Observational Astrophysics

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This research proposal focuses on neutron stars, and pulsars in particular. These collapsed remnants of massive stars embody physics of extreme gravity, electromagnetism and density, yet are eminently observable by modern telescopes, enabling a vast array of interesting and highly constraining experiments. This research has two overarching goals. First, I hope to understand these unique objects astrophysically -- their birth events, their evolution, their dynamics, their populations properties, and their implications for other areas of astronomy, ranging from binary evolution to cosmology. Second, I wish to exploit their astonishing physical properties together with their amazingly precise clock-like rotational stability, to constrain fundamental physics in truly unique ways.