Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics and Nonlinear Dynamics
Pavilion F and Orion at night
About the Group
The group carries out research into a wide range of topics involving astrophysical fluid dynamics and non-linear patterns. Specific astrophysical interests include stellar magnetohydrodynamics (particularly dynamo theory, magnetoconvection and the physics of sunspots), accretion discs, protoplanetary systems, extrasolar planetary systems and galaxy clusters. Many of these areas of research are related to topics in non-linear dynamics, particularly pattern formation and bifurcation theory. More information about the group's research projects is available here.
The group's recent publication list and the most cited scientific publications written by group members are updated regularly and give an overview of our research activities.
News
- Changes
- Our group bids a warm welcome to its newest members, Dr. Benjamin Favier and Dr Meng Xiang-Gruess.
- Three new studies on Saturn's rings
- Members of the Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics Group have announced the results of three studies concerning the formation and evolution of small moons in Saturn's rings.
1. The recent formation of Saturn's moonlets from viscous spreading of the main rings - Sebastien Charnoz, Julien Salmon and Aurelien Crida
2. Stochastic orbital migration of small bodies in Saturn's rings - Hanno Rein and John Papaloizou
3. Migration of a moonlet in a ring of solid particles: Theory and application to Saturn's propellers - Aurelien Crida, John Papaloizou, Hanno Rein, Sebastien Charnoz and Julien Salmon
- Accademic Couples
- An article in The Guardian describes the live of academic couples including our group member Zoe Leinhardt. (March 2010)
- A New Theory on Why the Sun Never Swallowed the Earth
- See this TIME Magazine article and this slashdot post about some recent work by Sijme-Jan Paardekooper and Mordecai-Mark Mac Low. (January 2010)
- PhD Applications
- A page with information on how to apply for a PhD has been updated. (November 2010)
- Most Cited Publications
- A new list has been added to the website showing the most cited scientific publications written by group members. (April 2009)
PhD Applications
We welcome applications for PhD studentships. The group, together with the Atomic Astrophysics Group, has allocated funding from STFC for astrophysics research students that is available from October 2010. Studentships are normally allocated around Easter. However, depending on circumstances, some may be advertised at other times. To find out if you are eligible and for further information regarding the application procedure and funding please check out http://damtp.cam.ac.uk/research/astro/about/phd.html!
Some possible projects in astrophysics and potential supervisors are listed on our research pages. Potential supervisors may also be contacted individually. Information relating to research projects undertaken by current PhD students can be found on the group members page where there are also links to personal websites where available.
The above links provide coverage of research activities within the group but please do not hesitate to contact via email Virginia Mullins (Group Secretary) at or one of the staff members listed if you have any other queries or require further information regarding research opportunities within the group.
Recent Scientific Publications
This list was last updated on May 16, 2012. A longer version is also available.
- On the interaction between tides and convection
- by Ogilvie, Gordon I.; Lesur, Geoffroy; Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (5/2012)
- Jet launching from accretion discs in the local approximation
- by Ogilvie, Gordon I.; Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (4/2012)
- The gravitational instability of a stream of co-orbital particles
- by Latter, Henrik N.; Rein, Hanno; Ogilvie, Gordon I.; Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (4/2012)
- Magnetic buoyancy instabilities in the presence of magnetic flux pumping at the base of the solar convection zone
- by Barker, Adrian J.; Silvers, Lara J.; Proctor, Michael R. E.; Weiss, Nigel O.; arXiv preprint (4/2012)
- Fluctuating alphaOmega dynamos by iterated matrices
- by Richardson, K. J.; Proctor, M. R. E.; Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters (5/2012)
- Numerical convergence in self-gravitating shearing sheet simulations and the stochastic nature of disc fragmentation
- by Paardekooper, Sijme-Jan; Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (4/2012)
- Numerical Simulations of Disc-Planet Interactions
- by Nelson, Richard P.; Paardekooper, Sijme-Jan; Advanced Science Letters (2/2011)
- Nucleon structure from 2+1 -flavor dynamical DWF lattice QCD at nearly physical pion mass
- by Lin, Meifeng; Ohta, Shigemi; Progress in Particle and Nuclear Physics (4/2012)
- Dynamical instabilities in disc-planet interactions
- by Lin, Min-Kai; arXiv preprint (3/2012)
- Outward migration of a super-Earth in a disc with outward propagating density waves excited by a giant planet
- by Podlewska-Gaca, E.; Papaloizou, J. C. B.; Szuszkiewicz, E.; Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (4/2012)
- Rossby wave instability in locally isothermal and polytropic disks: three-dimensional linear calculations
- by Lin, Min-Kai; arXiv preprint (3/2012)