Galactic Astrophysical Research

A major focus of work at MSSL is on objects that emit in the X- ray band. X-rays are emitted not only by ordinary stars but also by some of the most energy-intensive sources in the Universe, frequently associated either with condensed objects, such as neutron stars or black holes, or with pathological stellar conditions, such as RS CVn stars. Detailed observations at X-ray, ultraviolet and optical wavelengths of X-ray sources in our Galaxy are currently aimed at providing an accurate picture of the source geometry and studying phenomena such as accretion disk jets and winds. The masses and separations of binary sources and the presence of accretion disks are most important observational parameters that must be determined prior to a theoretical understanding of how the X-rays are generated. Research is also under way on the structure of X-ray emitting stellar coronae.


Galactic research at MSSL
Cataclysmic variables, X-ray binaries and pulsating stars


Extragalactic Astrophysical Research

In the field of extragalactic studies, the X-ray spectra and variability of active galactic nuclei e.g. Quasars, BL Lacertae objects, are being systematically studied. The central power houses for such objects are believed to be massive black holes whose radiation mechanisms at X-ray wavelengths may provide an evolutionary link between quasars and normal galaxies. A particular thrust at present is the study of X-ray source populations in the early Universe. Deep X-ray surveys have been carried out using ROSAT, and the optical counterparts of the X-ray sources are being identified using sensitive ground-based imaging and spectroscopy. The resulting surveys are being used to investigate the nature of X-ray source populations in the early Universe, study how quasars and clusters of galaxies have evolved over time, and probe the physics of energy generation in quasars.

Using observations in the millimetre/submillimetre waveband, we focus on studies of the flux and polarization variability of BL Lac objects and quasars, dust and gas in both radio galaxies and normal galaxies in the local universe, and deep surveys aimed at detecting dusty protogalaxies at high redshifts.


Extragalactic research at MSSL
Quasars, Seyfert galaxies, narrow emission line galaxies and the cosmic X-ray background


Please contact phd@mssl.ucl.ac.uk for more details. Other pages of interest for prospective postgraduate students at MSSL:

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Last modified 21st November 1997
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