Gravitational Physics

Gravitational Physics from Cardiff University, is a research area within which you can focus your studies as part of our suite of Physics and Astronomy research programmes (MPhil, PhD).

The Gravitational Physics Group is one of the largest research groups in the School of Physics and Astronomy.Gravitational Physics degree is offered at Cardiff University ..

Key Facts

The programme focuses on the detection and study of gravitational waves from astrophysical systems such as black-hole and neutron-star binaries, supernovae, and gamma-ray bursts. Group members are also leaders in the field of numerical relativity, simulating collisions of black holes using large computer clusters.

Other theoretical research focuses on quantum processes in the early Universe, cosmic microwave and gravitational wave backgrounds, the formation, evolution and nature of largescale structure in the Universe, and alternative formulations of general relativity. We have developed an on-line game called Black Hole Hunter to illustrate how we look for gravitational wave signals from merging black hole binaries.

The challenge is to listen to a set of audio tracks and identify the one containing the signal from a black hole merger.

Active research projects include:

• Numerical modelling of black hole binaries

• Searches for gravitational waves from black hole and neutron star mergers

• Multi-messenger astronomy with gravitational waves, gamma ray bursts, supernovae

• Astrophysical implications of gravitational wave observations

• Observational tests of general relativity

• Cosmography with gravitational wave observations of compact binary mergers

• Developing the science case for next generation of ground-based, underground and space-based gravitational wave detectors