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Research Group on Computational Astrophysics and Cosmology - CompAC

Description

The research activity of the group seeks to understand the various structural elements that constitute the Universe, such as black holes, stars, galaxies and the large-scale structure of the Universe, and their mutual interrelation. Astrophysics and Cosmology, traditionally observational disciplines, have undergone major developments in recent decades thanks to the advent of supercomputers. These large scientific infrastructures, like virtual laboratories, make it possible to use sophisticated numerical simulation programmes to develop and test theoretical models by comparing them with observational data obtained with the most modern telescopes. It is precisely in this cutting-edge area of scientific computing that the research work of our group is framed. The fields of study include:

  1. Relativistic astrophysical jets produced in different scenarios, such as active galaxy nuclei and massive binary stars.
  2. Astrophysical sources of gravitational radiation. The aim is to calculate the emission of gravitational radiation produced in the growth process on neutron stars and black holes, in the gravitational collapse of magnetised and rotating stellar nuclei, in the pulsations of relativistic and rapidly rotating stars and in binary neutron star systems.
  3. Cosmology, with special interest in the formation and evolution of galaxies and its mediating role between stellar astrophysics and large-scale cosmology.

The members of the group have extensive experience in the development, optimisation and parallelisation of simulation programs based on different numerical techniques (finite difference/volume methods for the equations of classical and relativistic hydrodynamics and magnetohydrodynamics, N-body techniques, AMR, Numerical Relativity,...). They also have regular access to high-performance computing infrastructures (Spanish Supercomputing Network, PRACE,...). This research activity is carried out in close collaboration with observational and/or experimental groups. 

The group also has a wide network of collaborators in numerous research centres, including the Astrophysics Institutes of the Canary Islands and Andalusia, the Astrophysics Department of the Complutense University, the Department of Astronomy and Meteorology of the University of Barcelona, the Department of Physics of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics (Garching, Germany), Radioastronomy (Bonn, Germany) and Radioastronomy (Bonn, Germany) and Gravitation Physics (Golm, Germany), the Observatories of Paris (Meudon, France) and Trieste (Trieste, Italy) and the Institute for Computational Cosmology (Durham, UK). 

All members of the research group have received continuous funding from regional, national and/or European programmes since the beginning of their research.

Goals CT
  • To contribute to the understanding of the various astrophysical scenarios that constitute the Universe through the use of numerical simulations.
Research lines
  • Relativistic extragalactic jets on the parsec scale

    Study of the properties of extragalactic jets in the innermost regions of active galaxies, such as stability, or the role of the magnetic field in the dynamics of the jets. In addition, we collaborate in the interpretation of radio interferometric observations of these objects.

  • Computational relativistic relativistic magnetohydrodynamics

    Design of algorithms for the numerical solution of the equations of relativistic magnetohydrodynamics.

  • Relativistic flows in massive binary stars

    Study of the evolution of relativistic jets and the interaction between relativistic pulsar winds and stellar winds in high-mass binary stars. These scenarios are interesting as potential sources of high-energy radiation.

  • Estructura a gran escala del universo

    Simulations of large cosmological volumes including dark matter and gas. Analysis of statistical descriptors and comparison with observational data. Study of cosmological gaps.

  • Cosmology and magnetic fields

    Cosmological simulations including primordial magnetic fields. Comparison with simulations without magnetic field and study of the effects of the field on the dynamics of cosmological structures.

  • Simulation of astrophysical sources of gravitational radiation

    Simulation of astrophysical processes emitting gravitational radiation (collapsars, collision of neutron stars in compact binaries, etc.). Obtaining the cosmological background of gravitational radiation from the formation of supermassive black holes and large-scale structures.

  • Extragalactic jets on a kiloparsec scale

    Study of the evolution of extragalactic jets and the relevant factors in the evolution (power, mass loading by gas clouds and stellar winds within the progenitor galaxy, development of instabilities...). Effects on the progenitor galaxy.

  • Desarrollo de algoritmos para el análisis de señales de radiación gravitatoria

    Reconstruction of gravitational collapse signals from the core of massive stars. Catalogues of signals by magneto-rotational, neutrino and acoustic mechanisms. Obtaining physical parameters. Comparison of Bayesian inference techniques and Split-Bregman algorithms.

  • Formation and evolution of galaxies and galaxy clusters

    Simulation of galaxy formation and evolution including cooling and heating processes, metals and star formation. Study of stellar populations in galaxies: metallicity and age gradients. Comparison with observational data.

  • Strongly magnetised neutron stars

    Study of the magnetic field configuration, persistent X-ray emission, and quasi-periodic oscillations in magnetars.

Management
  • MARTI PUIG, JOSE MARIA
  • PDI-Catedratic/a d'Universitat
  • Vicedega/Vicedegana / Vicedirector/a Ets
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Members
  • CORDERO CARRION, ISABEL
  • Alumn.-Servei de Formacio Permanent
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  • FONT RODA, JOSE ANTONIO
  • PDI-Catedratic/a d'Universitat
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  • QUILIS QUILIS, VICENTE
  • PDI-Catedratic/a d'Universitat
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  • TORRES FORNE, ALEJANDRO
  • Alumn.-Servei de Formacio Permanent
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  • RUIZ MENESES, MILTON JAVIER
  • PI-Invest Disting d'Excel.lencia Cv
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Scientific production by UV researcher
  • CORDERO CARRION, ISABEL
    Alumn.-Servei de Formacio Permanent
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Associated structure
Contact group details
Computational Astrophysics and Cosmology Group (CompAC)

Burjassot/Paterna Campus

C/ Dr. Moliner, 50

46100 Burjassot (Valencia)

+34 963 543 071

Geolocation

www.uv.es/rag

jose-maria.marti@uv.es

Contact people
  • MARTI PUIG, JOSE MARIA
  • PDI-Catedratic/a d'Universitat
  • Vicedega/Vicedegana / Vicedirector/a Ets
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