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 Spring Colloquia Schedule

Visiting Researcher Program – Center for Computational Astrophysics

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

Featured Events

March 2019

Event
CCA Colloquia Schedule

Multiple dates
All speakers are scheduled on Friday from 3:30-4:30pm unless otherwise noted.

162 Fifth Ave.
5th Floor Classroom

April 2019

Event
CCA Colloquia Schedule

Multiple dates
All speakers are scheduled on Friday from 3:30-4:30pm unless otherwise noted.

162 Fifth Ave.
5th Floor Classroom

May 2019

Event
CCA Colloquia Schedule

Multiple dates
All speakers are scheduled on Friday from 3:30-4:30pm unless otherwise noted.

162 Fifth Ave.
5th Floor Classroom

June 2019

Event
CCA Colloquia Schedule

Multiple dates
All speakers are scheduled on Friday from 3:30-4:30pm unless otherwise noted.

162 Fifth Ave.
5th Floor Classroom

Upcoming Events

February 2019

20 Wed
- Workshop 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  Cosmology and Astrophysics with Intensity Mapping
- Seminar 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  CCA Seminar: Elisa Chisari
- Meeting 12:30 - 2:00 PM
  Stars Group Meeting
21 Thu
- Seminar 12:15 - 1:15 PM
  CCA Seminar: Stephen Taylor
- Meeting 3:00 - 4:30 PM
  Flatiron Computational Methods and Data Science Journal Club
22 Fri
- Meeting 9:30 - 11:30 AM
  Computational Data Analysis Class
- Lecture 4:00 - 5:00 PM
  CCA Colloquium: Reinhard Genzel
27 Wed
- Meeting 12:30 - 2:00 PM
  Stars Group Meeting

March 2019

01 Fri
- Meeting 9:30 - 11:30 AM
  Computational Data Analysis Class
- Meeting 10:00 - 11:00 AM
  Dynamics Group Meetings

Research Highlights

January 21, 2019

Probing supermassive black hole mergers and stalling with pulsar timing arrays

C. Mingarelli

The observation of gravitational-waves from merging supermassive black holes will be transformative: the detection of a low-frequency gravitational-wave background can…

Nature Astronomy

January 2, 2019

Wobble: a data-driven method for precision radial velocities

M. Bedell, D. Hogg, D. Foreman-Mackey, B. Montet, R. Luger

Extreme-precision radial velocity (EPRV) exoplanet surveys face considerable data analysis challenges in extracting maximally precise RVs from spectra. Chief among…

arXiv:1901.00503

December 30, 2018

The NANOGrav 11-Year Data Set: Limits on Gravitational Waves from Individual Supermassive Black Hole Binaries

K. Aggarwal, Z. Arzoumanian, P. Baker, A. Brazier, M. Brinson, P. Brook, S. Burke-Spolaor, S. Chatterjee, J. Cordes, N. Cornish, F. Crawford, K. Crowter, T. Cromartie, M. DeCesar, P. Demorest, T. Dolch, J. Ellis, R. Ferdman, E. Ferrara, E. Fonseca, N. Garver-Daniels, P. Gentile, J. Hazboun, A. Holgado, E. Huerta, K. Islo, R. Jennings, G. Jones, M. Jones, A. Kaiser, D. Kaplan, J. Key, M. Lam, T. Lazio, L. Levin, D. Lorimer, J. Luo, R. Lynch, D. Madison, M. McLaughlin, S. McWilliams, C. Mingarelli, C. Ng, D. Nice, T. Pennucci, N. Pol, S. Ransom, P. Ray, X. Siemens, J. Simon, R. Spiewak, I. Stairs, D. Stinebring, K. Stovall, J. Swiggum, S. Taylor, J. Turner, M. Vallisneri, R. van Haasteren, S. Vigeland, W. Zhu

Observations indicate that nearly all galaxies contain supermassive black holes (SMBHs) at their centers. When galaxies merge, their component black…

arXiv:1812.11585

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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