Astrophysics Research at Liverpool John Moores University

我们建议开展一项研究方案，在广泛的范围内解决最前沿的天体物理问题。我们的工作涉及PPARC的几个关键科学优先事项，将在两个相互关联的主要主题下进行：(I)TME领域天体物理学(Ii)星系和活动星系核。特别是，我们希望探索：伽马射线暴的起源和更广泛的重要性，这是宇宙中最强大的爆炸；通过观测新星在我们自己的星系和其他星系中的爆炸，了解它们的基本性质；通过微透镜研究银河系的结构；影响星系演化的环境因素，以及超大质量黑洞在星系发展中所起的作用。我们的研究使用最先进的地面望远镜、星载卫星和数据分析技术来进行从伽马射线到射电波长的观测，ARI的工作人员是许多新一代测量的主要参与者。我们工作的很大一部分涉及时间域研究，这现在通过我们自己的机器人利物浦望远镜项目和我们在开发全球机器人望远镜网络(如Robonet)方面的领先地位而成为可能。这些项目在技术上要求很高，并在ARI得到了通过e-Science方案在调度和机器人控制软件方面的最新发展的支持。ARI的结构和组织旨在提供国际优秀的研究和高效的教学计划。工作人员受益于对研究基础设施的持续投资方案，ARI在开发和利用外联机会方面是一个主要的国际参与者。该研究所也得到了大学的大力支持，例如，最近任命了几名新工作人员，以进一步加强我们的研究工作。

We propose to carry out a programme of research tackling cutting-edge astrophysical problems on a wide range of scales. Our work, which addresses several of PPARC's key scientific priorities, will be conducted under two main and interlinked themes: (i) Tme Domain Astrophysics (ii) Galaxies and Active Galactic Nuclei. In particular we wish to explore: the origin and wider importance of Gamma Ray Bursts, the most powerful explosions in the Universe; the fundamental properties of novae from observations of their explosions in our own and other galaxies; the structure of the Milky Way through microlensing studies; the environmental factors that influence galaxy evolution, and the part played in the development of galaxies by supermassive black holes. Our research uses the most advanced ground-based telescopes, space-borne satellites and data analysis tecniques to carry out observations from gamma rays to radio wavelengths and ARI staff are leading players in many of the new generation surveys. A significant fraction of our work involves time-domain studies, now made possible through our own robotic Liverpool Telescope project and our lead in developing global robotic telescope networks such as RoboNet. These projects are technically demanding and are supported at ARI by the latest developments in scheduling and robotic control software through e-Science programmes. The structure and organisation of the ARI is designed to deliver internationally excellent research, with efficient teaching programmes. Staff benefit from a continual programme of investment in research infrastructure and the ARI is a major international player in developing and exploiting outreach opportunities. The Institute in turn enjoys excellent support from the University which has enabled, for example, the recent appointment of several new staff to strenghten further our research work.