skip to content
Home

Astrophysics

Read more at: About the group

About the group

The group carries out research into a wide range of topics involving astrophysical fluid dynamics and nonlinear dynamics. Specific astrophysical interests include the dynamics of astrophysical discs, planetary formation and evolution, extrasolar planetary systems and stellar magnetohydrodynamics (particularly dynamo theory, magnetoconvection and the physics of sunspots).

Read more at: Vacancies

Vacancies

Applications are welcomed for PhD studentships in the Astrophysics group (closing date 4 January 2024).

Read more at: PhD opportunties

PhD opportunties

A wide range of possible research topics is available and we welcome enquiries from potential applicants. The closing date for applications is 7 January 2025.

Read more at: Astrophysical dynamics

Astrophysical dynamics

Discs are ubiquitous in astrophysics and participate in some of its most important processes. Most, but not all, feed a central mass: by facilitating the transfer of angular momentum, they permit the accretion of material that would otherwise stay in orbit. As a consequence, discs are essential to star, planet and satellite formation. They also regulate the growth of supermassive black holes and thus indirectly influence galactic structure and the intra-cluster medium.

Read more at: Atomic astrophysics

Atomic astrophysics

Atomic physics plays a key role in astrophysics as astronomers' only information about a particular object comes through the light that it emits, and this light arises through atomic transitions. The main astronomical body that we study is the Sun and, in particular, the hot atmosphere of the Sun called the corona. The best parts of the electromagnetic spectrum to study the corona are the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and X-rays.

 

Recent Publications

CHIANTI—An Atomic Database for Emission Lines—Paper. XVIII. Version 11, Advanced Ionization Equilibrium Models: Density and Charge Transfer Effects
RP Dufresne, G Del Zanna, PR Young, KP Dere, E Deliporanidou, WT Barnes, E Landi
– The Astrophysical Journal
(2024)
974,
71
(doi: 10.3847/1538-4357/ad6765)
Instability and warping in vertically oscillating accretion discs
LE Held, GI Ogilvie
(2024)
Early stages of gap opening by planets in protoplanetary discs
AJ Cordwell, RR Rafikov
– Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
(2024)
534,
stae2089
(doi: 10.1093/mnras/stae2089)
Horseshoes and spiral waves: capturing the 3D flow induced by a low-mass planet analytically
JJ Brown, GI Ogilvie
(2024)
Horseshoes and spiral waves: capturing the 3D flow induced by a low-mass planet analytically
JJ Brown, GI Ogilvie
– Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
(2024)
534,
39
(doi: 10.1093/mnras/stae2060)

DAMTP Astrophysics Seminars

Steve Lubow (Space Science Telescope Institute, USA)
28
Oct
14:00 - 15:00: Title to be confirmed
Isobel Romero-Shaw (DAMTP)
04
Nov
14:00 - 15:00: Title to be confirmed
Rony Keppens (KEU Leuven, Belgium)
11
Nov
14:00 - 15:00: Title to be confirmed
Alexander Mushtukov (University of Oxford)
18
Nov
14:00 - 15:00: Title to be confirmed
Alex Ziampras (TU Munich, Germany)

Study at Cambridge

About the University

Research at Cambridge