Theoretical Astrophysics Center

The Theoretical Astrophysics Center (TAC) brings together faculty, postdoctoral scholars and students in a collaborative, interactive environment to study fundamental questions about the Universe.

TAC members use quantitative theory to develop models to explain and predict phenomena studied by astronomical observations. These models include both analytic and numerical approaches. The theoretical questions addressed by TAC members include the origin and evolution of the Universe at large, the study of galaxy formation and evolution, the formation and evolution of stars and planets (including those like Earth), and exotic phenomena associated with the intense gravitational fields that arise in collapsed objects (neutron stars and black holes).

The breadth of topics covered under the umbrella of "astrophysics" involves practitioners from a wide range of disciplines, including chemistry, physics, geology and geophysics, as well as mathematics, statistics and computer science - natural systems don't respect human
disciplinary divisions! The TAC takes advantage of Berkeley's strengths in all of these fields by providing an integrative focus for research directed toward the understanding phenomena in the Universe.