Astrophysics Research Institute

Astrophysics Research Institute
Liverpool Science Park, the institute's current location
TypeAstronomy and Astrophysics
Established1992; 32 years ago (1992)
DirectorPhil James
Location
Liverpool
,
England
Coloursuniversity colours

  Navy blue
  Lime green
faculty colours
(Faculty of Engineering and Technology)

 
AffiliationsLiverpool John Moores University
Liverpool Telescope (LT)
Websitewww.astro.ljmu.ac.uk

The Astrophysics Research Institute (ARI) is an astronomy and astrophysics research institute in Merseyside, UK. Formed in 1992, it stood on the Twelve Quays site in Birkenhead from 1998 until June 2013 when it relocated to the Liverpool Science Park in Liverpool.[1][2] It is in the top 1% of institutions in the field of space science as measured by total citations.[3]

Currently there are over 90 staff members and research students working at the institute,[4] which lies within the administration of the Liverpool John Moores University's Faculty of Engineering and Technology.[5]

Research

The research conducted at the Institute covers many areas of astronomy and astrophysics, such as supernovae, star formation and galaxy clusters. This work is funded by external organisations, such as the Science and Technology Facilities Council,[6] and the Higher Education Funding Council for England.[7] The institute also maintains the Liverpool Telescope which is located on the island of La Palma in the Canary Islands.[8]

Education

The institute currently offers two undergraduate courses: a 3-year BSc (Hons) in Physics and Astronomy, as well as a 4-year MPhys (Hons) in Astrophysics. Both the undergraduate courses are taught as a joint degree by the Astrophysics Research Institute of Liverpool John Moores University and the Department of Physics at the University of Liverpool. The courses are accredited by the Institute of Physics.

Postgraduate courses are made available at PhD and Master's level, with two MSc courses taught via distance learning.[9]

Unaccredited short courses are also made available to those who do not have a scientific or mathematical background. The Astronomy by Distance Learning courses are taught by CD-ROM, DVD and website material without the need for classroom sessions. Each of the courses provides an introduction to astronomy as well as to specialist areas such as supernovae.[10]

Awards

In 2006, the institute received the "Queen's Anniversary Prize" for higher education in recognition for its development of the robotic telescope.[11] In 2007, the "Times Higher Education Supplement Award" for 'project of the year' was given for the use of the RINGO optical polarimeter at the Liverpool Telescope in measuring gamma-ray bursts. RINGO has since been decommissioned and an updated polarimeter named MOPTOP has since entered operation.[12]

Director

Term Director
1992–2005 Prof. Mike Bode
2005–2008 Prof. Chris Collins (interim)
2008–2014 Prof. Mike Bode
2014–2019 Prof. Chris Collins
2019–2020 Prof. Phil James
2020–2021 Prof. Ian McCarthy (interim)
2021–2022 Prof. Phil James
2022-present Prof. Ian McCarthy

References

  1. ^ "Astrophysics Research Institute Joins Liverpool Science Park". United Kingdom Science Park Association. Archived from the original on 7 July 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  2. ^ "Astrophysics is moving". 31 May 2013. Archived from the original on 5 July 2013. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
  3. ^ "An interview with: Liverpool John Moores University, Astrophysics Research Institute". March 2007. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
  4. ^ "Staff at the Astrophysics Research Institute". Archived from the original on 28 April 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  5. ^ "LJMU Faculty of Engineering and Technology". Archived from the original on 1 July 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  6. ^ "STFC Grants on the Web: Institution analysis". Stfc.ac.uk. 15 October 2012. Archived from the original on 19 March 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
  7. ^ "Astrophysics Research Institute – Liverpool John Moores University". Astro.ljmu.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 4 January 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
  8. ^ "Liverpool Telescope". Archived from the original on 4 February 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  9. ^ "Astrophysics MSc". Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  10. ^ "Courses". Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  11. ^ "UK | England | Merseyside | Royal recognition for university". BBC News. 15 February 2006. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
  12. ^ "The Liverpool Telescope: News : Archive : s20071205". Telescope.livjm.ac.uk. 5 December 2007. Archived from the original on 29 October 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2012.