Astrophysics Research

Astrophysics research within the Centre spans the entire electromagnetic spectrum covering computational, theoretical and observational astronomy. Within the Centre, the research into the following areas is a priority:

Centre research is focused on understanding galaxy formation and its subsequent evolution. We study both examples in the nearby Universe and perform simulations of early structure formation. The role of the environment in shaping galaxy evolution is also a key theme. We also use gravitational lensing as a probe of dark matter distributions and cosmological models.

Globular clusters are perhaps the oldest stellar systems in the Universe and provide a useful probe of galaxy halos. Research within the Centre concentrates on measuring the age and chemical abundance properties of extragalactic globular clusters. We also use globular clusters as kinematic tracers of the dark matter distribution within galaxy halos.

Heading our efforts are the Intermediate and High Latitude Pulsar Surveys, and the High-Precision Timing of Southern Millisecond Pulsars. We are also actively involved in studies of interstellar scintillation, single-pulse polarimetry, as well as the development and design of baseband recording systems and a baseband software correlator. Having developed the world's largest bandwidth coherent dedispersion system to study pulsars at sub-microsecond time resolution and gravitaional waves.

Interests in this area range from star and planet formation (including formation of molecular clouds, the dynamics and evolution of disks around young single and binary stars, the early stages of planet growth from mircons to metres, and the effects of planets on the evolution of protostellar disks); stellar dynamics and evolution (N-body simulations of star cluster evolution and destruction, formation of exotic stars and binaries); and binary population synthesis.

Supermassive black holes millions to billions of times more massive than our Sun reside at the heart of most galaxies. We are actively studying (i) the connection between the mass of these black holes and the physical properties of their host galaxy, (ii) the damage they can cause to their hosts, and (iii) the signature of binary supermassive black holes on millisecond pulsar timing, and the implications this may have for gravity waves and black hole merger events.

Using the AAOmega instrument on the AAT, we are measuring redshifts for 400,000 galaxies to determine the clustering of matter at redshift z ~ 0.75. This clustering, or `baryonic wiggle', is a relic of the Big Bang and provides a measurement of the Dark Energy content of the Universe

Scientific visualisation for research and public outreach is a growing field. Of particular interest are 3D stereoscopic visualisation and digital dome projection, and their application to astronomical datasets. We also produce software and content for use in education centres around the world.