Astrophysics

The wide range of research programmes carried out by the group are centred on four major areas each linked to experimental and instrumental programmes which are at the cutting edge of astronomical technology. These areas are:

• The Formation of Stars and Planets
  • The Atacama Large Millimetre Array (ALMA)
  • James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT)
  
  
• Observational Cosmology of the Microwave Background Radiation
  • The Arcminute Microkelvin Imager (AMI)
  • The ESA Planck Surveyor Satellite
  
  
• The Formation and Evolution of Galaxies
  • The Low Frequency Array (LOFAR)
  • The Square Kilometre Array (SKA)
  
  
• High Resolution Imaging of Stellar Systems and Active Galactic Nuclei
  • The Magdalena Ridge Observatory (MRO)
  
  

These activities are supported by theoretical studies, particularly in the area of fundamental physics applications in Relativity and Cosmology, as well as modelling and simulation of astronomical phenomena.

Development

The major area of development is the relocation of the Astrophysics Group to new buildings on the site of the Institute of Astronomy. The Kavli Cosmology Institute will house the Astrophysics and Cosmology activities, while the Astrophysics Building will house the Experimental Astrophysics component. The first phase of this development is already funded through the Kavli Foundation. The top priority funding for the Development Office is for the construction of the second phase, which is the construction of the Astrophysics Building.

Subject to the long-term plans of the future of the Lord's Bridge Observatory, there are opportunities for the development of a Radio Astronomy Heritage and Education Centre, building on existing outreach facilities.