Open University Consolidated Grant Phase 1

我们将研究现代天体物理学中一些最重要的问题。我们的方案旨在：（a）测量银河系物质基本成分的构成和组成。这包括了解恒星之间空间中的高能“宇宙射线”粒子来自何处;使用STFC的新射电望远镜LOFAR对胎盘电离出生地（称为HII区域）进行观测，研究大质量恒星的诞生和演化;研究年轻的大质量星星团如何通过紫外线辐射影响其局部空间区域，以及它们如何将存款物质和机械能返回太空。最后，了解一些大质量恒星是如何快速形成大质量恒星残余物的，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，以了解附近的行星是否被其宿主星星吞噬。我们正在努力探测可居住的系外行星，包括研究我们是否可以利用宿主星星大气的化学成分来识别具有岩石行星的系统。我们也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流过程的贡献。c）在更大的尺度上，我们试图了解整个宇宙的结构和历史：研究巨大星系中的暗物质分布，了解黑洞吸积如何影响星星的形成;并使用赫歇尔和地面望远镜的数据，评估遥远的恒星形成星系的物理和形态学特性，并研究宇宙能量收支的演变。d）在实验室中进行实验，模拟太空中尘埃颗粒中分子的形成，导致复杂的化学反应，这是宇宙中生命的前身，并探索火星和泰坦的化学反应。e）最后，我们建议发展和扩大我们独特的公众参与和外展计划，将宇宙的兴奋带给公众和下一代年轻人。

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.