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

The Eternal Sky, Part 3: Tools for Bang or Bounce

You Are Here: Scientists Unveil Precise Map Of More Than A Billion Stars (NPR)

The Milky Way, Revealed as Never Before (Scientific American)

Upcoming Events

May 2018

23 Wed
- Workshop 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
  GAIA DR2 Prep Workshop
- Meeting 12:00 - 2:30 PM
  Stars Group Meeting
30 Wed
- Workshop 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
  GAIA DR2 Prep Workshop
- Meeting 12:00 - 2:30 PM
  Stars Group Meeting

June 2018

01 Fri
- Workshop 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  JWST CCA/STScI Workshop, Friday, June 1st
03 Sun
- Event
  Gaia Sprint

Research Highlights

April 26, 2018

A massive core for a cluster of galaxies at a redshift of 4.3

T. Miller, S. Chapman, M. Aravena, M. Ashby, C. Hayward, J. Vieira, A. Weiß, A. Babul, M. Béthermin, C. Bradford, M. Brodwin, J. Carlstrom, C.-C. Chen, D. Cunningham, C. De Breuck, A. Gonzalez, T. Greve, J. Harnett, Y. Hezaveh, K. Lacaille, K. Litke, J. Ma, M. Malkan, D. Marrone, W. Morningstar, E. Murphy, D. Narayanan, E. Pass, R. Perry, K. Phadke, D. Rennehan, K. Rotermund, J. Simpson, J. Spilker, J. Sreevani, A. Stark, M. Strandet, A. Strom

Massive galaxy clusters are now found as early as 3 billion years after the Big Bang, containing stars that formed…

Nature

April 25, 2018

Ingredients for 21cm intensity mapping

F. Villaescusa-Navarro, S. Genel, E Castorina, A Obuljen, D. Spergel, L Hernquist, D Nelson, I Carucci, A Pillepich, F Marinacci, B Diemer, M Vogelsberger, R Weinberger, R Pakmor

We study the abundance and clustering properties of HI at redshifts z⩽5 using TNG100, a large state-of-the-art magneto-hydrodynamic simulation of…

arXiv:1804.09180

April 19, 2018

Is the dark-matter halo spin a predictor of galaxy spin and size?

J Fangzhou, A Dekel, O Kneller, S Lapiner, D Ceverino, J Primack, S Faber, A Macciò, A Dutton, S. Genel, R. Somerville

The similarity between the distributions of spins for galaxies (λg) and for dark-matter haloes (λh), indicated both by simulations and…

arXiv:1804.07306

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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