MHD. The proposed research involves a wide range of physical processes and a wide range of models and tools, including effective field theory models in cosmology, and analytical MHD models and state-of-the-art numerical simulations for a range of astrophysical objects in a variety of geometries. All of the proposed work also includes extensive comparisons with the latest observations.The proposed programme will contribute to several research areas of strategic importance, including problems identified inSTFC's Big Questions of Science Roadmap:A:2 How did structure first form? (Project 4: Psi in the sky: Dark Matter as a light scalar, Project 6: Magnetic fields in the cosmic web)A:3 What are the roles of dark matter and dark energy? (Project 4)A:5 How do galaxies evolve? (Project 1: New methods for exploiting broadband radio-polarimetry, Project 3: A new generation of semi-analytic galaxy formation models., and Project 5: Internal gravity waves in evolved, intermediate mass stars)A:6 How do stars form and how do they evolve? (Project 2: Superfluid dynamics in neutron stars and Project 5)D:1 How do the laws of physics work when driven to the extremes? (Project 2)D:2 How can high energy particles and gravitational waves tell us about the extreme universe? (Project 3)D:3 How do ultra-compact objects form, what is their nature and how does extreme gravity impact on their surroundings? (Project 2)