DPhil Project

The Oxford SWIFT integral field spectrograph is a new facility being commissioned at the Palomar 200-inch Hale Telescope in spring 2008. Combining the unique capabilities of a high performance laser guide star adaptive optics system (PALAO/PALM3K), and CCD array detectors with very high red sensitivity, SWIFT will be the first instrument to provide high spatial resolution spectroscopy at wavelengths below 1 micron. Oxford Astrophysics aims to carry out a number of key science programs over a five year period, ranging from demographics of super massive black holes in nearby galaxies to dynamical and kinematic studies of galaxies at the highest redshifts. SWIFT's unprecedented sensitivity in the wavelength range 800 to 1000 nm will provide a wealth of unique data, enabling science programs that cannot effectively be carried out with any other instrument.

We are offering an observational astrophysics D.Phil. Project that will form the core of one key SWIFT science program being carried out by the department. The project will involve several trips to Palomar to conduct observations with SWIFT and the Palomar laser guide star adaptive optics system. The unique data sets will also offer an opportunity to expand and develop data analysis tools. Further details of key science programs to be conducted with the Oxford SWIFT spectrograph can be obtained by contacting Niranjan Thatte (thatte _at_ astro.ox.ac.uk).