Observational Astrophysics

这项研究计划的重点是中子星，特别是中子星。 这些大质量恒星坍缩的残余物体现了极端引力、电磁和密度的物理学，但现代望远镜却可以显著地观测到，这使得大量有趣而又高度受限的实验成为可能。这项研究有两个首要目标。 首先，我希望从天体物理学的角度来理解这些独特的天体--它们的诞生事件，它们的演化，它们的动力学，它们的种群特性，以及它们对天文学其他领域的影响，从双星演化到宇宙学。 第二，我希望利用它们的超快物理特性，以及它们令人惊讶的精确时钟般的旋转稳定性，以真正独特的方式约束基础物理。

This research proposal focuses on neutron stars, and pulsars inparticular. These collapsed remnants of massive stars embody physics ofextreme gravity, electromagnetism and density,yet are eminently observable by modern telescopes, enabling a vast arrayof interesting and highly constraining experiments.This research has two overarching goals. First, I hope to understand these unique objectsastrophysically -- their birth events, their evolution, their dynamics,their populations properties,and their implications for other areas of astronomy, ranging from binaryevolution to cosmology. Second, I wish to exploit their astonishingphysical propertiestogether with their amazingly precise clock-like rotationalstability, to constrain fundamental physics in truly unique ways.