Our research is focused on observational astrophysics:
* Cosmic transients and explosions:
Studying the catastrophic deaths of stars, utilizing the most advanced robotic
wide-field sky surveys, world-wide ground and space-based facilities.
Huge amounts of energy are released within hours in events so bright they are seen from the edge of the
Universe. The resulting extreme physical conditions involve huge densities, pressures and temperatures, strong magnetic
fields, nuclear and high energy particle reactions, and strong relativistic effects (special and general). These topics
are at the forefront of research in high energy particle astrophysics and gravity theories, with diverse implications
from the sources of life to cosmology.
* Instrumentation:
Design and construction of astronomical instruments and instrumental concepts.
Among our instrumental projects:
The Weizmann Fast Astronomical Survey Telescope (W-FAST)
Schmidt telescope designed to search for and characterize small bodies in the Kuiper belt and Oort cloud;
the Large Array Survey Telescope (LAST)
for conducting a fast cadence optical survey of the sky;
the Multi aperture spectroscopic system (MAST) using multiple telescopes coupled with a novel system of optical fibers to a custom spectrograph;
high throughput spectrographs for large facilities;
imaging multiplexer prototypes and a wide-field (>200 squared degrees) UV space explorer, the Ultraviolet Transient Astronomy Satellite (ULTRASAT).
We are currently building our new observatory in Neot Smadar.
* Astronomical algorithms:
Development of efficient and optimal algorithms for research. Examples include: the fast de-dispersion measure
transform, streak detection using the fast Radon transform, image coaddition and subtraction.
Avishay Gal-Yam, PI
Working on cosmic explosions, their origins, physics, and how they shape our Universe, from elements to form planets, to the geometry and final fate of the cosmos.
Studying various types of core-collapse SNe, with emphasis on 'Infant SNe' and 'Flash-spectroscopy' events.
Developing and managing the TNS
and WISeREP.
Project scientist of ULTRASAT, a wide-field UV space telescope that will study the hot transient universe.
In addition, I study the cold exploanet demographics, planet host activity, planets around white dwarfs and stellar-mass Galactic black-holes.
David Polishook, Scientific Director of the WIS Observatories
Managing the construction and operation of Weizmann's new astronomical endeavors: LAST, and W-FAST.
Expert in observational research of asteroids (photometry and spectroscopy).
Leading ULTRASAT's Solar System WG, and observational campaigns to study near-Earth asteroid Apophis. Teaches "astronomy for all" course.
Involved with outreach activity and media appearance.
Studying white dwarfs and their immediate surroundings: stellar, substellar, and stellar-remnant companions, planets, and planetary debris.
Motivated by related questions, such as the type-Ia supernova progenitor problem, and the potential existence of habitable planets around white dwarfs.
Studying light curve structures of infant Type II SNe and their early spectra, looking for Flash Ionization features.
Working on the optical assembly of SoXs, the next spectrograph of the NTT in Chile.
Working on Core-Collapse Supernovae (CCSN) in non-star-forming and remote environments (such as SN 2016hil),
early time UV light curves modeling of CCSN, and involved in the design and characterization of the LAST-spec fiber feed.
Working on a site survey for the (LAST) observatory in southern Israel:
conducting and analyzing long-term measurements of astronomical seeing, brightness, and meteorological conditions at the site.
Working on software for observatory control, data acquisition and analysis for the W-FAST telescope.
Interested in Solar System occultation surveys, variable stars and fast transients.
Working on Baryon Acoustic Oscillations and star/galaxy separation in large galaxy surveys (such as the Dark Energy Survey).
Investigating the potential of studying exoplanetary systems with the ULTRASAT mission.
Sladjana knezevic, Former Post-Doc, Benozio fellow
Working on high resolution spectro-photometric imaging of Balmer-dominated shocks around the remnants of supernovae and novae with the focus on shock kinematics and precursors.
Studied stripped interacting core collapse SNe (Type Ibn) and worked on relative astrometry.
Yifat Dzigan, Former Post-Doc
Conducted and analyzed the first all-sky high resolution H-alpha survey, with emphasis on measuring the SFR in the local universe.
Assaf Sternberg, Former Post-Doc
Worked on type Ia supernovae, mainly the analysis of high resolution spectra in search for evidence of circumstellar material that might shed some light on the progenitor system of this type of supernova.
Worked on core collapse supernovae (especially of type IIn) and gamma ray bursts, including their physical origins, radiation mechanisms, classifications and cosmological applications.
Hagai Perets, Former Post-Doc
Worked on SN 2005E as a part of a new class of faint and fast Ca-rich SNe.
Investigated the core collapse supernova population using the CCCP and PTF surveys in order to better classify their diversity and constrain their progenitors.
Working at the Wise Observatory, assisting with PTF followup. Main research field is AGNs as well as transiting phenomenon such as SNe, GRBs, and gravitational microlensing events.
Racah Institute of Physics Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Sanja Lazarevic, Visitor
Department of Astronomy Faculty of Mathematics University of Belgrade
Adam B. Becker, Visitor
Department of Astronomy University of California Berkeley, CA
Raphael Scheps, Visitor
King's College University of Cambridge
Stefan Andjelkovic, Visitor
Faculty of Physics University of Belgrade
Arazi Pinhas, Visitor
Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Pennsylvania and University of Oxford
Nir Magrafta, Visitor
Atid High School for Science
Pavan Bilgi, Visitor
Department of Astronomy California Institute of Technology
.
News
We encourage outstanding students who are interested in observational astrophysics and in participating in
cutting edge projects and international collaborations to contact us and apply for graduate studies.
Post-docs interested in joining our group are clearly most welcome to contact as well.
