Research Overview

The KPA coordinates research between different disciplines of astrophysics (observations, theoretical, and laboratory astrophysics as well as detector and instrumentation development), geophysics, applied mathematics, computer science and digital humanities. We explore the Universe using a wide range of data --- from observations, simulations, and laboratory experiments to theoretical models, as well as text, language and images from open-access publications. Up to now, typically, only a subset of these different data is used for analysis and discovery. In the KPA, we aim to combine all these heterogeneous data to reveal both the known unknowns and unexpected discoveries.

In particular, we aim to establish a new pillar of  ‘Astroinformatics’ in Cologne, that you can read about here:

Pillars I & II. Observational Astronomy and Instrumentation

Through its key role in developing instrumentation for international sub-millimeter and infrared observatories, such as the ground-based telescope KOSMA, the HIFI instrument for the space mission Herschel, and the GREAT instrument for the stratospheric airborne observatory SOFIA, the Institute for Astrophysics has been instrumental in advancing astrophysical research. Looking ahead, the KPA will be operating the new telescope CCAT/FYST, which is currently being built at a uniquely high elevation in Chile. In particular, we are building the CCAT first-light instrument CHAI and contribute to the first-light instrument METIS to be installed at the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), the new flagship of the European Southern Observatory (ESO). We also contribute to the operation of the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) by operating the German ALMA Regional Centre together with the University of Bonn.

Pillar III. Laboratory Spectroscopy:

Laboratory spectroscopy is essential to interdisciplinary astrophysics, providing the molecular and atomic data necessary to interpret complex astronomical spectra. Cologne plays a pivotal role in this field through its development and maintenance of the Cologne Database for Molecular Spectroscopy (CDMS), the world’s leading comprehensive spectral line catalog. This integration of laboratory physics, chemistry, and astronomy not only enriches our understanding of the universe’s molecular composition, but also establishes Cologne as a leading centre for astrochemical research worldwide. A recent breakthrough has been the detailed study of ions, key players in astrochemistry that drive many fundamental chemical reactions in space. While many ions are well characterised, many key species have long been missing from laboratory and astronomical data. By recording precise laboratory spectra of these ions, Cologne researchers enable their identification in the interstellar medium. Notably, the discovery of new small hydrocarbon ions through this work has provided crucial insights, as these ions serve as cornerstones of interstellar chemistry and influence the formation of complex organic molecules in space. Through the KPA and EXC Dynaverse, Laboratory Astrophysics will be further strengthened by advancing toward the establishment of a W3 professorship.

Pillar IV. Theory and Computation:

Exascale computing promises transformative advances in numerical simulations by enabling unprecedented spatial resolution – necessary to understand the understand the physics of star and galaxy formation, but so far unachievable due to the high computational cost. However, restructuring and adapting existing codes to harness this power is a highly complex and non-trivial challenge. With the first European exascale computing cluster being installed at Forschungszentrum Jülich (with whom we collaborate), researchers in Cologne were already able to gain first-hand experience with the new hardware. The challenges and opportunities provided by the latest hardware technologies can only be met by the interdisciplinary collaboration between physics, computer science, and applied mathematics enabled by the KPA “Dynamics of the Universe”.

Leveraging the power of exascale computing will enable us to bring theoretical astrophysics even closer to the real world, thereby performing sophisticated comparisons of simulations and observations. The Shared Universe Engine (SUE), a unique virtual platform for expert level research and data science will be developed within the Excellence Cluster “Our Dynamic Universe” and its KPA, thereby facilitating and intensifying the collaboration between observers and theorists within the KPA but similarly within international collaborations. The SUE will also be a hub for public outreach and citizen science as well as teacher education. It will enable an early engagement of pupils and students with state-of-the-art astrophysical topics.

Pillar V. Astroinformatics:

While recent advancements in the field of astronomy have largely centered around telescope and instrumentation development — extending observational capabilities across diverse frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum and probing ever deeper into space — we are now entering a transformative era driven by big data. This shift marks the rise of Astroinformatics, a new and increasingly vital discipline at the intersection of astronomy, data science, and physics. As we gather unprecedented volumes of observational data, the ability to extract meaningful insights hinges on sophisticated data mining techniques, deeply informed by physical principles. Astroinformatics is no longer a peripheral tool; it is becoming fundamental to future astronomical discovery. Recognising this shift, EXC Dynaverse positions Astroinformatics as one of its central pillars, aiming not only to incorporate but to actively advance the field. Dynaverse envisions itself as a key player in shaping the future of data-driven astronomy. A key step in this direction is Cologne's leading role in the CCAT project, particularly through the CHAI instrument (as mentioned above), which will open new access to the sub-mm window for exploring both nearby star-forming regions and galaxies in the early universe. This effort is anchored by the establishment of the CCAT Data Center at the IT Center Cologne (ITCC), marking our strategic entry point into the era of data-intensive astronomy.