Research
Cosmic Ecosystems
KIPAC researchers study how galaxies form and evolve within the cosmic web—from the interstellar medium and star formation inside galaxies to satellite systems, groups, and massive clusters. They combine observations, simulations, and theory to connect galaxies to dark matter halos and to understand how baryons, feedback, magnetic fields, and enrichment shape galaxies across time.
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Physics of the Universe
KIPAC researchers investigate the physics that shapes the origins, evolution, and fate of the Universe. They develop models of the early Universe, design experiments and analyses to probe dark matter and dark energy, and use precision measurements—from the CMB to galaxy surveys and lensing—to test gravity and search for signatures of new physics.
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Extreme Astrophysics
KIPAC researchers explore black holes, neutron stars, and relativistic plasmas—the engines of jets, bursts, and the highest-energy emission in the Universe. They combine multiwavelength and time-domain observations with theory, simulations, and instrumentation across multiple messengers—light, particles, and gravitational waves—to reveal what happens near event horizons and to probe dense matter, strong gravity, and particle acceleration.
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Solar, Stellar, and Planetary Astrophysics
KIPAC researchers study the linked evolution of stars and planetary systems, from star formation in magnetized gas to exoplanets, disks, and the Sun’s influence on the heliosphere and Earth. They model stellar magnetism and variability, develop techniques to characterize planetary systems, and collaborate across Stanford to connect exoplanet observations to planetary interiors, atmospheres, and climate.
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