Minor icy bodies (origin and evolution) and cosmic dust

天体物理学和行星科学中心请求长期资助，以支持一个成功的既定方案，研究太阳系、恒星和恒星系统的起源。我们希望探索新的物理概念，并开发与特定物理过程，配置和组件相关的新想法。天体物理学中最关键的问题之一是：恒星是如何形成的？即使使用现代CCD，我们的经典光学望远镜的用途也有限，因为即使是红光也无法穿透星星形成区。此外，当我们意识到星星形成区域是短暂的云时，我们的经典理论已经跌跌撞撞，失败了。近年来，我们发现了观测和理论技术来克服这些问题，并共同取得进展。至少我们现在可以回答这个问题：我们如何知道一颗星星正在形成？红外天文学和数值模拟为揭示和解释星星形成的物理过程提供了新的手段。英国天体物理学家现在处于前沿，拥有一流的观测计划和设施，以及先进的数值方法和计算基础设施。肯特研究人员的目标是通过红外观测、三维数值模拟和先进的理论建模的综合方案保持在最前沿，所有这些方案都旨在探索原恒星和包含它们的云的快速演化的物理规律。通过直接预测和开发，滚动赠款将支持英国在太空和地面项目上的投资。这种瞬态物体的物理学涉及不同背景下的超高速流动。然而，即使进化到太阳系，超高速仍然发挥着突出的作用。肯特提供了探索速度远远超过每秒一公里的撞击的机会，这对空间科学和探索中的许多主题至关重要。天体在这种撞击下的演化和生存是太阳系演化的一个主要课题（例如撞击坑、灾难性破坏等）。此外，空间飞行任务在超高速撞击中捕获的小粒子是关于太阳系的丰富信息来源。

The Centre for Astrophysics \& Planetary Science requests long-term funding to support a successful established programme of research into the origins of the solar system, stars and stellar systems. We wish to explore novel physical concepts and develop fresh ideas associated with specific physical processes, configurations and components. One of the most crucial questions in Astrophysics remaining to be answered is: how do stars form? Even with modern CCDs, our classical optical telescopes are of limited use since even red light cannot penetrate out of star forming regions. Furthermore, our classical theory has stumbled and failed as we realise that star forming regions are ephemeral clouds. In recent years, we have found observational and theoretical techniques to overcome these problems and together make progress. At least we can now answer the question: how do we know a star is forming? Thus, infrared astronomy and numerical simulations have provided a new means to uncover and explain the physics of star formation. UK astrophysicists are now at the forefront with superb observing programmes and facilities, as well as advanced numerical methods and computing infrastructure. The Kent researchers aim to remain at the forefront through an integrated programme of infrared observations, three dimensional numerical simulations and advanced theoretical modelling, all aimed at exploring the physics governing the rapid evolution of protostars and the clouds which contain them. Through direct predictions and exploitation, the rolling grant will support the UK investment in space and ground-based projects. This physics of transient objects involves hypervelocity flows in diverse contexts. However, even once evolved into the solar system, hypervelocity continues to play a prominent role. Kent offers the opportunity to explore impacts at speeds far in excess of one kilometre per second, crucial to many topics in space science and exploration. The evolution and survival of objects against such impacts is a major topic in Solar System evolution (e.g. cratering, catastrophic disruption etc.). In addition, small particles captured by space missions in hypervelocity impacts are a rich source of information about the Solar System.