Cosmology

Charles Evans
Laura Mersini
Dan Reichart

Charles Evans is interested in theoretical models of gravitational wave sources, such as the merger of compact binaries containing neutron stars or black holes, and in the use of ground-based laser interferometer detectors (e.g., LIGO) and space-based detectors (e.g., LISA) to make gravitational wave observations. Future detections of astrophysical gravitational wave events will almost certainly come from sources at cosmological distances. In principle such detections can be used as a probe of cosmological parameters out to redshifts of 1-3.

Dan Reichart's work focuses on gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and in particular their use as probes of the early universe. Since the launch of NASA's Swift satellite in November 2004, Dan has used the rapid response PROMPT array of telescopes to obtain multi-color images that detect and measure the distances to about 10 GRBs per year, one of which is expected to be more distant than the most distant object in the universe identified to date. PROMPT was developed in collaboration with Prof. Clemens and the Goodman Lab. It is part of the Skynet Network of telescopes worldwide that Dan has developed to follow the short-term evolution of astronomical events as the earth rotates.