Gravitational Lensing, Interferometry, and Education

Winn, Joshua N, Cambridge MA

Investigators

Abstract

Prop: AST-0104347 PI: Winn, Joshua Dr. Winn is awarded an NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowship to carry out a program of research, education, and public outreach at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. His research program will apply the phenomenon of gravitational lensing and the techniques of radio and optical interferometry to problems in cosmology and galactic structure. Using gravitationally lensed quasars, he will measure the current expansion rate of the Universe, and will test whether this expansion rate is accelerating. In a third project, he will attempt to find and study central black holes in distant galaxies. He also plans to contribute to the technical development of optical interferometry and its application to study gravitational lensing by compact dark objects in our Galaxy. His educational and public outreach program includes teaching several undergraduate courses and continuing to write articles about science and science policy for the public. ***