Head: François Rincon
Deputy: Pierrick Martin
Research themes
Our research is articulated around four main axes combining our group members’ scientific and technical expertise:
- Astrophysics of Compact Objects
- Cosmology and fundamental physics
- Galaxies & Large-scale structure
- Particle acceleration and explosive phenomena
We also do research on scientific themes transverse to different IRAP groups and other laboratories in Toulouse (L2IT), such as gravitational waves and astrophysical plasmas.
We develop and use a large range of methodologies for astrophysical research: ground and space-based instrumentation, observations and data analysis across the electromagnetic spectrum, numerical modelling and methods (Machine Learning, High Performance Computing), theory.
A detailed list of our current group members is available below. You are welcome to contact us if you are interested in collaborations or opportunities to join us at IRAP.
Astrophysics of compact objects
Our group is committed to understanding the extreme physics associated with compact objects. White dwarfs, neutron stars or even black holes are associated with some of the most violent phenomena in the universe. Their extreme nature (density, gravitational field, magnetic field) make them unique laboratories for testing general relativity or equations of state for exotic matter such as strange quarks or kaons. In their immediate environment, compact objects are also often associated with complex mechanisms of matter accretion, ejection, emission and particle acceleration that are still poorly understood, but paradoxically make them extremely luminous objects. Also on a larger scale, compact objects strongly influence their environment, as in the core of globular clusters, for example. Our group is interested in these questions, combining both analytical and numerical modeling work (radiative and dynamical MHD/plasma processes) as well as observations with the ATCA, VLA, MeerKAT, VLT telescopes and the Fermi, HST, INTEGRAL, RXTE, Swift, XMM-Newton, Chandra and Nustar space missions. It also expects a lot from future projects like CTA, SVOM, SKA and Athena in which its members are involved.
Cosmology and fundamental physics
Astronomy is a privileged, and sometimes unique way, of studying fundamental physics phenomena: the nature and characteristics of dark matter, theories of gravitation, the nature and origin of gravitational acceleration (dark energy) on the scale of the universe, the nature of the quantum vacuum, physics of the primordial universe etc. Observation, modelling and theoretical interpretation all contribute to research in these areas, which relate to fundamental physics, astrophysics and cosmology at the same time. Our group at IRAP is engaging in research in cosmology and fundamental physics from an instrumental and observational point of view (Euclid, XMM, Planck, LiteBird, etc.), using modelling of astrophysical objects (Gamma Ray Bursts, Clusters of galaxies, cosmic backgrounds, supernovae distances, etc.), by the characterisation and determination of cosmological parameters, and by fundamental physics approaches (quantum vacuum, generalized dark matter, modified gravitation, magnetic fields, etc.).
Galaxies and large structures
The understanding of the evolution of the Universe on large-scales, from primordial fluctuations of the cosmic microwave background to galaxies within large structures such as clusters of galaxies, constitutes a major challenge of modern astrophysics. Many key questions in this area are currently at the center of very controversial debates: when and how did the first galaxies appear? What physical mechanisms govern the evolution of galaxies from the earliest ages to the present day? What are the processes and mechanisms of structuring the Universe on large scales ? What are the accretion/ejection mechanisms around massive black holes and their role in this evolution? The answer to these questions is based on observations and modeling of the structure, kinematics and dynamics at different scales. GAHEC researchers carry out ambitious research programs on these problems, in particular through the use of large multi-wavelength readings for the study of the formation and evolution of galaxies, clusters of galaxies and large structures of the cosmic web, but also thanks to the physical and numerical modeling of complex radiative and dynamic astrophysical processes (hydro and magneto-hydrodynamic turbulence). Our efforts also involve key participations in the development of new focal instruments for the largest telescopes on the ground and in space, and are supported at the national level by several ANR funds as well as by the National Cosmology & Galaxies Program. Our research efforts are currently based on the scientific exploitation of the XMM-Newton, VLT, CFHT, HST, ALMA, MUSE/VLT telescopes as well as on the instrumental and scientific preparation of future missions, including: Harmoni/E-ELT Mosaic/E-ELT, EUCLID, and Athena.
Particle acceleration and explosive phenomena
Our group is interested in understanding the phenomena of particle acceleration in the Universe, their impact on the environment and on the galactic and cosmological explosive phenomena that underlie their origin. Novae, supernovae and gamma-ray bursts, their interstellar remnants and diffuse emissions resulting from the interactions of particles with the interstellar medium are at the center of our studies. For example, gamma-ray radiation from explosions of novae, supernovae, and gamma-ray bursts tell us about the physics of these explosions. The interaction of the shock waves produced during these explosions with the interstellar medium is a favorable site for the acceleration of particles that we study at high energy. This emission also informs us about the propagation of particles in the interstellar medium, and allows us to study their impact on their environment. Our group works on these questions combining both analytical and numerical modeling work (shocks, kinetic transport and acceleration processes), as well as instrumental developments and observations, in particular Fermi, INTEGRAL, Swift, TAROT and XMM-Newton. We are also involved in future projects such as SKA, Athena, and in particular CTA and SVOM currently in the development phase at IRAP, with strong synergies with gravitational wave and neutrino detectors.
Group members
| Kempf Jean, Phd student | |
| Abdollahi Soheila, Postdoc | Klotz Alain, Researcher |
| Amato Roberta, Postdoc | Knodlseder Jurgen, Researcher |
| Astiasarain Xan, Phd student | Koechlin Laurent, Researcher |
| Atteia Jean-Luc, Researcher | Lamas Lanza, Miguel, Phd student |
| Banday Anthony, Researcher | Lamine Brahim, Researcher |
| Barret Didier, Researcher | Le Borgne Jean-François, Researcher (emeritus) |
| Beaumont Sophie, Phd student | Malet Isabelle, Researcher |
| Blanchard Alain, Researcher | Malzac Julien, Researcher |
| Boone Frederic, Researcher | Martin Pierrick, Researcher |
| Cabanac Rémi, Researcher | Mercier Wilfried, Phd student |
| Castellani Florent, Phd student | Molin Alexeï, Phd student |
| Clerc Nicolas, Researcher | Moultaka Jihane, Researcher |
| Contini Thierry, Researcher | Moutier Frederic, Researcher |
| Coriat Mickael, Researcher | Nouvel de la Flèche Alix, Phd student |
| Delpech Rémi, Phd student | Olive Jean-Francois, Researcher |
| Dezalay Jean-Pascal, Researcher | Pajot Francois, Researcher |
| Dournac Fabien, Phd student | Perez Jose-Philippe, Researcher (emeritus) |
| Dupays Arnaud, Researcher | Pointecouteau Etienne, Researcher |
| Dupourqué Simon, Phd student | Quintin Erwan, Phd student |
| Ferrière Katia, Researcher | Rincon Francois, Researcher |
| Foustoul Vincent, Phd student | Sarron Florian, Postdoc |
| Giard Martin, Researcher | Shojaei Fateme, Phd student |
| Godet Olivier, Researcher | Soucail Genevieve, Researcher |
| Gonzalez Caniulef Denis, Postdoc | Tibaldo Luigi, Researcher |
| Guillot Sebastien, Researcher | Tranin Hugo, Phd student |
| Gupta Maitrayee, Postdoc | Tutusaus Isaac, Researcher |
| Jean Pierre, Researcher | Von Ballmoos Peter, Researcher |
| Hughes Annie, Researcher | Webb Natalie, Researcher |
| Kammoun Elias, Postdoc | Yassine Manal, Postdoc |
GAHEC News
News
One month after lift-off, the Euclid mission reveals its first observations
One month after Euclid’s launch, the European Space Agency (ESA), in collaboration with the Euclid consortium, unveils the first observations captured by the satellite as it completes its in-flight acceptance […]
News
SVOM tank relocation
The SVOM/Eclairs test facility – a 3-tonne instrumented tank – was moved from CNES to IRAP on June 26, 2023. The white hall had to be prepared to accommodate this […]
News
The most powerful quasar of the last 9 billion years observed in X-rays
Research led by Elias Kammoun, a post-doctoral fellow at the Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie (Université Paul Sabatier de Toulouse, CNRS and CNES), has revealed the existence of […]
News
Euclid Mission: Unlocking the mysteries of the Universe
The Euclid satellite, to be launched in July 2023, will attempt to unlock the secrets of the Universe by exploring the composition and evolution of the dark Universe. For 6 […]
News
Two French instruments on the way to China
SVOM is a Franco-Chinese space mission dedicated to the study of the transient sky with a particular interest in gamma-ray bursts. SVOM will work in synergy with ground-based gravitational wave […]
News
F-CELT: an EquipEx+ for the French contribution to the Extremely Large Telescope instruments
In 2027, the largest optical telescope ever built will see its first light at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in the Atacama Desert in Chile. Named ELT, for Extremely Large […]
GAHEC Projects
ATHENA X-IFU
COSI
NectarCam / CTA
GAHEC Observation service
Cherenkov Telescope Array
ESO-ELT/HARMONI
ESO-ELT/MOSAIC
EUCLID
EUCLID – Survey
SKATE
X-IFU / ATHENA
