Astronomy Group

Our research aims to better understand the nature of cosmic objects and the life cycle of stars including the impact of surrounding galaxies.
Our research aims to better understand the nature of cosmic objects and the life cycle of stars including the impact of surrounding galaxies.
We examine how our universe works and answers some of the big questions surrounding it. We study planetary objects to understand the relationship between them and the interaction between the Sun and the magnetospheres and upper atmospheres of several planets.
Our work covers 3 areas:
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.
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.
We are leading large projects across the optical, infrared, X-ray and radio wavelengths studying the time-domain universe. This includes research that covers a range of astrophysical events. 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 on our Supernova group page.