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Astrophysics

Read more at: About the group
Astrophysics group photo October 2024

About the group

The group carries out research into a wide range of topics involving astrophysical fluid dynamics and nonlinear dynamics. Specific astrophysical interests include the dynamics of astrophysical discs, planetary formation and evolution, extrasolar planetary systems and stellar magnetohydrodynamics (particularly dynamo theory, magnetoconvection and the physics of sunspots).

Read more at: News and events

News and events

(Jan 2026) Welcome to new PhD student, Marianna Szambelan.
 
(Oct 2025) Well done to Dr Matthew Roberts who successfully defended his PhD thesis
 
(Oct 2025) Congratulations to Giulio del Zanna on his promotion to Research Professor.
 
(Oct 2025) Our group welcomes Deniz Akansoy, a new PhD student.
 
(July 2025) Congratulations to Helen Mason on the award of the 2025 

European Solar Physics Division Kees Zwaan Inspirational Prize for the SunSpaceArt project.

 
(May 2025) Congratulations to Giulio del Zanna on the funding of an STFC Large Award for the Solar Atmospheric Modelling Suite in collaboration with Exeter, Warwick and Sheffield.
 
Read more at: Vacancies

Vacancies

Applications are invited for a Research Associate in Astrophysical Discs and Exoplanets. 

Applications are welcomed for PhD studentships in the Astrophysics group, though the admission round for 2026 is now closed.

Numerous opportunities exist for research fellowships that can be held in, or in association with, the Astrophysics Group.

Read more at: PhD opportunties

PhD opportunties

The deadline is now passed for PhD applications with an October 2026 start. However, we are happy to discuss applications for the following round

Read more at: Astrophysical dynamics

Astrophysical dynamics

Discs are ubiquitous in astrophysics and participate in some of its most important processes. Most, but not all, feed a central mass: by facilitating the transfer of angular momentum, they permit the accretion of material that would otherwise stay in orbit. As a consequence, discs are essential to star, planet and satellite formation. They also regulate the growth of supermassive black holes and thus indirectly influence galactic structure and the intra-cluster medium.

Read more at: Atomic astrophysics

Atomic astrophysics

Atomic physics plays a key role in astrophysics as astronomers' only information about a particular object comes through the light that it emits, and this light arises through atomic transitions. The main astronomical body that we study is the Sun and, in particular, the hot atmosphere of the Sun called the corona. The best parts of the electromagnetic spectrum to study the corona are the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and X-rays.

 

Recent Publications

Ian Philip Grant (1930–2025): A Legacy in Relativistic Atomic Physics
G Del Zanna
– Atoms
(2026)
14,
45
(doi: 10.3390/atoms14060045)
$αβq_\mathrm{th}$-mapping of planet-induced density wave damping in protoplanetary discs
AJ Cordwell, RR Rafikov
(2026)
(link to publication)
The effect of dust on vortices I: laminar models
N Magnan, HN Latter
– Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
(2026)
549,
stag693
(doi: 10.1093/mnras/stag693)
On the collimation properties of jets with finite Poynting flux launched from Keplerian accretion discs
T Jannaud, J Ferreira, C Zanni
– Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
(2026)
(doi: 10.48550/arxiv.2603.27829)
Conservation of magnetic-helicity fluctuations due to spatial decorrelation of fluxes in decaying MHD turbulence
JKJ Hew, DN Hosking, C Federrath, JR Beattie, N Kriel
– Journal of Plasma Physics
(2026)
92,
e38
(doi: 10.1017/s0022377826101275)

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Research at Cambridge