Fionntán Callan

Current research project

Supernovae: Theoretical Modelling of Light Curves and Spectra

My research mainly involves using the radiative transfer code ARTIS (Applied Radiative Transfer In Supernovae) in order to theoretically model the light curves, spectra and other properties of type Ia supernovae. In addition to this I also use the radiative transfer code TARDIS (Temperature And Radiative Diffusion In Supernovae) which can be used for more rapid spectral modelling of supernovae.  The work will also involve working on the development of the ARTIS code, specifically improving the microphysics within the code to make it more physically accurate. The overall aim of the project is to improve the understanding of type Ia supernovae and their progenitor systems by using radiative transfer codes to theoretically model them.

Biography

I started my PhD within the Astrophysics Research Centre at Queen’s in October 2019. I also completed my Masters degree in Physics at Queens’s. My Masters research project involved theoretical modelling of type Ia supernovae and this led me to apply for a PhD in this area of research at Queens’s. 

Research interests

• Radiative Transfer

• Theoretical Modelling of Supernovae

• Type Ia supernovae,