Teaching History

In the project we will combine the power of two major space telescopes - XMM-Newton observing in X-rays, and Euclid observing in optical and near infra-red - to study clusters of galaxies. The FornaX project is conducting one of the deepest ever X-ray surveys, using XMM-Newton to observe a 10 square degree Euclid deep survey field. Euclid will detect clusters of galaxies (gravitationally bound collections of 100s to 1,000s of galaxies) and determine their masses via their gravitational lensing signal. Meanwhile XMM-Newton will observe the X-ray emitting gas that fills the clusters. We will focus on analysing the X-ray data to measure the properties of this gas, in order to validate this remarkable new galaxy cluster sample, and probe the astrophysical effects (such as feedback from active galactic nuclei) that influence the properties of the gas.

Funding: Awarded RAS Undergraduate Summer Research Bursary 2025
Description: This project investigates the significant excess of galaxy clusters detected at L_X ≈ 2 × 10⁴³ erg s^-1 in the X-ray Luminosity Function (XLF) determined using the Wide Angle ROSAT Pointed Survey (WARPS; Koens et al. 2013) and the 160 Square Degree (160SD; Mullis et al. 2004) cluster catalogues. We took advantage of the recent cluster catalogue from the first eROSITA All Sky Survey (eRASS1; Bulbul et al. 2024) to try and determine whether the observed excess is due to the methodology used in those surveys, cosmic variance, or underlying astrophysical processes causing an excess of clusters in this regime. We construct and fit the eRASS:1 XLF, and conclude that the excess does not persist. Further analysis is required to understand the origin of the excess in K13, along with an improved understanding of the selection function to better analyse the eRASS:1 catalogue.

This project measured galaxy cluster velocity dispersion masses to consistently investigate the difference in the observed scatter in the luminosity-mass relation between X-ray and optically selected galaxy clusters measured by Andreon et al. (2016).

This project measured galaxy cluster velocity dispersions to explore discrepancies between caustic and hydrostatic mass estimates found in Logan et al. (2022). Mass estimates derived from velocity dispersions align with caustic mass estimates, however, the difference to hydrostatic mass estimates is reduced when converting Chandra’s temperature measurements to align with XMM-Newton temperature measurements using the relationship found in Schellenberger et al. (2015).

The aim of this project is to investigate the properties of clusters detected by Balzer et al. (2025) which were previously hidden in eRASS1 survey data, and explore ways of identifying them more reliably. This will include looking at the X-ray properties of the sources with and without active galaxies associated, and cross-matching the survey catalogues with catalogues taken from other X-ray observatories and at other wavelengths. .

Teach the Galaxy Cluster Plasma component of the 4th year Physics "Forming Planets to Feeding Black Holes" (formerly "The Physics of Gas and Plasma) course. Contribute to writing course material, lecture slides, and exam questions.

Guest lecture on X-ray Astronomy with eROSITA, with a particular focus on Galaxy Clusters. Link to slides​

Demonstrated 2nd year undergraduate Physics Lab course, covering a range of experiments including:

Demonstrated 1st year astrophysics practical sessions, covering a range of practicals including:

During over 200 hours of solo teaching students aged 11-18, I developed engaging lesson plans, assessments, and medium-term plans that enhanced student learning. I received positive feedback for my teaching strategies and developed skills in adapting lessons to meet diverse student needs, providing personalised feedback, and managing the classroom effectively. I enjoyed strong relationships with students and colleagues throughout.

Description: I organised several hands-on activities such as viewing sunspots with a solar telescope, exploring the orbits of the planets in the solar system using astrophysical images and data, and practising using Python for data analysis and following good coding practices by using git to save and track work.

Gave a short talk as part of a Bristol Aerospace Museum Written in the stars (Virtual) Workshop for schools. The talk introduced Galaxy Clusters, and how observations of the Bullet Cluster are important to our understanding of Dark Matter. Video link

Gave an hour long talk to year 11 physics summer school students at the University of Bristol. The talk introduced Galaxy Clusters, and how observations of the Bullet Cluster are important to our understanding of Dark Matter.