Projects / Programmes
Astrophysics and Physics of the Atmosphere
January 1, 2015
- December 31, 2021
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.02.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Physics |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| P520 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Astronomy, space research, cosmic chemistry |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 1.03 |
Natural Sciences |
Physical sciences |
Astrophysics, meteorology, climatology, stars, interstellar and intracluster medium, transient sky sources, gamma ray bursts, galaxy clusters, atmospheric large-scale dynamics, climate dynamics, data assimilation, numerical weather prediction, predictability, precipitation, air quality.
Researchers (35)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
Program joins 4 main topics: (i) galactic archaeology and structure, including properties of stars and interstellar medium, (ii) transient sources in the Galaxy and beyond, (iii) galaxy environments, including clusters of galaxies, (iv) meteorological research. Item (i) includes participation and leadership involvement in the largest ongoing international spectroscopic surveys of the Galaxy (Gaia satellite, RAVE, Hermes/Galah, Gaia-ESO surveys) in order to clarify its structure and origin as a typical galaxy in the Universe, and with a specific focus on active stars and on properties of interstellar medium. Also (ii) will use Gaia and NASA's Swift satellite data coupled with world-class robotic and conventional telescopes to follow-up transient sources and establish their astrophysical nature and properties. In the core program we will focus mostly on gamma ray bursts (GRB). The emphasis will be on extremely energetic events produced in the strong gravitational field of black holes, therefore connecting various areas from high-energy physics and general relativity to stellar evolution and stellar dynamics in central parts of galaxies. In part (iii) we will focus on numerical modelling of galaxy environments of GRBs and on characterization of galaxy clusters' properties using modern cosmological simulations. Clusters of galaxies are the largest structures in dynamical equilibrium nowadays and are important as tools to determine cosmological parameters. They are also fundamental for interpreting the results of surveys with satellites as Euclid and Athena+. Their evolution and assembly leaves imprints on the thermal content of the hot ionised gas, the IntraCluster Medium (ICM), where most of cluster baryons reside. Meteorological research (iv) aims to extend the ongoing projects within the area of large/scale dynamics, data assimilation for numerical weather prediction (NWP), predictability research, precipitation analysis and verification, and integrated modelling of atmospheric processes with an integrated high resolution meteorological-chemical-transport model aimed at a better air-quality forecast. At the same time we provide the only research support to the development of operational NWP activities at the Slovenian environment agency (ARSO). New results on large-scale dynamics, data assimilation for NWP, global energetics, predictability, and ensemble forecasting are expected.A special emphasis will be devoted to methods used for verification of precipitation. A coupled climate, chemical transport, and meteorology modelling systems will be used at high spatial resolution.
This is the only research group in the country dealing with the listed topics and the expected expansion of the group activity would allow its involvement in international projects and continued worldwide visibility via ongoing publication in top scientific journals. The results will directly foster university teaching and our extended science outreach and public service activities.
Significance for science
The group published 144 scientific papers in the last 6 years, including 3 papers (and another forthcoming one) in Nature and Science. Members of the past program have 13,251 citations in the last 10 years according to the WoS database. N.Ž. obtained the first Slovenian project of the European Research Council. We are also in a leading role in international collaborations. These data, considering that the group had a very modest total state financing of 2,1 FTE so far, demonstrate that we are doing a top quality research. Result of immediate relevance for this project will be a number of scientific articles published in top-ranking scientific journals, invited talks at international conferences and new PhDs who will benefit from exquisite datasets and software we are having access to. Below we outline main expected research achievements.
(i) GALACTIC ARCHAEOLOGY AND STRUCTURE, INCLUDING PROPERTIES OF STARS AND INTERSTELLAR MEDIUM
We will participate in galactic archaeology and cosmo-chemistry studies, but we will concentrate on developing new techniques and strategies to detect and correct for reddening, and to recognize peculiar and active stars, as well as the spectra with observational problems. Biased results of the chemical analysis and stellar parameter determination pipeline for these objects should therefore be avoided. We will derive 3D maps of the interstellar medium, catalogues, statistics and a tailored treatment/analysis of recognized peculiar stars. The goal is to study ISM towards every star and build self-consistent 3D maps of the ISM. These maps will improve photometric distances and will allow photometric colours and energy distributions to be used as (moderate weight) priors in spectroscopic derivation of stellar parameter values. All this sums up in a number of large scale population studies which are expected to better explain details of stellar evolution. Short lived phases will benefit most from the three (RAVE, Gaia-ESO, Hermes/GALAH) unbiased datasets we have priority access to.
ii) TRANSIENT SOURCES IN THE GALAXY AND BEYOND
GRBs are one of the hotest topics in Astrophysics today, and we are well part of this, demonstrated by our recent publications in Nature & Science. It is important to understand GRBs in view of the stellar evolution, which can lead to such catastrophic events, study of galactic environment (dust and gas properties in galaxies) and also the study of early galaxies and early Universe. Namely, GRBs can be, due to their extreme brightness (similar as quasars), used as unique cosmological probes, which illuminate otherwise dim distant galaxies. Possible or even probable discovery of orphan afterglows is expected to be of critical importance to verification of theoretical model for GRBs. For physics in general, GRBs are important for the study of relativistic shock waves, as a source of cosmic rays, neutrinos, photons with TeV energy and for the potential detection of gravitational waves, which are thought to be produced during the stellar collapse and merger to a black hole.
iii) GALAXY ENVIRONMENTS, INCLUDING CLUSTERS OF GALAXIES
We will be able to characterize with great detail how physical effects as supernovae, galactic winds and AGN feedback are influencing the observed cluster baryon properties and how they are shaping cluster accretion history. Our goal will be also to quantify the degree of substructure in galaxy clusters to understand cluster dynamics and predict the impact of baryon physics on the intrinsic scatter in observed scaling relation both in X-rays and microwave wavelengths. Results obtained with detailed high resolution simulations and using large statistical sets of galaxy clusters will be placing theoretical constraints on physical processes that are affecting cluster mass calibration. Moreover, improving the characterization of the ICM properties in clusters, especially at higher redshift, will be extremely important for upcoming observational surve
Significance for the country
This the only research program in the areas of weather forecasting, climatology, astrophysics and cosmology in Slovenia. We are proud to point out that the team is composed of 10 PhDs, 5 of each gender. Also, women are leading 3 out of 4 workpackages. The program has an extraordinary importance for the society:
Economy sectors
Improvements in weather forecasting and predictability quantification link naturally with important economic questions in the insurance, energetics and agricultural sectors. An example is a collaboration with the Insurance company Maribor which we worked with through the Center of excellence Space.si. Another example are our expert opinions related to larger investments in energetics (wind turbines at Volovja reber, pollution risks at Lafarge and at Krško plants).
Existing and new companies
Several companies show much interest to employ our students. An example is astrophysical research, which should frequently find the simplest explanations of phenomena which were discovered only recently, using creative thought in the process. Notably, GRBs, extrasolar planets, dark energy or Galactic archaeology are terms which did not or barely existed two decades ago. Individual companies interested in our students are SMEs, like Cosylab and Sinergise. Sometimes students decide to establish their own company, a recent example is meteorologist dr. Vanja Blažica who finnished her PhD with us last year.
Public sector
We are providing the only research support to daily weather forecasting at the Slovenian Environment Agency (ARSO). It benefits from our active involvement in applied projects in the area of daily weather and air quality prediction. Dr. Vanja Blažica, who recently finnished her PhD with us, won an award of the European geophysical union for her work on the operative prognostic model ALADIN-Slovenia (http://www.egu.eu/awards-medals/union-osp-award/2013/vanja-blazica/). ARSO is also an important employer of our students.
Development of professional procedures
By developing research codes which are applicable also to routine weather prediction we help in developing professional procedures at ARSO. An example is a daily weather forecast at a higher spatial resolution and a detailed forecast of air quality – see results at our website meteo.fmf.uni-lj.si.
Public infrastructure and preservation of natural heritage
Our online integrated atmospheric models contribute to better forecasting of severe weather events and their consequences (fires, floods), to identify cost-effective measures towards transport management and energy production, contribute to the reduction of detrimental combined health effects and enhance quality of life especially in urban areas. This applies to protection of natural heritage in case of severe weather events.
International collaborations and promotion of the country
Our involvement in several important international research projects, often in a leading role, is discussed elsewhere. This assures that the society can have direct benefits from the knowledge and experience we gain and share. Our equal-footing level with international partners promotes Slovenia as a highly developed country with a well educated workforce on a par with the world.
Promotion of national identity and science outreach
Understanding research achievements can be a source of national pride, fostering national identity. It also contributes to the increased interest of young people to study natural sciences.
The group is very active in science outreach and in communicating scientific results to the general public. We do:
(1) our own daily weather forecast calculated with increased spatial resolution and a detailed forecast of air quality, see meteo.fmf.uni-lj.si),
(2) daily astronomical news digest (www.portalvvesolje.si) and translation of astronomy picture of the day (apod.fmf.uni-lj.si),
(3) monthly public lectures for the general public within a lecture series entitled "A journey through the Universe (www
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2015,
interim report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2015,
interim report
