Or Graur
University of Portsmouth
- Email:
- [email protected]
Education
- PhD, Physics and Astronomy, Tel Aviv University & American Museum of Natural History, 2013
- BSc, Physics and Astronomy, Tel Aviv University (magna cum laude), 2007
Research Interests
I am a Reader (Associate Professor) in Astrophysics at the University of Portsmouth's Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation.
I study supernovae - the explosions of stars - as well as other transient astrophysical phenomena. I use observations (images and spectra) obtained with ground- and space-based observatories and large-scale spectroscopic surveys (such as SDSS and DESI). I am specifically interested in uncovering the nature of the progenitors of Type Ia supernovae, studying these supernovae when they are several years old, and conducting population studies of supernovae in general. I am also working on discovering and characterizing tidal disruption events - flares caused by stars that are ripped apart by super-massive black holes - and the galaxies in which they occur.
For a taste of my research, watch the videos below:
Publications
Supernova (MIT Press, 2022): a concise introduction to the history and physics of supernovae
Teaching Experience
2021 - present: Course scientist, AMNH Seminars on Science
2011 - 2016: Mentor, AMNH Science Research Mentoring Program