Our Research

The astrophysics group is very interested in: the detection of the reionization of the Universe by the earliest generation of galaxies; theoretical studies of the first stars and quasars (we are also a major partner in the construction of a new radio telescope in Western Australia - the MWA); measurement of the masses of the super-massive black-holes powering active galaxies in the early universe; theoretical investigations of galactic structure; studies of HI in nearby galaxies and gravitational lensing as a tool to study dark matter haloes of galaxies amongst others.

We are also deeply involved in the fundamental physics of compact objects like neutron stars and black holes which are expected to be detected as sources of gravitational waves during the next few years and form the basis for gravitational wave searches by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO). The group is also studying the electrodynamics of relativistic pulsar winds, in an effort to answer fundamental questions such as how energy is transported in the (wave-like) wind as well as understand the intricate, variable shock structures observed by Hubble Space Telescope and Chandra at the wind-nebula interface in pulsar-driven supernova remnants like the Crab.

Teaching & Research Staff

• 
  Professor Rachel Webster - Head of Astrophysics
• 
  Professor Stuart Wyithe - ARC Laureate Fellow, Deputy Head School of Physics
• 
  Professor Andrew Melatos - Associate Professor
• 
  Dr Christian Reichardt - Lecturer - Cosmologist
• 
  Dr Michele Trenti - Senior Lecturer and ARC Future Fellow

Research Only Staff

• 
  Dr Paul Geil - Research Fellow
• 
  Dr Hansik Kim - Research Fellow
• 
  Dr Katherine Mack - Research Fellow
• 
  Dr Benjamin McKinley - Research Fellow
• 
  Dr Simon Mutch - Research Fellow
• 
  Dr Bart Pindor - Cosmologist
• 
  Dr Greg Poole - Research Fellow
• 
  Dr Pietro Procopio - Research Fellow
• 
  Dr Edward Taylor - Research Fellow
• 
  Dr Edoardo Tescari - Research Fellow
• 
  Dr Chiara Tonini - Research Fellow
• 
  Dr Laura Wolz - Research Fellow

Students

• 
  Paul Angel - Postgraduate Student
• 
  Robert Barone-Nugent - Postgraduate Student
• 
  Mark Bennett - Postgraduate Student
• 
  Loren Bruns Jr - Postgraduate Student
• 
  Craig Burnett - Postgraduate Student