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

Pair of Supermassive Black Holes Discovered on a Collision Course

Kavli Summer Program in Astrophysics Connects Students and Scientists

The First AI Simulation of the Universe Is Fast and Accurate — and Even Its Creators Don’t Know How It Works

Upcoming Events

July 2019

15 Mon
- Workshop 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  CLASS + SONG Workshop
16 Tue
- Workshop 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  Machine Learning for Beginners Summer School: Hack hours
17 Wed
- Meeting 12:30 - 2:00 PM
  Stars and Exoplanets Meeting
18 Thu
- Workshop 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  Machine Learning for Beginners Summer School
- Event 12:30 - 2:00 PM
  Mentor Lunches
- Meeting 3:00 - 4:30 PM
  Flatiron Computational Methods and Data Science Journal Club
19 Fri
- Meeting 10:00 - 11:00 AM
  Dynamics Group Meetings
23 Tue
- Workshop 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  Machine Learning for Beginners Summer School: Hack hours
24 Wed
- Meeting 12:30 - 2:00 PM
  Stars and Exoplanets Meeting
25 Thu
- Event 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
  Simons Observatory WBS 1.6 Buddy Review

Research Highlights

2019

On the Apparent Dichotomy Between the Masses of Black Holes Inferred via X-rays and via Gravitational Waves

R. Perna, Y. Wang, N. Leigh, M. Cantiello

Prior to the detection of black holes (BHs) via the gravitational waves (GWs) they generate at merger, the presence of…

ArXiv:1901.03345

March 1, 2019

Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics (MESA): Pulsating Variable Stars, Rotation, Convective Boundaries, and Energy Conservation

B. Paxton, R. Smolec, A. Gautschy, L. Bildsten, M. Cantiello, A. Dotter, R. Farmer, J. A. Goldberg, A. S. Jermyn, S. M. Kanbur, P. Marchant, J. Schwab, A. Thoul, R. H. D. Townsend, W. M. Wolf, M. Zhang, F. X. Timmes

We update the capabilities of the open-knowledge software instrument Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics (MESA). RSP is a new…

ArXiv:1903.01426

February 15, 2019

From Dark Matter to Galaxies with Convolutional Networks

X. Zhang, Y. Wang, W. Zhang, Y. Sun, S. He, G. Contardo, F. Villaescusa-Navarro, S. Ho

Cosmological surveys aim at answering fundamental questions about our Universe, including the nature of dark matter or the reason of…

ArXiv:1902.05965

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.