Planet Formation, Planet Dynamics, Protoplanetary Disks
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/T. Pyle (SSC)
Since the discovery of the first exoplanet just over twenty years ago, the study of exoplanets has grown explosively. By now, astronomers have discovered thousands of exoplanets, with an incredibly diverse array of properties. This growth will undoubtedly continue into the future, as new kinds of planets are being observed with increasingly advanced telescopes. Faculty in CIERA study exoplanets theoretically and build instruments to directly image them.
Research at CIERA
The groups of Professors Rasio and Lithwick carry out theoretical work and simulations to study the long-term dynamics of planetary systems. Both groups study the chaotic dynamics of multi-planet systems as they evolve. Professor Rasio’s group also studies planet-planet interactions, star-planet interactions and tidal disruptions, and planets in binary star systems.
Professor Ulmer’s group is developing new infrared camera technology to advance our understanding of planetary systems by directly imaging planets around other stars.
Professor Wang’s group works on developing and using new instrumentation (high contrast imaging, high resolution spectroscopy, optical interferometry) to study directly imaged planetary systems and measure properties such as mass, orbital configuration, composition, and spin.
Professor Geller studies how gravitational interactions within star clusters can modify planetary systems over time, using numerical simulations, and how these simulated planets correspond with observations.
Professor Muñoz studies mechanisms like disk-driven and high-eccentricity migration, distorted protoplanetary disks, and few-body secular dynamics and stellar obliquities.
Professor Fragione uses numerical methods to investigate the origin and fate of planetary systems in binary and triple stars.
Opportunities
Deadline: 6:00pm, November 2, 2023
The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) is collaborating with The Brinson Foundation to further the Brinson Prize Fellowship program. These fellowships are awarded to early career astrophysicists and cosmologists who are committed to chasing bold ideas with creative, nimble, and innovative research. These awards focus on supporting research in observational cosmology, in particular that which
Deadline: 11:59pm, November 6, 2023
Northwestern University and The University of Chicago are accepting applications for the inaugural Northwestern – UChicago Brinson Postdoctoral Fellowship in Astrophysics, to start in Fall 2024. The Fellow will have the opportunity to pursue an independent research program and benefit from the diverse and dynamic intellectual environments at both Northwestern University CIERA (learn more about
Deadline: 11:59pm, November 15, 2023
The Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics (CIERA) at Northwestern University invites applications for CIERA Postdoctoral Fellowships. CIERA Fellows have the opportunity to pursue an independent research program and benefit from a diverse and dynamic intellectual environment.
Deadline: 11:59pm, November 15, 2023
Northwestern University expects to offer postdoctoral associate positions in observational astronomy and astrophysics starting in Fall 2024. These positions will be part of the Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics (CIERA) at Northwestern. Successful applicants will benefit from interaction with a broad interdisciplinary group of researchers and will be immersed in a diverse and dynamic intellectual environment.
News
Gallery
17-year time-lapse of Beta Pictoris b orbiting its star
17-year time-lapse of Beta Pictoris b orbiting its star
This is the longest time-lapse footage of an exoplanet to date, all made with real data. Beta Pictoris b is a 12 Jupiter mass planet orbiting its star at a distance of 10 AU (10x Earth-Sun distance) on a near-edge on orbit. The first image of the planet was obtained in 2003. However, the planet’s
- Outreach,
- Science,
- Education
Aaron Geller and Alex Gurvich showcase Firefly on AAS Journal Author Series
Aaron Geller and Alex Gurvich showcase Firefly on AAS Journal Author Series
On May 27, 2023, CIERA Research Assistant Professor Aaron Geller and former NSF Graduate Fellow Alex Gurvich were featured on the American Astronomical Society (AAS) Journal Author Series to showcase Firefly, their new browser-based interactive tool for visualizing 3D particle data sets. Geller and Gurvich were interviewed by the AAS’s Frank Timmes. Read the full news story
- Event
Origin, Evolution and Habitability of Planet Earth: a CIERA Interdisciplinary Colloquium by David Bercovici
Origin, Evolution and Habitability of Planet Earth: a CIERA Interdisciplinary Colloquium by David Bercovici
Professor David Bercovici presents an Interdisciplinary Colloquium on March 30, 2023, organized by Northwestern University’s Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics. Read the full CIERA News story here.
- Interdisciplinary,
- Event
Climate of Mars, past and future: a CIERA Interdisciplinary Colloquium by Edwin Kite
Climate of Mars, past and future: a CIERA Interdisciplinary Colloquium by Edwin Kite
Professor Edwin Kite presents an Interdisciplinary Colloquium on February 21, 2023, organized by Northwestern University’s Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics. Read the full CIERA News story here.
- Interdisciplinary,
- Event
Twelve-Year Exoplanet Timelapse
Twelve-Year Exoplanet Timelapse
Using observations collected from 2009 to 2021 CIERA Professor Jason Wang has assembled a time lapse video of HR8799, the first directly imaged extrasolar planetary system. The video shows a family of four exoplanets, each more massive than Jupiter, orbiting their star and gives viewers an unprecedented glimpse into planetary motion. To construct the video,
Jason Wang/Northwestern/CIERA
- Science,
- Outreach
Northwestern Astronomer Part of Webb Telescope Team to Image Exoplanet
Northwestern Astronomer Part of Webb Telescope Team to Image Exoplanet
For the first time, the James Webb Space Telescope has been used to directly image an exoplanet — that’s a planet outside of our solar system. Although it’s not the first time an exoplanet has been directly imaged, it is the first time the Webb Telescope’s powerful gaze has been turned to the task. And
People
Core Faculty
Associate Faculty
Suzan van der Lee
Sarah Rebecca Roland Professor, Director of Graduate Studies, Director of Computing
Affiliate Faculty
Neal Blair
Professor, Joint Appointment in Civil & Environmental Engineering
Magdalena Osburn
Associate Professor, Curriculum Chair, and Seminar Coordinator
External Faculty
Diego Muñoz
Visiting Scholar, Professor at University of Arizone
Postdocs
Graduate Students
