Our group strives to uncover the basic physics of star formation, planetary systems, active galactic nuclei, the birth of stars and galaxies of the early universe, the characteristics of the light they emit, formation and evolution of galaxies and black holes. We tackle many of the problems of modern astrophysics by solving equations of relativistic radiation hydrodynamics, radiation transport, and gravitational dynamics, which faithfully capture the interaction of light with matter and the complex gravitational interactions, so crucial in the study of the formation and evolution of stars, galaxies, and black holes. To find solutions to the complicated system of equations that describe multi-component celestial bodies and turbulent flow, we conduct large-scale numerical simulations, using, amongst others, taylor-made supercomputers at the Center for Computational Sciences.

## Featured Articles

### 3-dimensional radiative transfer simulations including diffuse photons on GPUs (Part 1)

Abstract Accurately solving the equations of radiative transfer for the radiation from stars and the interstellar medium is vital to underestanding the physics governing the interstellar medium, galaxy formation and evolution, and large-scale structure. Light from stars is absorbed and attenuated by neutral gas, but ultra-violet photons and those beyond...

## Formation of Astrophysical Objects 2019

This workshop aims to provide an opportunity to exchange views and share information about the current status of observations and theoretical research on a wide range of aspects concerning the formation of astronomical objects. Moreover, it also serves as interim report by students in our research group who are working on dissertations.

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#### Theoretical and Observational Astrophysics Joint New Members BBQ

On the 3rd of May 2018, the Theoretical Astrophysics and the Observational Astrophysics groups organized a barbeque...

#### 38th National High School Cultural Festival in Ibaraki "Ibaraki Sobun 2014"

On July 28, 2014, Yu Komatsu was interviewed by students of the newspaper division of the 38th...

#### Three JSPS 2014 Research Fellowships for Young Scientists

From left to right: Takanobu Kirihara, Yu Komatsu, Hiroyuki Suzuki. Congratulations to the three doctoral students in...

#### Computing the Universe: from Intergalactic to Interstellar Medium

This talk will highlight some progress made based on our efforts of computing the universe, in order...

#### Probing dust aggregate structure in protoplanetary disks by millimeter-wave polarization

Dust coagulation in protoplanetary disks is the first step of planetesimal formation. However, a pathway from dust...

The formation of the first stars after the big bang is one of the most important outstanding...

#### A series of "most distant" results

Recently, using Subaru and ALMA, we were able to make a series of press releases entitled “most...

#### New insights into the formation of massive galaxies and galaxy clusters in...

During the last decades, our understanding on both galaxy and structure formation in the nearby Universe has...

#### Gravitational instability and fragmentation of spiral arms

Spiral arms in a disc are structures found in various astronomical objects. Sometimes spiral arms fragment into...

#### Massive star formation through molecular cloud collisions and triggered star-formation through feedback...

In recent years, molecular cloud collisions have attracted attention as the formation process of massive stars and...

#### Galaxy-IGM workshop 2019

The Galaxy-IGM workshop 2019 will be held at the Kitami Institute of Technology from the 5 -...

#### Sixth "SMBH Research Promotion and Liason" Workshop

In 2013, The Supermassive Black Hole Research Consortium (SMBH-REC) was created with the aim of promoting collaboration...

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#### Formation of Astrophysical Objects

This workshop aims to provide an opportunity to exchange views and share information about the current status...