Project

This project aims to create the first database of the simulated stellar content of the Universe, from the earliest stars to the most exotic black hole binaries. This comprehensive stellar library will be a world-wide scientific resource for astronomers, and an educational asset for the public. With a state-of-the-art suite of computational tools, we can calculate the physical properties of individual stars, evolve them in time, and track how they interact with each other dynamically as they age. With this library of stellar populations that spans the known range of star formation histories and initial elemental abundances, it is possible to tackle fundamental science questions that have been out of reach in general relativity, astronomy, and cosmology. As just a few examples: we can characterize the population of supernova progenitor stars that have been used to discover the mysterious dark energy that accelerates the expansion of the Universe; we can calculate how the interstellar medium is enriched with the elements that are crucial in shaping life on Earth and perhaps beyond; we can model the formation of the first black holes that seeded the supermassive black holes that lurk at the center of nearly every galaxy; and we can predict the number of neutron stars and black holes that strongly emit gravitational waves, and are at the heart of research into gamma-ray bursts, the most energetic explosions known-to-date. The data that we create can be mined not only to match current observations, but to predict how the sky will appear to future astronomical observatories as new windows to the Universe open. In order to deal with such large quantities of data, we plan to train a new generation of experts in data mining, visualization, and computation – skills that easily transfer to many other industries, from medicine to finance. Altogether, this proposal will allow us to create a strong and highly visible research group; an independent computational center that trains a new cohort of highly educated students, and communicates with the public via innovative science venues; and a fresh look at Universe.