Astrophysics

The Astrophysics department makes new discoveries that add to our knowledge of the universe with high-quality equipment and expertise. Research topics include black holes and neutron stars, astroparticle physics and gravity waves, and how objects in a galactic environment form and evolve. 

The Astrophysics department is part of the Institute for Mathematics, Astrophysics and Particle Physics (IMAPP) and research school NOVA

Highlights

Below are the highlights of Astrophysics. View all NewsEvents, Internal eventsPublicationsProjectsStaff, and Vacancies.

Foto Euclid

ESA presents first razor-sharp Euclid photos of the cosmos

The first full-colour images of the cosmos from ESA's space telescope Euclid were presented on 7 November2023. Never before has a telescope been able to take such razor-sharp astronomical images of such a large part of the sky.

Kilonova

Astronomers witness heavy elements emerge after bright gamma-ray burst

An international team of astronomers led by Andrew Levan (Radboud University, the Netherlands) has discovered heavy elements in the wake of a bright gamma-ray burst in a galaxy about 1 billion light-years away.

Open Sterrenkijkavond

Open Stargazing Evening

During the Open Stargazing Evening, you are welcome to visit our telescopes! Guided by volunteers from the Astronomical Society Nijmegen , you will receive a tour (including stargazing if weather permits), a lecture by an astronomer, and there is a Q...

Events

Open Stargazing Evening

Online Astronomy Evenings

Open Stargazing Evening

Open Stargazing Evening

Research

Research of the Astrophysics department is concentrating on the subject of high-energy astrophysics. The research topics can be summarised in three research topics.

The physics of compact objects

The department of astrophysics is working on the physics and signatures of black holes and neutron stars themselves. Compact object are typically revealed through accretion, the accumulation of matter on the compact object. We are studying these accretion flows and their associated jets together with their interaction with their environment.

Galactic ecology

Events in the Universe are never isolated, but occur in a galactic setting, where objects form, evolve and collide/merge and where radiation is emitted and propagates through. To understand extreme physics it is imperative to also understand the Galactic ecology. Our research in this field covers the following topics, but is not limited to: Stellar evolution and compact binaries, galaxy structure and evolution; the Milky Way Galaxy.

Astroparticle physics and gravitational waves

Astroparticle physics straddles the border between astronomy and particle physics and is a very diverse field that is undergoing rapid growth. The Department is active in various topics, especially in the field of gravitational waves and ultra-high energetic cosmic rays. Our research in this field covers the following topics, but is not limited to: Gravitational wave astrophysics, ultra-high-energy cosmic rays, and dark matter.

Publications

Projects

Telescope under the night sky

Africa Millimetre Telescope

Astronomers from Radboud University have teamed up with the University of Namibia to realise a millimetre-wave radio telescope in Africa, to provide an essential link in the network of telescopes around the globe known as the Event Horizon Telescope.

BlackGEM telescope array

BlackGEM telescope array

When neutron stars and black holes collide, gravitational waves are released and a hot luminous ring of gas is created. BlackGEM is a series of telescopes that helps researchers to more accurately determine where a collision has occurred.

Solar Orbiter Mission

Solar Orbiter Mission

Solar Orbiter is a mission dedicated to solar and heliospheric physics. It was selected as the first medium-class mission of ESA's Cosmic Vision 2015-2025 Programme.

Discover more projects

Radboud Radio Lab

The Radboud Radio Lab (RRL) is a team of talented researchers and engineers working in a dedicated lab space to advance the instrumentation and technologies. 

Contact

Education

Researchers of the department are involved in the Bachelor's and Master's courses in several programmes at the Faculty of Science. 

Bachelor's Physics and Astronomy

Master's Particle and Astrophysics

Interdisciplinary Master's track Gravity+

PhD 

The PhD programme at the Radboud University has an excellent track record in education in astronomy. Former PhD students succeed very well on the international job market, including the most prestigious fellowships worldwide. 

PhD vacancies

Doing a PhD at Radboud University

Public outreach

Natuurkunde student

Young & star-struck?

Become a member of the Sterrenkundeclub Radboud, a club for young people interested in astronomy!

Sterrenkundeclub Radboud
Open Sterrenkijkavond

Lectures & Excursions

Join lectures from astronomers or visit the telescopes! View the events for all audiences.

Lectures & Excursions

Contact information

Location

Huygens building

Heyendaalseweg 135
6525AJ Nijmegen
024-3652804
Postal address
Postbus 9010
6500GL NIJMEGEN