The University of Miami Astrophysics and Cosmology group uses radiation from outer space to study the evolution of the Universe and the structure of our Galaxy. On the largest scales in the universe and near the densest concentrations of matter, the understanding of gravity elucidated by Einstein and others makes specific predictions. Among them: that space itself throughout the cosmos expands from a Big Bang; that some energy may accelerate the expansion; and that dense matter can collapse to black holes, with gravity so strong that even light is trapped.
But the current understanding is incomplete. What powered the Big Bang? What is the "dark energy" driving the universe's acceleration? What is the intermediate step between the highly uniform Universe after the Big Bang and the highly discrete structure of galaxies and starts that we observe nowadays?
In our studies, unable travel across the universe, we use radiation from space. At Miami, we build instruments for measuring cosmic microwaves, relic radiation from the Big Bang, and use statistical techniques and supercomputers to study these and other experiments. We develop X-rays and particles detectors, and analyze data from existing satellite to study the structure and composition of our Galaxy and the Universe around us. Together, these contribute to our knowledge of the Universe evolution.
Drs. Galeazzi, Gundersen, and Cappelluti
Experimental Cosmology Lab
Experimental X-ray Astrophysics Lab
AGN-DB
Cosmological Surveys Group
