Octave
The research programme of our research group (The High-Resolution Optical Spectroscopy Group) spans the fields of helioseismology and asteroseismology, the study of the interior of the Sun and stars by observation of the natural modes of oscillation of the stars. We call this research programme "Octave".Octave has a prominent role in the Kepler Asteroseismic Science Consortium; the group is also active in analysis of data from other satellites (including SMEI, STEREO and CoRoT), and from ground-based telescope campaigns.
Octave runs the Sun-as-a-Star/Birmingham Solar-Oscillations Network (SaS/BiSON). This world-wide network of ground-based telescopes provides round-the-clock monitoring of the core-penetrating global modes of oscillation of the Sun. SaS/BiSON is funded by the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).
Octave is also part of the Stellar Observations Network Group (SONG) consortium. SONG will be the first ground-based network dedicated to asteroseismology. It will also detect exoplanets by micro-lensing. HiROS is leading aspects of hardware automation of the SONG prototype.
STFC Advanced Summer School in Solar Terrestrial Physics
The Sun is a Rosetta stone for astrophysics. Its close proximity affords a unique opportunity to study a star to levels of detail and precision not possible for other stars. The Sun is also an "astrophysical laboratory", allowing us to test fundamental physics under the exotic conditions found in the solar atmosphere and solar interior. The influences that the Sun has on the terrestrial environment, and the various links from the solar interior to the Earth, are part of a major theme in the STFC Road Map. For more see [here]