Gregory Laughlin

B.A. Physics 1988: University of Illinois

Ph.D. Astronomy and Astrophysics 1994: University of California, Santa Cruz

Greg Laughlin's research interests are in theoretical astrophysics, with an emphasis on numerical simulations. Current areas of interest include:

(1) The dynamics of extrasolar planets: Over 120 extrasolar planets have been detected, and more systems are being discovered every month. By studying the long-term orbital evolution of these new systems, we can gain insight into their formation, and thus obtain a better understanding of how our own solar system fits into the Galaxy's overall inventory of planets. Other projects include an ongoing observational search for planets around high metallicity stars (in collaboration with Debra Fischer at SFSU and Geoff Marcy at Berkeley), and the coordination of a detection network for transiting extrasolar planets: www.transitsearch.org.

(2) The hydrodynamics of self-gravitating disks: This work is mainly geared toward understanding the growth and saturation of spiral density waves in protoplanetary disks. Spiral instabilities are a key mechanism for elicitting the transport of angular momentum through nascent planetary systems, and this are very important to an overall understanding of planet formation. Current areas of research include the migration of protoplanets in MHD-turbulent protostellar disks.

(3) Stellar evolution: Research topics in this area include the luminosity functions of white dwarfs and low mass stars, the metallicity distribution of stars in the solar neighborhood, the evolution of low mass red giants, and the stellar evolutionary consequences of the planet -- stellar metallicity connection.

(4) The long-term evolution of the Universe: In a long-term collaboration with Fred Adams of the University of Michigan, we are studying processes which unfold over timescales greatly exceeding the Hubble Time. These include galactic evolution, the effects of proton decay, and processes involving black holes. We have written a popular level book on this topic: The Five Ages of the Universe -- Inside the Physics of Eternity.