Dr Timothy Gledhill
BSc PhD
Job title: Reader in Astronomy
Email Address: T.Gledhill@herts.ac.uk
Memberships and Appointments: Member of the International Astronomical Union www.iau.org
I graduated from Leeds University with a BSc in Physics and Astrophysics before moving to Durham to study for my PhD. My thesis work concerned the polarisation of light from star-forming regions in our Galaxy. After a couple of post-doctoral positions at Durham I moved to Hertfordshire in 1994. I became a Reader in 2002 and maintain an active research role within the Centre for Astrophysics Research. I am currently the Research Tutor for Physics, Astronomy & Maths, and also retain a management role in the provision of IT facilities within the Centre for Astrophysics Research.
I have been actively involved in astronomical research since 1984, with publications on topics ranging from comets within our solar system, to star forming regions and proto-planetary discs in the Milky Way, to magnetic fields in other galaxies. A common theme in my research has been the use of polarised light to gain insights otherwise unavailable via conventional imaging or spectroscopy. This included the first images in polarised light of the planet forming disc around the star Beta Pictoris. More recently I have been involved in techniques for the detection of non-terrestrial biological material in the solar system.
Research Interests
astronomical dust, star formation and evolution, bio-signaturesCollaborations and Projects
The detection of non-terrestrial biological and pre-biological material in the Solar System with W.B. Sparks, Space Telescope Science Institute USA
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon features and emission mechanims in the Red Rectangle with Adolf Witt, University of Toledo USA
Dust formation in Supernovae with M. Barlow University College London
CORNISH 5Ghz VLA survey of Galactic high mass protostars with M. Hoare, Leeds University