Center for Computational Astrophysics

Simons Foundation

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 a cosmological context.

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

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

Center for Computational Astrophysics Fall Colloquia Schedule

Visiting Researcher Program – Center for Computational Astrophysics

Sky Rivers: Streams of Stars Reveal the Galaxy’s Violent History (Science)

Upcoming Events

December 2018

18 Tue
- Event 10:30 - 11:00 AM
  Astro-Ph Tea
19 Wed
- Meeting 12:30 - 2:00 PM
  Stars Group Meeting
20 Thu
- Event 10:30 - 11:00 AM
  Astro-Ph Tea
25 Tue
- Event 10:30 - 11:00 AM
  Astro-Ph Tea
26 Wed
- Meeting 12:30 - 2:00 PM
  Stars Group Meeting
27 Thu
- Event 10:30 - 11:00 AM
  Astro-Ph Tea
- Meeting 3:00 - 4:30 PM
  Flatiron Computational Methods and Data Science Journal Club

January 2019

01 Tue
- Event 10:30 - 11:00 AM
  Astro-Ph Tea
02 Wed
- Meeting 12:30 - 2:00 PM
  Stars Group Meeting
09 Wed
- Meeting 12:30 - 2:00 PM
  Stars Group Meeting

Research Highlights

November 8, 2018

The Spur and the Gap in GD-1: Dynamical evidence for a dark substructure in the Milky Way halo

A. Bonca, D. Hogg, A. M. Price-Whelan, C. Conroy

We present a model for the interaction of the GD-1 stellar stream with a massive perturber that naturally explains many…

arxiv:1811.03631

November 5, 2018

Zooming in on accretion – II. Cold Circumgalactic Gas Simulated with a super-Lagrangian Refinement Scheme

Joshua Suresh, Dylan Nelson, S. Genel, Kate Rubin, Lars Hernquist

In this study we explore the complex multi-phase gas of the circumgalactic medium (CGM) surrounding galaxies. We propose and implement…

arXiv:1811.01949

October 31, 2018

Suppressed Variance in Lyα Forest Simulations

L. Anderson, A. Pontzen, A. Font-Ribera, F. Villaescusa-Navarro, K. Rogers, S. Genel

We test a method to reduce unwanted sample variance when predicting Lyman-α (lyα) forest power spectra from cosmological hydrodynamical simulations.…

arxiv:1811.00043

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.

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