Central massive objects like supermassive black holes and stellar nuclear clusters are common in all type of galaxies. I use N-body simulations to study the formation and evolution of nuclear clusters and to investigate the influence of the dynamical evolution of disc galaxies o…
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The physics and turbulent properties responsible for shaping the structure in molecular clouds are analysed. Data from the Two-Micron All-Sky Survey are used to determine all-sky median near-infrared extinction maps. Two types of map are made: maps with a near-constant noise in …
Impulse over-voltage is a common phenomenon in electric power systems. A switching impulse is created by a switching surge or local fault while a lightning impulse is due to direct lightning strike to high voltage plant such as an overhead line. Both impulse events create travel…
In this thesis I describe a statistically robust multi-wavelength study on 21 X-ray luminous cluster cores at 0.15<z<0.3, spanning X-ray to near Infra-Red (NIR) wavelengths, and using weak lens analysis of SNAPSHOT data from the Hubble Space Telescope Advanced Camera for Surveys…
In recent years various authors have developed a new numerical approach to cosmological simulations that formulates the equations describing large scale structure (LSS) formation within a quantum mechanical framework. This method couples the Schrodinger and Poisson equations. Pr…
Current observational evidence does not yet exclude the possibility that dark energy could be in the form of phantom energy. A universe consisting of a phantom constituent will be driven toward a drastic end known as the `Big Rip' singularity where all the matter in the universe…
The Silicon Photomultiplier (SIPM) is a novel photon sensing device, with potential applications in particle physics, astronomy and general gamma-ray spectroscopy. Various SiPM designs were evaluated for these roles by coupling them to a range of scintillators, including LSO, Na…
This thesis presents analyses of flickering aurora observed using the state-of-theart Auroral Structure and Kinetics (ASK) multi-monochromatic ground-based auroral imager. Flickering aurora is observed as rapid (typically 2–20 Hz) oscillations in auroral luminosity. There are se…
This thesis describes a search for transient phenomena using data from the Wide Angle Search for Planets (WASP) observatories. With images taken of the same region of sky every 15 minutes and a field-of-view of 974 degrees squared, the WASP survey is ideal for identifying both s…
The main focus of the thesis is the study of low-degree low-frequency solar p modes from the analysis of high-resolution power spectra generated from 20 years of high-quality data collected by the Birmingham Solar Oscillations Network (BiSON) Resonant Scattering Spectrometers (R…
The subject of this thesis is the simulation of X-ray cluster surveys and related issues, with a focus on the research that can be conducted with the International X-ray Observatory (IXO), or a similar next-generation X-ray observatory. A general purpose X-ray image simulator ha…
This thesis discusses the development of optical read-out techniques, including a simple shadow sensor and a more elaborate compact homodyne interferometer, known as EUCLID. Both of these sensors could be utilised as part of a seismic isolation and suspension system of a ground-…
Across cosmic time, stars have contributed most of the radiant energy found in the Universe and have created nearly all the chemical elements heavier than helium. Understanding the evolution of the Universe requires understanding the history of star formation. Stars form in gala…
Interaction of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves with various structures in a magnetised plasma was considered theoretically in the context of the interpretation of recently observed phenomena in the corona of the Sun. The main emphasis was put on the development of analytical mod…
In this thesis I use the UKIDSS Ultra-Deep Survey to investigate the evolution in clustering of the galaxy population across the redshift range 0<z<3. Selected in the K-band, the sample does not suffer as greatly from biases against passive and dusty objects that plague opticall…
Impulsive solar electron beams have an attractive diagnostic potential for poorly understood particle acceleration processes in solar flares. Solar flare accelerated electron beams propagating away from the Sun can interact with the turbulent interplanetary media, producing Lang…
Gravitational waves are an important prediction of Einstein's General theory of Relativity. Derived as a solution to the Einstein field equations, they are predicted to be produced in systems where there is an asymmetric acceleration of matter, and exist as a time varying quadru…
Cataclysmic variables are close binary systems where mass is accreted onto a white dwarf through an accretion disc. Approximately half the gravitational energy in the disc is released in a boundary layer as X-rays. X-rays originate from matter under the extreme and energetic con…
Within this thesis are discussed two main topics of contemporary astrophysics. The first is that of machine learning algorithms for astronomy whilst the second is that of magnetic cataclysmic variables (mCVs). To begin, an overview is given of ISINA: INTEGRAL Scouce Identifictio…