This is an exciting time in the scientific investigation of the universe and its constituents. The study of the very large has joined the study of the very small as a source of fundamental answers — and deep mysteries — in physics and astronomy.

On the smallest scales, cosmic rays interact with Earth’s atmosphere at energies far exceeding what our particle accelerators can achieve. Yet, we do not fully understand the mechanism of these accelerations — in gamma-ray bursts, supernovae, and various stellar remnants.

On intermediate scales, white dwarf stars, neutron stars, and black holes tantalize us. These ultra-dense “compact objects” can produce jets of matter and energy that may be responsible for the ubiquitous cosmic rays and are laboratories for other “extreme” physics.

On cosmic scales, the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy deeply challenge us. Dark matter binds the larger cosmic constituents—galaxies and galaxy clusters—while dark energy drives galaxies and clusters apart with ever-greater speed.

Finally, all these studies come together to inform our understanding of structure and evolution on the grandest scale. Exquisitely careful analysis of the microwave background reveals deep secrets of the early universe -- in the period just after the Big Bang.

KIPAC was founded in 2003 to explore these new fronts and challenges in astrophysics and cosmology.  We bring the power of theory, computation, experiments, and observations to bear on these questions. We are a broad community of roughly 200 scientists with diverse interests in astrophysics and cosmology. Our efforts are organized as the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology, or KIPAC, one of 19 independent laboratories, centers, and institutes of Stanford University. Initiated with a generous grant from Fred Kavli and The Kavli Foundation, KIPAC is housed at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and in the Physics & Astrophysics and Varian Physics buildings on the Stanford campus. The institute is funded in part by Stanford University and the United States Department of Energy.