The Astronomy group is part of:
- STAG (Southampton Theory, Astronomy and Gravity Research Centre), which combines researchers across Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics.
- South-East Physics Network (SEPnet), a consortium of nine universities for advancing and protecting Physics.
- Data Intensive Science Centre in SEPnet (DISCnet), an STFC-funded Centre for Doctoral Training in data-intensive science.
Our group leads studies of compact object science and galaxy evolution. We are pioneering data-intensive time-domain surveys across the electromagnetic spectrum to understand the growth and expansion of galaxies and the universe. We are at the forefront of studies of our nearby space environment.
Our work and research cover 3 areas:
Compact objects and Galaxy Evolution
We are a leading group in the UK researching the growth and evolution of compact objects. This includes white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes across their full mass scale. We use multiwavelength observations to examine the relationship between the phenomena of accretion and outflows. This is bringing us closer to understanding how some of the most extreme objects in the cosmos form, grow and change with time, and how they impact their surrounding galaxies.
Space environment physics
As part of the Astronomy group, the Space Environmental Physics group study the interaction between the Sun and the magnetospheres and upper atmospheres of several planets in the Solar System. For example, large-scale dynamics of magnetospheres and the behaviour of the aurora on the finest scales.
Data-Intensive astronomy
We are leading intensive surveys of the optical, infrared and X-ray cosmos. We gather and analyse vast amounts of astronomical data to interpret the workings of nature on the biggest physical scales and at the most extreme energies. Our work melds frontline computing and statistical analysis techniques with data from some of the largest telescopes.
We are spearheading studies of time-domain astrophysics, from supernovae and other cosmic explosions to variability from accretion onto black holes on the timescale of milliseconds. We aim to discover new transient events in the sky and to use their characteristic variations to better understand extreme physics and the life cycles of stars. Find out more in our Supernova group and our Multiwavelength accretion and transients group.