Paula Chadwick

Paula Chadwick FRAS FInstP
Born	Mary Paula Chadwick
Alma mater	Queen Mary University of London Durham University
Scientific career
Institutions	Durham University
Thesis	Very high energy cosmic gamma rays from radio and x-ray pulsars  (1987)
Website	www.durham.ac.uk/staff/p-m-chadwick/

Mary Paula Chadwick FRAS FInstP is a British physicist who is professor and head of the Department of Physics at Durham University. Her research investigates gamma-ray astronomy and astroparticle physics. She is involved with the Cherenkov Telescope Array. ^[1]

Early life and education

Chadwick became interested in astronomy as a child. She believes the Apollo 11 moon landing may have triggered her passion. ^[2] Chadwick was an undergraduate student at Queen Mary University of London. ^[2] She moved to Durham University for her doctoral research, where she studied high energy cosmic gamma rays from pulsars. ^[3]

Research and career

Chadwick leads gamma-ray astronomy at Durham University. ^{[4] [5]} She is particularly interested in supernova explosions and black holes which produce high-speed jets. ^[2] When gamma rays (the most energetic form of electromagnetic radiation) hit the atmosphere, they produce a cascade of high energy matter that travels faster than the speed of light in air. ^[2] This produces a brief flash of high energy light (Cherenkov radiation), which Chadwick tries to detect with large telescopes. ^{[2] [6] [7]}

In 2015, Chadwick was awarded the Lawrence Bragg Medal and Prize for her efforts to engage undergraduates with industry. ^[8]

Selected publications

• A Abramowski; F Acero; F Aharonian; et al. (22 January 2013). "Search for photon-linelike signatures from dark matter annihilations with H.E.S.S.". Physical Review Letters . 110 (4): 041301. arXiv: 1301.1173 . doi:10.1103/PHYSREVLETT.110.041301. ISSN   0031-9007. PMID   25166149. Wikidata   Q51274745.
• F. Aharonian; A. G. Akhperjanian; A. R. Bazer-Bachi; et al. (12 September 2006). "Observations of the Crab nebula with HESS". Astronomy & Astrophysics . 457 (3): 899–915. arXiv: astro-ph/0607333 . Bibcode:2006A&A...457..899A. doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20065351. ISSN   0004-6361. Wikidata   Q53161742.
• M. Actis; G. Agnetta; F. Aharonian; et al. (23 November 2011). "Design concepts for the Cherenkov Telescope Array CTA: an advanced facility for ground-based high-energy gamma-ray astronomy". Experimental Astronomy. 32 (3): 193–316. arXiv: 1008.3703 . Bibcode:2011ExA....32..193A. doi:10.1007/S10686-011-9247-0. ISSN   0922-6435. Wikidata   Q56933794.

References

1. www.durham.ac.uk/staff/p-m-chadwick/
2. 'Paula Chadwick - Gamma Rays' in Life Science Centre's Space Zone , retrieved 2022-11-23
3. Chadwick, Mary Paula (1987). Very high energy cosmic gamma rays from radio and x-ray pulsars. dur.ac.uk (PhD thesis). Durham University. OCLC   499864144. EThOS   uk.bl.ethos.378488.
4. "Fellow Detail Page". royalsociety.org. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
5. "Centre for Advanced Instrumentation : Group Members - Durham University". dur.ac.uk. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
6. Chadwick, Paula (2021). "35 Years of Ground-Based Gamma-ray Astronomy". Universe. 7 (11): 432. Bibcode:2021Univ....7..432C. doi: 10.3390/universe7110432 . ISSN   2218-1997.
7. Cowen, Ron (December 11, 2004). "Gamma view of a big blast". Science News; Washington. Vol. 166, no. 24. p. 282 – via ProQuest.
8. "Lawrence Bragg Medal and Prize recipients".