Theoretical Astrophysics

Theoretical Astrophysics

Area 7 focuses on the use of numerical simulations and astroinformatics together with high-performance computing to study the formation of the first stars, the growth of supermassive black holes, stellar and galactic dynamics, astrochemistry and transient phenomena, to complement observational work. In addition, state-of-the-art machine learning techniques are applied to analyse the large volumes of data brought by the new generations of telescopes.

Research Topics

Formation of the First Stars

The formation of the first stars in the universe is a fundamental phenomenon for understanding the early evolution of the cosmos. Numerical simulations provide an essential tool to study how fluctuations of matter under the influence of gravity and background radiation led to the creation of these stars, marking a turning point in the history of the universe.

Supermassive Black Hole Growth

The growth of supermassive black holes from their origins as simple ‘seeds’ to the giants we observe at the centres of many galaxies is crucial for understanding galactic dynamics and cosmic evolution. Simulations help to elucidate the accretion processes and stellar collisions that contribute to their rapid mass increase.

Dynamics of Binary Systems and N-Body Problems

Binary system dynamics and n-body problems are areas of study that address the complex gravitational interactions between multiple astronomical bodies. This field is vital for understanding how stellar systems, from binaries to dense clusters, evolve and affect the formation and stability of larger astrophysical structures such as galaxies and star clusters.