Rolling Grant Programme in Astrophysics, Planetary Science and Space Instrumentation - 2010-2015

我们提出了一个世界级的研究计划，包括天体物理学、行星科学和空间仪器。在高能天体物理学方面，我们将研究一系列极端现象，包括伽马射线暴和吸积黑洞，主要通过使用空间天文台，如xmm -牛顿和斯威夫特，并结合多波段跟踪。我们的课程还侧重于矮星的天体物理学，从炽热的白矮星到褐矮星，利用从红外到紫外线的观测数据。我们还将继续寻找围绕附近恒星运行的行星，利用WASP进行的新的天空调查。在行星科学方面，我们打算利用远程成像、原位航天器测量和建模相结合的方法，推进我们对土星、木星和水星极光过程的比较研究。一项新的研究旨在描述小行星、彗星以及从星际空间进入太阳系的颗粒的组成特征。在空间仪器方面，我们正在进行x射线干涉测量的突破性研究，最终目标是首次在高能天体物理学中提供超高分辨率成像能力。我们还将研究一种非常低质量的x射线光学的潜力，用于各种应用，包括每天监测整个天空，对瞬态x射线事件具有前所未有的灵敏度，以及对地球磁层中太阳风电荷交换的成像。最后，我们还建议保持对知识转移和公众宣传的坚定承诺。

We propose a world-class programme of research encompassing astrophysics, planetary science and space instrumentation. In high energy astrophysics, we will investigate a range of extreme phenomena including gamma-ray bursts and accreting black holes, primarily through the use of space observatories such as XMM-Newton and Swift combined with multiwaveband follow-up. Our programme also focuses on the astrophysics of dwarf stars, from hot white dwarfs through to brown dwarfs, utilising observational data in the infrared through to the ultraviolet. We will also continue to search for planets in orbit around nearby stars, exploiting the novel sky survey being conducted by WASP. In planetary science we intend to progress our comparative study of auroral processes on Saturn, Jupiter and Mercury using a combination of remote imaging, in situ spacecraft measurements and modelling. A new strand of research aims at characterising the composition of asteroids and comets and also grains entering the solar system from interstellar space. In space instrumentation, we are engaged in ground-breaking research into X-ray interferometry with the eventual goal of providing, for the first time, an ultra-high resolution imaging capability in high energy astrophysics. We will also investigate the potential of a very low-mass X-ray optic for a diverse range of applications including monitoring the whole sky on a daily basis with an unprecedented sensitivity for transient X-ray events and the imaging of Solar Wind Charge Exchange in the Earth's magnetosphere. Finally we also propose to maintain a very strong commitment to knowledge transfer and to public outreach.