Marriages Made in Heaven: the Origin of Multiple Star Systems

Outline

This project will use numerical simulations to explore the formation dynamics, stability and orbital parameters (mass ratios, separations and eccentricities) of multiple systems, starting from initial conditions that are informed by the latest high-resolution observations; we will be particularly concerned with multiple systems forming in cores that have condensed out of filaments. The majority of stars that do not end up in multiple systems have low-mass and the project will also explore how these objects form and why they tend to end up single. One possibility is that they form in circumstellar discs, but then fail to acquire enough mass and are ejected from the disc by interaction with more massive siblings. An alternative possibility is that they form in the filaments that funnel matter into forming star clusters. A third possibility is that they form in isolation, from exceptionally dense low-mass cores. We will determine which of these scenarios is most viable and why.

What is funded

Tuition fee support: Full UK/EU tuition fees

Maintenance stipend: Doctoral stipend matching UK Research Council National Minimum

Duration

3 years

Eligibility

You should have obtained, or be about to obtain a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree in Physics , or a related subject, Alternatively, applicants with equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK will also be considered. Applicants with a Lower Second Class degree will be considered if they also have a Master’s degree.

Applicants whose first language is not English are normally expected to meet the minimum University requirements (e.g. 6.5 IELTS)