The astronomy group within the Department of Physics & Astronomy
is involved in a wide range of teaching and research activities.
Our Department was ranked joint 7th in the
2008 Research Assessment Exercise, which also noted the world-leading output of
our astronomy group. Our research interests cover two broad themes, the building blocks of
galaxy evolution, and high time resolution astrophysics. The first
observational
sub-group encompasses the properties, formation and evolution of
massive stars - including black hole
binaries
- star clusters, starbursts and the triggering/feedback effect of Active Galaxies.
The high time resolution astrophysics sub-group exploit the ULTRACAM and ULTRASPEC
instruments, to study various transient phenonena, including
close binaries. It is intended for ULTRASPEC to be permanently mounted
at the Thai National Observatory
2.4m telescope. Our observational strength is reflected by success with allocations on heavily oversubscribed
ground-based (VLT, Gemini) and space-based (Hubble, Spitzer) telescopes.
This is underpinned by growing theoretical interest, including simulations of star formation and star
cluster evolution. Recent group papers can be found via
arXiv.org.
We teach three and four-year Physics & Astrophysics degree programmes. Our University has been awarded the UK University of the Year in the 2011 Times Higher Education Awards. Undergraduates have access to the rooftop robotic imaging telescope ROSA, plus a 16 inch Meade telescope equipped with an imager and spectrograph. An annual field trip to the pt5m telescope on La Palma is available. There is also the opportunity for M.Phys students to spend their third year studying in the United States, Canada or Australia, or their final year working as a support astronomer at the Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes on La Palma. A broad range of undergraduate courses are available covering all aspects of astrophysics from the solar system, through stars and galaxies to cosmology, including lecture courses dedicated to astrobiology, dark matter and the history of astronomy.
Last Updated: 9th October 2012, Paul Kerry
We teach three and four-year Physics & Astrophysics degree programmes. Our University has been awarded the UK University of the Year in the 2011 Times Higher Education Awards. Undergraduates have access to the rooftop robotic imaging telescope ROSA, plus a 16 inch Meade telescope equipped with an imager and spectrograph. An annual field trip to the pt5m telescope on La Palma is available. There is also the opportunity for M.Phys students to spend their third year studying in the United States, Canada or Australia, or their final year working as a support astronomer at the Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes on La Palma. A broad range of undergraduate courses are available covering all aspects of astrophysics from the solar system, through stars and galaxies to cosmology, including lecture courses dedicated to astrobiology, dark matter and the history of astronomy.
A list of PhD projects for prospective postgraduate students for
Autumn 2013 entry is available here.
Dedicated 3-4 year astronomy studentships are available (departmental and STFC-funded), the former
particularly suitable for EU-based applicants.
