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Research group

Astronomy

Night sky

Our research aims to better understand the nature of cosmic objects and the life cycle of stars including the impact of surrounding galaxies.

About

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:

Compact objects


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.

Time domain astronomy


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.

Research highlights

People, projects and publications

People

Mr Calvin Sykes PhD

SRA in Hydrodynamics & S/w Engineering

Connect with Calvin

Professor Christian Knigge

Professor of Astrophysics

Connect with Christian

Email: c.knigge@soton.ac.uk

Address: B46, West Highfield Campus, University Road, SO17 1BJ (View in Google Maps)

Doctor Christopher Frohmaier

Senior Research Fellow

Connect with Christopher

Email: c.frohmaier@soton.ac.uk

Address: B46, West Highfield Campus, University Road, SO17 1BJ (View in Google Maps)

Doctor Daniel Whiter

Lecturer

Connect with Daniel

Email: d.whiter@soton.ac.uk

Address: B46, West Highfield Campus, University Road, SO17 1BJ (View in Google Maps)

Professor Diego Altamirano

Professor

Connect with Diego

Email: d.altamirano@soton.ac.uk

Address: B46, West Highfield Campus, University Road, SO17 1BJ (View in Google Maps)

Professor Francesco Shankar

Professor of Astrophysics

Connect with Francesco

Email: f.shankar@soton.ac.uk

Address: B46, West Highfield Campus, University Road, SO17 1BJ (View in Google Maps)

Mr Hao Fu

Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellow ITN

Connect with Hao

Doctor Imogen Gingell

Royal Society University Research Fellow

Connect with Imogen

Email: i.l.gingell@soton.ac.uk

Address: B46, West Highfield Campus, University Road, SO17 1BJ (View in Google Maps)

Doctor Kamalam Thillaimaharajan

Research Fellow in Auroral Physics

Connect with Kamalam

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