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Discovering how the universe works

Few thingsin the universe hold a unique fascination like space, stars, and the creation of the elements.Humans have long gazed towards the sky, searching for meaning and order to the universe around them. Astronomy is one of the oldest sciences. It is the study and observation of celestial objects and phenomena, like stars, planetsand the Milky Way Galaxy, that liebeyond Earth’s atmosphere.

Astrophysics is concerned not only with the observation of our galaxy but alsohow the universe originated and how it has evolved (cosmology). Astrophysicists applythe physical laws ofmicrophysical processes to explainastronomical events. These laws determinethe lifecycle of stars, planetsand galaxies in the universe as well as how the universe has changed with time.

Associated schools, institutes & centres

Impact

Our astronomical research focuses on the numerical simulation of binary star mergers, supernova explosions, and nucleosynthesis.Stars are the building blocks of the galaxy. These luminous balls of light helped explorers navigate the seas and now help modern-day scientists understandthe universe. When a dying star explodes, it ejects its mass and heavy elements into the surrounding space. Everything on Earth, including life, is composed of the chemical elements produced in stars and supernovaexplosions, which is what makes astrophysics research important.

We perform theoretical and observational research using Big Data methodologies to understand:

  • how stars explode as supernovae
  • the origin of the elements
  • gravitational wave sources in the galaxy
  • interacting binary star systems (binary star evolution).

Competitive advantage

  • Numerical simulations on the fastest supercomputer (Gadi) in the southern hemisphere.
  • Observations with the world’s most productive ground-based observatory ().
  • Unique group expertise on the binary star progenitors, explosion mechanisms, nucleosynthesis, and remnants of Type Ia supernovae.
  • Publications in leading journals, includingNature, Science, Physical Review Letters, Nature Astronomy, andAstrophysical Journal Letters.
  • Home to two ARC Future Fellows.
  • Invited to write a review (2020) for Astronomy and Astrophysics Reviews (impact factor 11.6) on Models of Type Ia Supernova Progenitors.
  • Participation in several invited talks and reviews at international and national conferences.
  • Members of:

Our researchers

Associate Dean (Research) Warrick Lawson
Associate Dean (Research)
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ARC Future Fellow, Physics & Oceanography Stream Coordinator Ashley Ruiter
ARC Future Fellow, Physics & Oceanography Stream Coordinator
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Lecturer in Astrophysics Simon Murphy
Lecturer in Astrophysics
    • ,IRSeitenzahl, PGhavamian, JM Laming, FPA Vogt (2019),Physical review letters 123 (4), 041101

    • ,AJ Ruiter, L Ferrario, KBelczynski, IRSeitenzahl, RM Crocker, AI Karakas (2019), Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 484 (1), 698-711

    • ,FH Panther, IRSeitenzahl, AJ Ruiter, RM Crocker, C Lidman, EXWang, (2019),Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia 36

    • ”,FPA Vogt, ES Bartlett, IRSeitenzahl, MA Dopita, PGhavamian, AJRuiter, (2018),Nature Astronomy 2 (6), 465-471

    • ,IRSeitenzahl, DMTownsley (2017),Handbook ofSupernovae:1955

    • ,RM Crocker, AJ Ruiter, IRSeitenzahl, FH Panther, S Sim, H Baumgardt, (2017),Nature Astronomy 1 (6), 1-6

    • ,IRSeitenzahl, FCiaraldi-Schoolmann, FKRöpke, M Fink, W Hillebrandt, (2013),Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 429 (2), 1156-1172

    • AJ Ruiter, SA Sim, RPakmor, M Kromer, ISeitenzahl, KBelczynski, M Fink, M Herzog, W Hillebrandt, FK Roepke, S Taubenberger (2013), Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 429 (2), 1425-1436

    • ,RPakmor, M Kromer, FKRöpke, SA Sim, AJ Ruiter, W Hillebrandt (2010),Nature 463 (7277), 61-64

    • AJ Ruiter, KBelczynski, C Fryer (2009),TheAstrophysicalJournal 699 (2), 2026

  • Students wishing to pursue studies in astronomy and astrophysics can choose from the following degree programs:

    is also taught in 2nd year as part of the undergraduate physics curriculum ().