RESEARCH

CTA scientists are engaged in a wide variety of projects. Some of these topics are listed below with links to more information. CTA members are encouraged to include the Center for Theoretical Astrophysics affiliation in their research publications, in addition to their LANL group affiliation. Please use:

Center for Theoretical Astrophysics, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA

Publications →

Active Galactic Nuclei

Evolution of massive black holes, studying both radiation and magneto-hydrodynamic effects.

Computational Astrophysics

We develop and apply state-of-the-art methods and codes to tackle some of the most complex problems in astrophysics.

Cosmic Rays

Generation and propagation of cosmic rays from gamma-ray bursts and supernovae. Ties to a number of missions (e.g., HAWC, NuSTAR).

Cosmology and the First Stars

Cosmology calculations using a broad range of tools (e.g., ENZO and Gadget), focused on studying the formation of the first stars and black holes.

Engines Behind Transients

Thermonuclear and core-collapse supernovae, gamma-ray burst, and x-ray burst engines.

Emission for Transients

Modeling spectra and light-curves, radiation-hydrodynamics effects, atomic physics.

Experimental Astrophysics

Many of these fields leverage laboratory experiments in plasma physics, turbulence, radiation transport, nuclear, and atomic physics.

Nuclear Astrophysics

Understanding the behavior of matter at nuclear densities and applying these effects (neutrinos, equations of state) to supernova models.

Nucleosynthesis

Yields from stars and supernovae, nuclear cross-sections (tying to experiment), galactic chemical evolution.

Star and Planet Formation

Formation of the solar system, extra-solar planets.

Stellar Astrophysics

Structure, evolution, nucleosynthesis, and hydrodynamics of stars.

Supernova Remnants

Following the engine through the remnant phase, effects of NLTE opacities, and magneto-hydrodynamics.