Astrophysics Research Institute

The Astrophysics Research Institute (ARI) is an astronomy and astrophysics research institute located in Merseyside, UK. It was formed in 1992, situated on the Twelve Quays site in Birkenhead from 1998-2013, overlooking the River Mersey and in June 2013 the institute relocated to the Liverpool Science Park in Liverpool.^[1][2] The institute is in the top 1% of institutions in the field of space science as measured by total citations.^[3]

There are currently over 60 staff members and research students working at the institute, which lies within the administration of the Liverpool John Moores University's Faculty of Science.^[4]

Research and Technology

Conducted research varies into many areas of astronomy and astrophysics, such as supernovae, star formation and galaxy clusters with publications of work in scientific journals. Research is funded by external organisations, such as the Science and Technology Facilities Council,^[5] and the Higher Education Funding Council for England.^[6] The institute research is conducted with the aid of the university Liverpool Telescope which is located on the island of La Palma in the Canary Islands.^[7]

Academic

The institute currently teaches two undergraduate courses: a three BSc. (Hons) in Physics and Astronomy, as well as a 4 year MPhys. (Hons) in Astrophysics. Postgraduate courses are also made available at Ph.D level. 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 also accredited by the Institute of Physics.

Courses are also made available to those who do not have a scienctific 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 into astronomy as well as specialist areas such as supernova, eventually leading to potential certification .

Awards

In 2006, the institute received the "Queen's Anniversary Prize" for higher education in recognition for its development of the robotic telescope.^[8] In 2007 the "Times Higher Education Supplement Award" for 'project of the year' was given for the use of RINGO optical polarimeter at the Liverpool Telescope in measuring gamma-ray bursts. RINGO has since been decommissioned and an updated polarimeter named RINGO2 is since in operation.^[9]

Director

The current Director of the Astrophysics Research Institute is Professor Mike Bode, who has served as a past Vice-President and Secretary of the Royal Astronomical Society. In August 2012 he was elected to be a Council Member of the European Astronomical Society. He is also currently Chair of the National Schools Observatory.^[10]

List of Directors

External links

• LJMU Astrophysics Research Institute - Official Website
• Liverpool John Moores University
• Institute of Physics

References

Liverpool John Moores University Leadership Chancellor Sir Brian Leveson Pro-Chancellor Sir Malcolm Thornton Vice-Chancellor Nigel P. Weatherill Campuses City Campus I M Marsh Campus Mount Pleasent Campus Schools Liverpool School of Art and Design School of Natural Sciences and Psychology Institutes Astrophysics Research Institute Built Environment and Sustainable Technologies Research Institute Buildings City Campus: Avril Robarts LRC College of Technology and Museum Extension James Parsons Building Tom Reilly Building Mount Pleasant Campus: Aldham Robarts LRC Art and Design Academy Liverpool College of Art Liverpool Students' Union Other: Halls of residence Liverpool Telescope People John Moores Henry Cotton Alumni Other Academic dress Category Commons