Astrophysics Research Institute

{{Short description|Research institute in Merseyside, England}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}} {{Use British English|date=June 2015}} {{Infobox university |name = Astrophysics Research Institute |image_name = Liverpool Science Park, Innovation Centre 2.JPG |caption = Liverpool Science Park, the institute's current location |image_size = 270px |established = {{start date and age|1992}} |type = [[Astronomy]] and [[Astrophysics]] |director = Ian McCarthy |city = [[Liverpool]] |campus = |colours = '''university colours''' {{color box|#000066}} Navy blue {{color box|#BBDD33}} Lime green '''faculty colours''' ''(Faculty of Engineering and Technology)'' {{color box|#66CCFF}} |country = [[England]] |affiliations = [[Liverpool John Moores University]] [[Liverpool Telescope|Liverpool Telescope (LT)]] |website = [https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/research/centres-and-institutes/astrophysics-research-institute Astrophysics Research Institute] }}

The '''Astrophysics Research Institute''' ('''ARI''') is an [[astronomy]] and [[astrophysics]] research institute in [[Merseyside]], UK. Formed in 1992, it stood on the [[Twelve Quays]] site in [[Birkenhead]] from 1998 until June 2013 when it relocated to the Liverpool Science Park in [[Liverpool]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukspa.org.uk/news/member_news/content/3853/astrophysics_research_institute_joins_liverpool_science_park |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130707081939/http://www.ukspa.org.uk/news/member_news/content/3853/astrophysics_research_institute_joins_liverpool_science_park |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 July 2013 |title=Astrophysics Research Institute Joins Liverpool Science Park |accessdate=4 June 2013 |publisher=United Kingdom Science Park Association }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/NewsUpdate/viewarticle/803/All |title= Astrophysics is moving |accessdate= 7 June 2013 |date= 31 May 2013 |archive-date= 5 July 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130705145808/http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/NewsUpdate/viewarticle/803/All |url-status= live }}</ref> {{As of|2007|March|alt=It is}} in the top 1% of institutions in the field of [[space science]] as measured by total [[citation]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.in-cites.com/institutions/LivplJhnMoresU-AstrphyResIns.html |title= An interview with: Liverpool John Moores University, Astrophysics Research Institute |date= March 2007 |accessdate= 7 June 2013 |archive-date= 24 September 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150924034104/http://www.in-cites.com/institutions/LivplJhnMoresU-AstrphyResIns.html |url-status= live }}</ref>

{{As of|2018|April|alt=Currently}} there are over 90 staff members and research students working at the institute,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.astro.ljmu.ac.uk/people |title= Staff at the Astrophysics Research Institute |accessdate= 27 April 2018 |archive-date= 28 April 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180428011642/http://www.astro.ljmu.ac.uk/people |url-status= live }}</ref> which lies within the administration of the [[Liverpool John Moores University]]'s Faculty of Engineering and Technology.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/faculties/faculty-of-engineering-and-technology |title= LJMU Faculty of Engineering and Technology |accessdate= 27 April 2018 |archive-date= 1 July 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170701021626/https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/faculties/faculty-of-engineering-and-technology |url-status= live }}</ref>

==Research== The research conducted at the Institute covers many areas of astronomy and astrophysics, such as [[supernovae]], [[star formation]] and [[galaxy clusters]]. This work is funded by external organisations, such as the [[Science and Technology Facilities Council]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stfc.ac.uk/gow/Sm/grls.asp?cx=01&sc=0&so=oa&in=166&nv=0102&dp=15843 |title=STFC Grants on the Web: Institution analysis |publisher=Stfc.ac.uk |date=15 October 2012 |accessdate=20 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319220439/http://www.stfc.ac.uk/GOW/Sm/grls.asp?cx=01&sc=0&so=oa&in=166&nv=0102&dp=15843 |archivedate=19 March 2012 }}</ref> and the [[Higher Education Funding Council for England]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.astro.ljmu.ac.uk/aboutari |title=Astrophysics Research Institute – Liverpool John Moores University |publisher=Astro.ljmu.ac.uk |accessdate=20 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104103940/http://www.astro.ljmu.ac.uk/aboutari |archive-date=4 January 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The institute also maintains the [[Liverpool Telescope]] which is located on the island of [[La Palma]] in the [[Canary Islands]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://telescope.livjm.ac.uk/ | title = Liverpool Telescope | accessdate = 3 March 2012 | archive-date = 4 February 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120204074456/http://telescope.livjm.ac.uk/ | url-status = live }}</ref>

==Education== The institute {{As of|2016|September|alt=currently}} offers two undergraduate courses: a 3-year [[Bachelor of Science|BSc (Hons)]] in Physics and Astronomy, as well as a 4-year [[Master of Physics|MPhys (Hons)]] in Astrophysics. Both the undergraduate courses are taught as a [[Double degree|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 accredited by the [[Institute of Physics]].

Postgraduate courses are made available at [[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]] and [[Master of Science|Master's]] level, with two MSc courses taught via [[distance learning]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.astronomy.ac.uk/msc | title = Astrophysics MSc | accessdate = 23 September 2016 | archive-date = 24 September 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160924091342/http://www.astronomy.ac.uk/msc | url-status = live }}</ref>

Unaccredited short courses are also made available to those who do not have a scientific 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 to astronomy as well as to specialist areas such as supernovae.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.astronomy.ac.uk/info/index | title = Courses | accessdate = 23 September 2016 | archive-date = 24 September 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160924022509/http://www.astronomy.ac.uk/info/index | url-status = live }}</ref>

==Awards== In 2006, the institute received the "''[[Queen's Anniversary Prize]]''" for higher education in recognition for its development of the robotic telescope.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/merseyside/4717744.stm |title=UK | England | Merseyside | Royal recognition for university |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=15 February 2006 |access-date=20 October 2012}}</ref> In 2007, the "''[[Times Higher Education|Times Higher Education Supplement Award]]''" for 'project of the year' was given for the use of the RINGO [[Polarimeter|optical polarimeter]] at the Liverpool Telescope in measuring [[gamma-ray bursts]]. RINGO has since been decommissioned and an updated polarimeter named MOPTOP has since entered operation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://telescope.livjm.ac.uk/News/Archive/index.php?sf=s20071205 |title=The Liverpool Telescope: News : Archive : s20071205 |publisher=Telescope.livjm.ac.uk |date=5 December 2007 |accessdate=20 October 2012 |archive-date=29 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029164146/http://telescope.livjm.ac.uk/News/Archive/index.php?sf=s20071205 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Director== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:30%" !Term !Director |- |1992–2005 |Prof. Mike Bode |- |2005–2008 |Prof. Chris Collins (interim) |- |2008–2014 |Prof. Mike Bode |- |2014–2019 |Prof. Chris Collins |- |2019–2020 |Prof. Phil James |- |2020–2021 |Prof. Ian McCarthy (interim) |- |2021–2022 |Prof. Phil James |- |2022-present |Prof. Ian McCarthy |}

==External links== * {{Official website}} * [https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/ Liverpool John Moores University]

==References== {{reflist}}

[[Category:British astronomy organisations]] [[Category:Liverpool John Moores University|*]] [[Category:Astrophysics research institutes]] [[Category:Education in Liverpool|*]] [[Category:Research institutes established in 1992]] [[Category:Research institutes in Merseyside]] [[Category:Science and Technology Facilities Council]] [[Category:1992 establishments in the United Kingdom]]