Projects: Theoretical Astrophysics
Founded in 1983, the Fermilab Theoretical Astrophysics Group consists of approximately 15 theoretical astrophysicists who perform research at the confluence of astrophysics, cosmology, and particle physics. The group is partially funded by a NASA Astrophysics Theory grant. Since its inception, the group has prepared over 1000 papers for publication.
As the new field of astro-particle physics rapidly develops, we are witnessing an exciting time in the history of science. Progress is being made in the traditional areas of experimental particle physics (accelerator experiments), as well as in the use of astrophysical experiments to study elementary particles. The most striking example of this success is the measurement of the neutrino masses and mixing angles that have been made over the last decade. Many of the questions asked by particle physicists are difficult to address with collider experiments and are being explored ever increasingly by astrophysicists. The Fermilab Astrophysics Group's research traces many of these new developments including dark matter, dark energy, supersymmetry, high-energy neutrinos, extra dimensions, ultra-high energy cosmic rays, superstring cosmology, the cosmic microwave background, and gravitational lensing.
A large portion of the group's research also includes simulations of various observable probes, including large scale structure, galaxy clusters, supermassive black holes, gravitational lensing, and the Sunyaev-Zeldovich effects. These produce observable signatures which depend on which cosmological model governs the underlying properties of the universe, and can in principal be used to extract information about fundamental physics. The simulations are then used to test signal extraction algorithms in the presence of simulated cosmological foregrounds and instrument effects that mimic some of the obstacles that real world observations must overcome.
In additional to the research of its individual members, the Theoretical Astrophysics Group also organizes several types of events to facilitate collaboration and communication. Seminars from visiting researchers are held weekly, who are then encouraged to stay for longer visits. Another example is 'Munch', a weekly informal discussion of the most interesting recent articles posted on the arXiv server. There have also been journal clubs to focus on one particular research development, and several conferences and workshops dedicated to intense study of a field.
