Featured Researcher: Harald Pfeiffer

Posted on Tuesday, March 16th, 2010
Dr. Harald Pfeiffer

Dr. Harald Pfeiffer

Dr. Harald Pfeiffer, Canada Research Chair in Numerical Relativity and Gravitational Wave Astrophysics, is researching gravitational wave prediction.

Gravity is a fundamental force of nature governed by Einstein’s equations of general relativity. Einstein’s theory can be used to predict the existence of gravitational waves, otherwise known as ripples in space-time. These ripples travel at the speed of light and are generated when black holes or neutron stars collide in supernovae, or even in the big bang itself.

Direct observation of gravitational waves will be one of the major scientific milestones of the 21st century, and major detectors in the United States are poised to make this breakthrough. But their success depends on the ability to predict such waves through computer calculations, because knowing what to look for makes these waves much easier to find.

Dr. Harald Pfeiffer, Canada Research Chair in Numerical Relativity and Gravitational Wave Astrophysics, is researching gravitational wave prediction. Through simulations, his work investigates gravity in the most extreme circumstances—when black holes and neutron stars collide, or when matter falls into a black hole.

Pfeiffer’s research not only helps us locate black holes and neutron stars in the universe and determine their size, but his calculations also teach us how space-time behaves when it is warped by black holes.

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Comments - 5 Comments

  1. Mar 20, 10 at 2:40 am, Muhammad Junaid Chughtai said:

    hi,
    Dear Mr Pfeiffer,
    i was searching into the web portal of UoT but didnt find a proper way to communicate.
    i m from Pakistan and recently completed my MBA with 18 years of education n now dieing to get start my PHD. so can u plz guide me in that favor.
    Hope to c a kind response from ur side.

    thanks

    regards

    Muhammad Junaid Chughtai
    092-345-6994420

  2. Apr 15, 10 at 11:31 am, khalid khaboor said:

    To the presence of Professor
    I am one of the students who are studying physics at the University of Yarmouk Jordanian
    I am a very Amahtmin subject of the transportation of objects by converting mass to energy, transport and re-assembled
    And Knmodua successful in theory but there is a problem which is that the body loses 95% of the mass, the opposite is supposed to lose only 5% of drawing subject if retained by your attention Me
    khalid_khaboor@yahoo.com

  3. Feb 9, 11 at 4:43 pm, willie said:

    Dearest Dr. Pfeiffer,
    I have growth on my body that itch. I look for some cream but there r so many. Can you advice me?

  4. May 25, 11 at 9:43 am, Muhammad Younas said:

    Jobs Opportunities

  5. May 25, 11 at 9:53 am, Muhammad Usman said:

    Job Opportunities

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