Simon J. Murphy, USQ

Simon Murphy is an ARC Future Fellow in asteroseismology at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ). He uses stellar pulsation models to characterise stellar masses, ages and metallicities. His research focuses on pulsating A/F stars, particularly delta Scuti stars, and stellar chemical peculiarities such as the λ Bootis phenomenon. He also uses pulsation timing to find and parametrise binary systems. [contact]

Simon is also an outdoors enthusiast, participating in many adventure sports and activites.

Research interests

I’m currently working on:

• Disequilibrium nuclear fusion reactions in pre-main-sequence stars,
• Mode identification for rapidly rotating pulsators in star clusters. This will help us to derive accurate cluster ages from asteroseismology!

My interests:

• stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis
• pre-main-sequence stars
• asteroseismic parameter inference
• pulsation timing
• binary star orbits
• δ Scuti stars
• λ Bootis stars
• γ Doradus variables
• roAp stars
• Am/Ap stars

You can find my academic profile on the USQ Astrophysics page, here.

Publication lists, CV, and other documents

• Publication list (made with ADSref)
• Talks and seminars
• Short academic CV

Public and media

Selected media pieces and public talks:

• 5-minute news segment with the ABC on a star pulsating in only one hemisphere
• Shirtloads of Science podcast with Dr Karl Kruszelnicki: ep.186 When stars are born, they shake
• Space Connect Podcast on taking the guesswork out of finding planets

Social interests

My main hobbies include: Rock climbing - Caving - Ice Hockey - Canyoning - Cycling - Orienteering

Volunteering and Community

Volunteering:

• NSW Cave Rescue Squad
• Moreton Bay Shellfish Reef Restoration with OzFish

Contact

• email: simon.murphy@usq.edu.au
• snail: A/Prof Simon Murphy, USQ Toowoomba, 487-535 West St, Darling Heights QLD 4350.