
Astrophysics
A broad spectrum of astronomy and astrophysics is researched at the Niels Bohr Institute – everything from the visible Universe such as planets, stars and galaxies – to the invisible universe and the presence of dark energy and dark matter.
The NBI astrophysicists participate in many international projects and have access to modern telescopes and satellites via, e.g. Denmark’s membership of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) and the European Space Agency (ESA), and to state-of-the-art supercomputers.
There is a strong tradition for collaborating with skilled engineers and technician’s towards developing and building advanced new instruments for the exploration of space.
Astrophysics at NBI is administrational organized in three research sections with a broad range of interests.
There are close to 100 astrophysicists at the NBI, including 15 permanent faculty, non-permanent faculty, postdocs and PhD students. In addition, we have a number of affiliate professors and emeritus professors that contribute actively to our research.
Astrophysics is currently situated at three different locations. Astrophysics and Planetary Science is located at the Geological Museum, while the Dark and Dawn sections are located at the Vibenshuset. Furthermore, two research groups are hosted at the Niels Bohr International Academy. Astrophysics at NBI offer a comprehensive master's specialization with 10 astrophysics courses, covering all parts of modern physics attracting many Danish and international students, and supports the bachelor program in physics with 4 different astrophysics bachelor courses.
The Niels Bohr institute has many MSc and PhD students. The students are closely attached to the research groups and supervisor, and have many social activities for International and Danish students.
If you are interested in studying Astrophysics, consider looking at these pages:
- M.Sc. in Physics with specialization in Astrophysics, courses etc.
- Overview of M.Sc, B.Sc and PhD theses in Astrophysics
General information about the education, application, living in Denmark etc.
Astrophysics applies the laws of physics to explain the birth, life and death of stars, planets, galaxies, nebulae and other objects in the universe.
Because astrophysics is a very broad subject, astrophysicists apply concepts and methods from many disciplines of physics, including classical mechanics, electromagnetism, statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, relativity, nuclear and particle physics, and atomic and molecular physics.
Planets
For centuries, people have wondered whether other stars have planets, and whether those planets might harbor life. Within the last few decades, it has become possible to make progress on these timeless questions. Exoplanetary science – the study of planets around other stars – is one of the newest and most rapidly growing branches of astrophysics.
For centuries, people have wondered whether other stars have planets, and whether those planets might harbor life. Within the last few decades, it has become possible to make progress on these timeless questions. Exploration of the planet Mars (our own and in strong collaboration with the meteorite group at the Geological museum) help reveal the past conditions for life on Mars. Exoplanetary science – the study of planets around other stars – is one of the newest and most rapidly growing branches of astrophysics. It help us understand the diversity of ways planets can form, why we have life on Earth, and eventually whether life exist on planets around other stars.
Stars
To understand the formation and evolution of stars is essential for understanding the evolution of the Universe as a whole. Astronomers approach these problems by observations at many wavelengths and by theoretical calculations.
Star formation is closely coupled to planet formation, in ways that are still not well understood. The properties of the faintest and brightest stars determine the overall stellar energy output in a galaxy and is therefore coupled to the evolution of galaxies. Stars can also be used as probes of the gravitational effects of dark matter, and of extreme physics in conditions, which are unattainable in the lab.
Galaxies
A galaxy is a gravitationally bound entity, typically consisting of dark matter, gas, dust and stars. Galaxies are host to some of the most extreme processes in nature.
Galaxies populate the Universe, mainly residing in clusters and groups. There are thought to be over 100 billion galaxies in the observable Universe. The most well-known galaxy is our own Milky Way. Galaxies have changed the way they look and behave over the history of the universe – since they formed after the Big Bang until now.
Cosmology
Cosmology is aim at studying the origin and evolution of the universe, from the Big Bang to today and on into the future. It is the scientific study of the origin, evolution, and eventual fate of the universe.
Physical cosmology is the scientific study of the universe's origin, its large-scale structures and dynamics, and its ultimate fate, as well as the laws of science that govern these areas. While other aspects astronomy deal with individual objects and phenomena or collections of objects, cosmology spans the entire universe from birth to death, with a wealth of mysteries at every stage.
High energy astrophysics
High-energy astrophysics studies the Universe at the extreme.
Black holes, neutron stars, exploding supernovae, and relativistically moving jets continually challenge our understanding of the behavior of matter at extreme densities and temperatures, high velocities, enormous magnetic fields, and strong gravity. Understanding these extreme environments is key to interpreting the bizarre energetic phenomena that occur in Active Galactic Nuclei, pulsars, supernovae, and gamma-ray bursts.
AstroNu
The Neutrino Astrophysics (AstroNu) group at NBI aims at unveiling the nature of fascinating weakly interacting elementary particles, such as the neutrino, and at using them as probes of the engine behind the most energetic transients in our Universe.
Exoplanets & Astrobiology
The first exoplanets, i.e. planets outside our own solar system, were discovered only a few decades ago. Today we know of thousands of them, and they post a challenge to the understanding of how planetary systems form. Our group participate in discovering and characterising some of the most interesting exoplanets. By modelling their spectra we will be able to calculate what they are made of. Eventually these models will reveal whether biological processes affects the atmosphere, as is the case on Earth. By performing biological experiments, we quantify how much different types of life will affect the observable spectra.
MARS
The Mars group at NBI is an experimental research group working with exploration of the Martian surface. The research is currently focused on the mineral composition of the Martian soil, rocks and particularly the airborne dust. An essential activity is the participation in experiments on Mars lander and rover missions for which we design and build various science instruments and experiments.
Theoretical Astrophysics Group
The Theoretical Astrophysics Group at NBI and the Niels Bohr International Academy span a broad variety of topics in the area of astrophysical fluid and magnetohydro dynamics. We are interested in understanding the physics of accretion flows around young stars and compact objects and their associated jets, the interstellar and intracluster media, and the early evolution of our solar system, as well as exoplanetary systems.
Young Stars
Using astronomical observations and sophisticated models we study how stars and planets are formed, what physics and chemistry occur during the early evolution of young stars and what the potentially determines whether Earth-like planets with life may be present elsewhere. The research is funded by the European Research Council (ERC).
Centre for ExoLife Sciences (CELS): CELS is a collaboration between three institutes at University of Copenhagen, the Niels Bohr Institute, the Department of Biology, and the Department of Chemistry. The research is focused on studies of the conditions on Earth, Mars, and exoplanets and how life affects the large-scale structure of their atmospheres. Visit the CELS homepage >>
DARK: DARK explores the farthest reaches of Space by observing cosmological 'beacons' such as supernoae and gamma ray-bursts. Cosmological research topics at DARK consist of dark matter, dark energy, black holes, high-energy astrophysics, galaxies and neutrinos. Visit the DARK homepage >>
DAWN: DAWN is dedicated to uncovering how and when the first galaxies, stars and Black holes were formed. DAWN is located in Copenhagen at the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, and at the National Space Institute of the Danish Technical University (DTU-Space). The center is dedicated to uncovering how and when the first galaxies, stars and black holed formed, through observations with the prime telescopes of the next decade (ALMA, JWST, Euclid, E-ELT, HST) as well as through theory and simulations. Visit the DAWN homepage >>
Astrophysics and Planetary Science section
Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350 København K, Building: 01-2-407
Head: Troels Haugbølle, Associate Professor
Phone: +45 35 32 11 41, Email: haugboel@nbi.ku.dk
Secretary: Julie Meier Hansen
Phone: +45 35 33 43 96, Email: juliemh@nbi.ku.dk
The Cosmic Dawn section
Niels Bohr Building, Jagtvej 128, 2 floor, 2200 København N.
Head: Johan Peter Uldall Fynbo, Professor
Phone: +45 35 32 59 83, Email: jfynbo@nbi.ku.dk
Secretary: Guarn Elizabeth Nissen
Phone: +45 35 32 59 68, Email: guarn.nissen@nbi.ku.dk
DARK section
Niels Bohr Building, Jagtvej 128, 2. floor, 2200 København N.
Head: Steen Harle Hansen, Associate Professor
Phone: +45 35 32 59 88, Email: hansen@nbi.ku.dk
Secretary: Meagan Kelsey Jensen
Phone: +45 35 32 59 20, Email: meagan.kelsey@nbi.ku.dk
Staff
Name | Title | Phone | |
---|---|---|---|
Search in Name | Search in Title | Search in Phone | |
Agnello, Adriano | Guest Researcher | +4535337641 | |
Alexiou, Evdoxia | Student FU | ||
Allen, Natalie Pearl | PhD Student | +4535335565 | |
Amadio, Flavia | Enrolled PhD Student | +4535327372 | |
Andersen, Anja C. | Professor | +4535325892 | |
Andersen, Michael Ingemann | Special Consultant | +4535325992 | |
Angus, Charlotte | Guest Researcher | +4535331535 | |
Bacchini, Cecilia | Postdoc | +4535327125 | |
Bach-Møller, Nanna | PhD Student | ||
Balduin, Thorsten | PhD Student | ||
Baungaard-Sørensen, Helena | Section Secretary | +4535327014 | |
Berlok, Thomas | Postdoc | +4535329383 | |
Blaauw, Sylvia | Secretary | +4535336955 | |
Bonaventura, Nina | External Consultant | ||
Brammer, Gabriel | Associate Professor | ||
Bruun, Sofie Helene | Enrolled PhD Student | +4535336477 | |
Buchhave, Lars A. | Affiliate Professor | ||
Campolmi, Irene | External Consultant | ||
Campos Estrada, Beatriz | Enrolled PhD Student | ||
Christensen, Lise Bech | Associate Professor | +4535320604 | |
Clasen, Jacob Wang | External Consultant | +45+34619274750 | |
Clausen, Thorbjørn Valdemar Ræder | Student | ||
Cold, Cecilie | Research Assistant | +4535333613 | |
Damkjær, Oliver David | PhD Fellow | +4535323522 | |
Damm, Jo Verwohlt | Research Assistant | ||
Dib, Sami Marcel | Guest Researcher | +4535320626 | |
Dutkowska, Katarzyna Magdalena | Enrolled PhD Student | +4535334609 | |
Fabj, Gaia | PhD Fellow | +4535328883 | |
Farías Hinojosa, Diego Andrés | PhD Fellow | +4535322174 | |
Fynbo, Johan Peter Uldall | Professor | +4528755983 | |
Gall, Christa | Associate Professor | +4535326076 | |
Garrido Zornoza, Miguel | PhD Fellow | ||
Gavino, Sacha Paul-Elie | Postdoc | ||
Gelli, Viola | Postdoc | +4535328309 | |
Gianas, Lazaros | Student | +4535333795 | |
Gledhill, Rachel Alice | External Consultant | ||
Gould, Katriona Mai Landau | External Consultant | +4535337125 | |
Grcic, Marcela | PhD Fellow | +4535329560 | |
Gressel, Oliver | No job title | +4535325228 | |
Hajela, Aprajita | Postdoc | +4535323339 | |
Hansen, Steen Harle | Associate Professor | +4535325988 | |
Hansen, Terese Thidemann | Guest Researcher | +4535328942 | |
Haugbølle, Troels | Associate Professor | +4535321141 | |
Heinemann, Tobias Peter | Guest Researcher | ||
Heintz, Kasper Elm | Assistant Professor | ||
Hendriks, Kai Sebastian Paul | PhD Fellow | +4535329778 | |
Hjorth, Jens | Professor | +4535325928 | |
Hjortlund, Jacob Osman | Research Assistant | ||
Holm, Simone Vejlgaard | PhD Fellow | +4535323108 | |
Hutter, Anne Katharina | Postdoc | +4535323967 | |
Høg, Erik | Associate Professor Emeritus | +4561706129 | |
Izzo, Luca | External Researcher | +4535337153 | |
Jakobsen, Peter | Affiliate Professor | ||
Jensen, Meagan Kelsey | Centre Coordinator | +4535325920 | |
Jin, Shuowen | External Postdoc | +4535331184 | |
Jørgensen, Jes Kristian | Professor | +4535324186 | |
Jørgensen, Uffe Gråe | Associate Professor | +4535325998 | |
Kakiichi, Koki | Assistant Professor | +4535329769 | |
Khetan, Nandita | Postdoc | +4535323984 | |
Killi, Meghana | External Consultant | ||
Kinch, Kjartan Bergeron | Affiliate Associate Professor | +4535320512 | |
Klausen, Rikke Stougaard | Student | ||
Klitsch, Anne | Guest Researcher | +4535336085 | |
Knude, Jens Kirkeskov | Associate Professor Emeritus | ||
Kokorev, Vasilii | External Consultant | +4535325205 | |
Kolborg, Anne Noer | PhD Student | +4535320855 | |
Kreilgaard, Kimi Cardoso | PhD Fellow | ||
Kuruwita, Rajika Lakmali | Visitor | +4535327998 | |
Küffmeier, Michael | Postdoc | ||
Lagerfjärd, Anders | Enrolled PhD Student | ||
Laursen, Peter | Academic Research Staff | +4535320519 | |
Lesniewska, Aleksandra Lidia | Research Assistant | +4535329918 | |
Li, Zhen | PhD Student | ||
Liu, Bin | Guest Researcher | +4535325150 | |
Liu, Lijie | Postdoc | +4535328697 | |
Lu, Ting-Yi | PhD Fellow | +4535324279 | |
Ma, Guozhen | PhD Fellow | +4535329094 | |
Madsen, Morten Bo | Associate Professor | +4535320515 | |
Magdis, Georgios | Affiliate Associate Professor | ||
Malesani, Daniele Bjørn | Academic Staff | ||
Mason, Charlotte | Associate Professor | +4535334089 | |
Matharu, Jasleen Kaur | Postdoc | +4535323554 | |
Mazurczyk, Mikolaj Tymon | Research Assistant | ||
Mc Partland, Conor John Ryan | Postdoc | +4535323772 | |
Merusi, Marco | Visiting PhD Student | +4535321117 | |
Milvang-Jensen, Bo | Academic Research Staff | ||
Møller, Kristian Holten | Guest Researcher | ||
Nielsen, Rasmus Damgaard | PhD Fellow | +4535323320 | |
Nissen, Guarn Elizabeth | Special Consultant | +4535331745 | |
Nordlund, Åke | Professor | +4535325968 | |
Nordström, Birgitta | Associate Professor Emerita | +4530278982 | |
O'Neill, David William | PhD Fellow | +4535328489 | |
Oesch, Pascal | Associate Professor | +4535324387 | |
Pedersen, Holger | Associate Professor Emeritus | +4535332654 | |
Pessah, Martin Elias | Professor | +4535325312 | |
Prieto Lyon, Gonzalo Juan | PhD Fellow | +4535324275 | |
Raimundo, Sandra | External Researcher | +4535331659 | |
Rangavar Langeroodi, Danial | PhD Fellow | +4535321761 | |
Rasmussen, Per Kjærgaard | Associate Professor Emeritus | +4551495631 | |
Reynolds, Tom | Postdoc | +4535323411 | |
Rizzo, Francesca | Postdoc | +4535320550 | |
Rusakov, Vadim | PhD Fellow | +4535335440 | |
Samsing, Johan Georg Mulvad | Assistant Professor | +4535320370 | |
Sarangi, Arka | Assistant Professor | +4535331348 | |
Schneider, Aaron David | PhD Fellow | ||
Sedgewick, Aidan | Postdoc | ||
Sharma, Rajeeb | PhD Fellow | ||
Shuntov, Marko | Postdoc | +4535323224 | |
Steinhardt, Charles | Associate Professor | +4535335010 | |
Strait, Victoria Bellinger | Postdoc | ||
Symeonidou, Eftychia | PhD Student | +4535327512 | |
Tiede, Christopher William | Postdoc | +4535328569 | |
Toft, Sune | Professor | +4535325908 | |
Trani, Alessandro | Postdoc | +4535328462 | |
Valeckas, Kostas | IT Officer | ||
Valentino, Francesco Maria | External | +4550157234 | |
Vestergaard, Marianne | Professor | +4535325909 | |
Viuho, Joonas Kari Markku | Research Assistant | ||
Watson, Darach Jafar | Associate Professor | +4535325994 | |
Widmark, Axel | Guest Researcher | +4535332491 | |
Wojtak, Radoslaw Jan | Associate Professor | ||
Zalesky, Lukas Morse | PhD Student | ||
Zwick, Lorenz | Postdoc | +4535329526 | |
d'Alessandro, Azzurra | PhD Fellow | +4535324717 |