The astronomy division supports research in important forefront areas of astrophysics, from exoplanets/stars, high-energy and multi-messenger astrophysics, to galaxies and cosmology, including theory/computation, observation and laboratory astrophysics.
Currently, the division is active in the following areas:
- Galaxies and cosmology: galaxy evolution, large-scale structure of the universe, cosmology.
- High-energy and relativistic astrophysics: compact objects (black holes, neutron stars, and white dwarfs), gravitational waves, particle astrophysics
- Exoplanets and stars: discovery and characterization of exoplanets (including atmospheres), dynamics and formation of planetary systems, stellar astrophysics
- Plasma astrophysics: laboratory astrophysics, high-energy density plasmas
The astronomy division works closely with the particle physics division, on particle astrophysics, dark matter search and other frontiers in fundamental physics. The astrophysics division expect to recruit many faculty members in the coming years, are open to expand/strengthen in other important areas of astrophysics.
Some of the resources include the data access of DESI, PFS, SKA and the AliCPT CMB experiment. SHTDLC participates in several high-energy astrophysics’ projects such as EHT, LHASSO and SWGO. Available computing resource is the division’s local cluster (384 nodes).
SHTDLC astrophysics division has a visitor’s program and organize topical workshops and conferences each year to create a scientifically stimulating environment. The division sponsors several prize postdoctoral fellows each year, together with a number of project postdoc fellows.