2026 Project Description

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Probing Star Forming Processes in Action 2026

Keywords:

Supervisors

Hsien Shang
Find out more about supervisors on ASIAA website

Task Description and Goals

The origins of planetary systems like our own have intrigued generations to investigate the underlying astrophysical mechanisms of formation. With the recent advances in observational facilities and high-performance computing capabilities, we enter an unprecedented era leaping toward a better understanding of how sun-like stars form in high spatial and temporal resolution.

We study young stellar objects and their formation processes using theoretical, computational, and observational methods--where theory meets observation. We develop state-of-the-art simulation codes and use high-performance computing techniques to model complex astrophysical processes. We develop diagnostic approaches in hydrodynamics, magnetohydrodynamics, radiative transfer, and chemical evolution modeling of the intricate dynamical evolution. In particular, we focus on the active physical processes operating simultaneously with the ongoing formation and evolution of the envelopes, protoplanetary disks, and powerful jets and outflows occurring in the earliest phases of the lifetimes of sun-like stars.

For more details, please visit our group site: CHARMS Group Page.

We look for highly motivated students interested in foundational physics and astrophysics, numerical methods, computational and analytical tools, code development techniques, radiative diagnostics, and their applications to star-formation problems that are under active investigation and development. Depending on the participating students' background knowledge and experience, various hands-on experiences in code development, numerical simulation, modeling, or observational diagnostic comparisons could be arranged. Starting in 2025, we will incorporate machine learning and AI-accelerated automation into our development pipelines.

Are you fascinated by the birth of stars and planetary systems? Join us in unraveling the mysteries of stellar formation using cutting-edge computational methods, theories, and observational techniques. You will be exploring the frontiers of astrophysical research from multidisciplinary perspectives.

Required Background

1. Good working knowledge of programming languages, in Python or C/C++
2. Strong college-level physics, chemistry, applied mathematics, or numerical methods background is a prerequisite.
3. Fluency in English--reading, writing, and oral communication--is required.
4. Knowledge and usage of interactive visualization software and tools Knowledge of Machine Learning or AI Techniques
5. Passion, diligence, and curiosity