Atmospheric properties of A, F and G stars (Dr Barry Smalley)

Stellar physics is now entering a new, high-precision era with many ESO, ESA and other international projects. The data obtained with two successful satellites, CoRoT and Kepler, and from ground-based project such as SuperWASP, allow the analysis of pulsations of thousands of stars, in synergy with exoplanet research. Asteroseismology can now provide the accurate measurements of masses, radii and ages of stars that are required for the study of habitable exoplanets. Spectroscopy is one of the most powerful tools at an astronomer’s disposal, allowing the determination of the fundamental parameters of stars: surface temperature, gravity, chemical composition, magnetic field, rotation and turbulence. This project will study the properties of newly identified pulsating stars and the interaction between these pulsations and other physical processes occurring within the stellar atmosphere.