MSSL Astrophysics Consolidated Grant 2022-25

This consolidated grant application comprises a portfolio of related projects across the fields of astrophysics and instrumentation.

The astrophysics projects are in four strands: exoplanets; galaxy formation & evolution; cosmology and high-energy astrophysics. These each have a direct and influential connection with the space facilities by which each field is or will be transformed. This is the particular advantage held by the Group, providing a noteworthy dimension to the work we propose.

However our programme is by no means limited by MSSL hardware exploitation or even the exploitation of missions flying our hardware. Rather, every route available is considered, including ground-based facilities, when gathering the data necessary to understand the science questions that we address and that have been identified by STFC as being important.

Our proposed instrumentation research is focused on the development of technology for the measurement of gamma rays simultaneously with the gravitational wave emission. The Consolidated Grant also sets the foundation for the expoitation of future missions including PLATO, Euclid, and LISA in which we have significant roles.

We present eight projects, aligned with these four fields of expertise. In order, these are one case on exoplanets and their host stars (Van Eylen), three cases in galaxy formation and evolution (Kawata, Schoenrich, Page), one case in Cosmology (Kitching), two cases in high energy astrophysics/extreme gravity environments (Wu, Zane) and a technical case for the development of scintillator and detector technology to catch the electromagnetic flash from gravitational wave sources (Cropper).