As well as research, our astrophysicists engage in various outreach activities with local schools.Research areas
The study of extrasolar planets – planets located outside our own solar system – is a rapidly growing and increasingly competitive research area, high on the priorities of UK and European funding agencies. It has also captured the public imagination.
Within the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, the University has a unique pool of expertise which enables researchers to establish direct comparisons between observations and modelling.
Their work focuses on:
- planet formation
- the structure and atmosphere of giant extrasolar planets
- detection and measurement of potential terrestrial and habitable planets
- and the origin of planetary dynamos and their impact on planetary evolution.
Simulations of star and planet formation are being developed by Professor Matthew Bate and Professor Keke Zhang.
Main focus areas
Delving deep into planetary interiors
A team of engineers and mathematicians is working on large scale numerical simulations of thermal convection and convection driven dynamos taking place in the deep interiors of planets like Jupiter and Saturn. This work is vital in understanding the processes that drive exoplanets.
Planet formation around stars
This world leading theoretical work, the study of the fast spinning discs of gas and dust which surround every young star, and of how planets form within these discs, is carried out by Professor Matthew Bate and Professor Keke Zhang.
