Claes Fransson talks about supernovae and black holes

 

 

The Centre is an integral part of the AlbaNova University Centre, an exciting joint scientific venture by Stockholm University's Center for Physics, Astronomy and Biotechnology and the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH). 

"One of the ideas behind collecting the groups together was that we could benefit from each other," says Professor Claes Fransson, Head of the Astronomy Department, Stockholm University.

Together astronomers and physicists at Stockholm University are working in collaboration with physicists at KTH, united by a desire to better understand how galaxies come into existence and the basic structure of the universe. 

Some of the central work being done at the Centre is in Cosmology, as researchers try to understand more about the massive structure of the universe and its composition.

"Only five per cent is ordinary matter. The rest is dark matter, often found in galaxy clusters, and dark energy that we know nothing about today," explains Professor Fransson. "Dark matter and dark energy are not visible to the eye, giving off no visible light. To understand more about them you need an understanding of both astronomy and particle physics."

Researchers at the Centre trying to discover more about the invisible parts of the universe combine ordinary optical studies of the galaxy with analyses of the high energy particles which reach Earth. In this way, scientists develop a more nuanced picture of the universe. 

Other researchers at the Centre are attempting to understand how galaxies and stars once formed. They examine both young, newly formed galaxies in close to Earth and distant galaxies that took shape long ago.

Much of the work done by the researchers involves using both ground-based and space telescopes such as the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) which was launched by NASA in 1990. Hubble orbits the Earth above the atmosphere, giving it a view of the universe that far surpasses ground-based telescopes. They also use instruments that measure wavelengths entirely different from visible light, such as gamma radiation from black holes, supernovae and dark matter.

HEAC Graduate School

As part of this commitment to increasing our understanding of outer space,  HEAC has established a major Swedish joint research environment for young scholars interested in learning more about:

• dark matter and dark energy
• physics of supernovae, gamma-ray bursts and black holes
• observational cosmology
• the development of balloon- and satellite based instrumentation
• string theory and astroparticle physics

Students attending the graduate school are required to take compulsory courses in:

• high energy astrophysics
• cosmology and astroparticle physics 
• instrumentation in astroparticle physics
• astrophysical radiation processes

This ensures they have a firm foundation for research across the discipline. 

"Initially we have finances from the Royal Academy for five doctoral positions," says Fransson. "But it is hoped that this will double with support from Stockholm University and KTH. 

Naturally, the Centre aims to become a leading voice in the pursuit of knowledge about the universe. 

"We'll be inviting foreign researchers for visits of varying lengths," says Claes Fransson. "It's vital not only for us but for the students as well to come into contact with the best researchers in the fields concerned."

Text and interview: Jon Buscall