Center for Computational Astrophysics

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The Center for Computational Astrophysics's mission is to create new computational frameworks that allow scientists to analyze big astronomical datasets and to understand complex, multi-scale physics in astrophysical systems ranging in scales from planets to cosmology.

Increasingly more sophisticated ground-based observatories and space missions are collecting data to make tremendous discoveries in astronomy and astrophysics, but to make those discoveries will require the combined power of theory, data analysis and simulation. CCA’s mission is to develop the computational tools needed for these simulations and analyses.

Groups

ESA/Gaia/DPAC

Astronomical Data The Astronomical Data group solves hard problems in measurement and discovery. Depending on the context, the challenges in these problems can stem from the sheer size or complexity of the datasets, the precision requirements for measurements, or the subtlety or structure of the signals of interest. Read More

Compact Objects The Compact Objects group studies the astrophysics of neutron stars and black holes, using them as unique cosmic laboratories for exploring the physics of extreme gravitational and electromagnetic fields and of matter at extreme densities. Read More

Cosmology X Data Science The Cosmology X Data Science group develops novel algorithms and ways of thinking to apply to datasets to answer fundamental questions about the cosmos. Read More

Galaxy Formation The Galaxy Formation group is developing the numerical tools and physical insights necessary to understand how galaxies form and evolve within a cosmological context. Read More

Gravitational Wave Astronomy The detection of gravitational waves from the merging binary black hole GW150914, followed by the (likely) binary black hole mergers LVT151012, GW151226, and GW170104, means the era of gravitational wave astronomy is upon us. Read More

Planet Formation The Planet Formation group develops the theoretical framework and computational methods needed to understand the origin and evolution of planets and planetary systems. Read More

News & Announcements

July 30, 2019

Hundreds of New Exoplanets Found, Including 154 That ‘Reciprocally Transit’ (Scientific American Blog)

July 29, 2019

A Stellar Stream in the Milky Way Provides Evidence of Dark Substructure

July 10, 2019

Pair of Supermassive Black Holes Discovered on a Collision Course By Thomas Sumner

Upcoming Events

August 2019

28 Wed
- Workshop 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  Torch Open Source Workshop: Introduction to Structure and Use
- Meeting 12:30 - 2:00 PM
  Stars and Exoplanets Meeting
29 Thu
- Meeting 3:00 - 4:30 PM
  Flatiron Computational Methods and Data Science Journal Club
30 Fri
- Meeting 10:00 - 11:00 AM
  Dynamics Group Meetings

September 2019

04 Wed
- Meeting 12:30 - 2:00 PM
  Stars and Exoplanets Meeting
06 Fri
- Meeting 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  GothamFest
08 Sun
- Event 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
  LSSTC Data Science Fellowship Program
11 Wed
- Meeting 12:30 - 2:00 PM
  Stars and Exoplanets Meeting
12 Thu
- Meeting 3:00 - 4:30 PM
  Flatiron Computational Methods and Data Science Journal Club
13 Fri
- Meeting 10:00 - 11:00 AM
  Dynamics Group Meetings

Research Highlights

July 24, 2019

In the Galactic disk, stellar [Fe/H] and age predict orbits and precise [X/Fe]

M. Ness, K. Johnston, K Blancato, HW Rix, A Beane, JC Bird, K. Hawkins

We explore the structure of the element abundance–age–orbit distribution of the stars in the Milky Way’s low-α disk, by (re-)deriving…

arXiv:1907.10606

June 7, 2019

Detecting Thin Stellar Streams in External Galaxies: Resolved Stars & Integrated Light

S. Pearson, T. Starkenburg, K. Johnston, BF Williams, RA Ibata

The morphology of thin stellar streams can be used to test the nature of dark matter. It is therefore crucial…

arXiv.:1906.03264

May 21, 2019

The Galactic Midplane Is Not a Plane: Implications for Dynamical Analysis with Gaia Data and Beyond

A Beane, R. Sanderson, M. Ness, K. Johnston, DG Filho, M. Mac Low, D. Angles-Alcazar, D. Hogg, C. Laporte

Orbital properties of stars, computed from their six-dimensional phase space measurements and an assumed Galactic potential, are used to understand…

arXiv:1905.08803

Director

David Spergel, Ph.D.

Director, CCA

David Spergel joined the foundation in 2016 to lead its Center for Computational Astrophysics. He is an astrophysicist with research interests ranging from the search for planets around nearby stars to the shape of the universe.