Computational Astrophysics is a rapidly growing branch of astrophysical research. Computer models simulate the fundamental physical processes at work in distant astronomical objects, seeking to accurately account for new observational data coming from large-scale surveys and precision observations. Researchers in the department develop novel numerical methods, including N-body codes, gravity and hydrodynamic schemes, radiative transfer codes, chemical networks, and large-volume data mining techniques, to model:
- cosmology: structure formation, dark matter dynamics
- galaxies and galaxy clusters: formation, evolution, dynamics, morphology classification
- active galactic nuclei: feedback effects
- relativistic jets
- interstellar medium: dynamics, chemistry, initial conditions for star formation
- star and planet formation: gas fragmentation, evolution of protoplanetary accretion disks
- accretion disks: structure, evolution, radiative signatures
- astrochemistry
Faculty
| Ted Bergin | Gus Evrard | Tim McKay |
| Nuria Calvet | Oleg Gnedin | Mateusz Ruszkowski |
Research Scientists & Postdocs
| Alicia Aarnio | Philip Hughes | Ruud Visser |
| Pedro R. Capelo | Dipankar Maitra | Hsiang-Yi (Karen) Yang |
| Fujun Du |
Graduate Students
| Nate Crockett | Sasha Muratov | Sandor Van Wassenhove |
Image Credit: NASA/AEI/ZIB/M. Koppitz & L. Rezzolla
