Adrian Malec
The presumed constant nature of fundamental physical quantities, such as the fine structure constant, has recently come under scrutiny from astrophysical observations. One cannot mathematically derive the values of these fundamental constants, yet they serve as important inputs to our physical models. Positive detection of variation may help uncover still unknown physical processes, pointing us towards the path of a more fundamental theory of physics.
I use observations of quasar absorption line spectra to find precise constraints on this possible variation. Quasars are among nature's most luminous and powerful objects. The quasar light we see today has travelled great distances, so great that it carries with it information about the conditions of intervening matter billions of years in the past. I use some of the world's largest optical telescopes to capture and study this light - investigating its spectrum at high resolution and the signatures of the fundamental constants it carries.
| Phone | +61 3 9214 8746 | |
| Fax | +61 3 9214 8797 | |
| Office | AR 302 | |
| Personal Webpage | http://astronomy.swin.edu.au/~amalec/ |