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方案，包括天体物理学、行星科学和空间仪器。在高能天体物理学中，我们将研究一系列极端现象，包括伽马射线爆发和吸积黑洞，主要是通过使用空间天文台，如XMM-牛顿和斯威夫特结合多波段后续行动。我们的计划还侧重于矮星的天体物理学，从热白色矮星到棕矮星，利用红外线到紫外线的观测数据。我们还将继续利用WASP正在进行的新颖的天空调查来搜索附近恒星轨道上的行星。在行星科学方面，我们打算综合利用遥感成像、航天器现场测量和建模，推进对土星、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和彗星的成分，以及从星际空间进入太阳系的颗粒。在空间仪器方面，我们正在进行突破性的X射线干涉测量研究，最终目标是首次提供高能天体物理学的超高分辨率成像能力。我们还将研究一种非常低质量的X射线光学器件在各种应用中的潜力，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，并对地球磁层中的太阳风电荷交换进行成像。最后，我们还建议继续坚定地致力于知识转让和公共宣传。

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.