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ProfessorStas Shabala

Associate Head Research / Professor

Physics

Orcid identifier0000-0001-5064-0493 (opens in a new tab)⁠
  • Associate Head Research / Professor
    Physics
  • +61 3 6226 2410 (Fax)
  • +61 3 6226 8502 (Work)
  • School of Natural Sciences, Physics, 456 Maths-Physics Building, Sandy Bay Campus, TAS

RESEARCH SUMMARy

Expertise

Theoretical and computational astrophysics
Astrophysical fluids
Astrophysical jets
Galaxy formation and evolution
Active Galactic Nuclei
Very Long Baseline Interferometry

Research Themes

Stas Shabala’s research group specialises in development of analytical and numerical techniques to represent physical systems. Major areas of research are in Active Galactic Nuclei, galaxy evolution, astrometry and space geodesy.

Shabala’s group develops analytical and numerical models to capture the dynamics and synchrotron emission from plasma jets associated with black holes, and use these to study the interaction between galaxies and supermassive black holes (or Active Galactic Nuclei, abbreviated to AGN), including mutual feedback mechanisms. Stas and his group are involved in several large radio and optical observational projects, using leading Australian and international telescopes.

In geodesy and astrometry, AGN serve as beacons that can be used to measure positions on Earth and the orientation of Earth is space. The Very Large Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) technique used for these measurements is incredibly accurate: distances between radio telescopes separated by thousands of kilometres can be routinely measured at the centimetre level. To achieve even higher accuracy required to address global climate challenges and end-user requirements, AGN physics as well as other effects such as antenna deformation and light distortion by the Earth's atmosphere must be understood. Shabala’s group develops geodetic simulations, observing strategies and analysis techniques that incorporate the physics of AGN jets, and contributes these insights to interdisciplinary collaborations.

Collaboration

Stas collaborates broadly with a range of theorists and observers. Internationally, these collaborations include colleagues at the University of Hertfordshire (UK), the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy, Technical University of Vienna (Austria), and University of Cambridge (UK). Within Australia, long-standing collaborators include colleagues at CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science, University of Western Australia, Curtin University and Geoscience Australia.

Current projects

Stas’s research spans a wide range of theoretical and observational astrophysics, and geodesy:

Numerical simulations of jets in cosmological environments.
Analytical modelling of jets in radio galaxies.
Surveys of radio galaxies and their environments.
Lifecycles of radio jets inferred from large sky surveys.
The role of jet feedback in galaxy evolution.
Quasar structure in geodetic Very Long Baseline Interferometry.

FUNDED PROJECTS

  • GRANT
    Cosmic powerhouses: The birth, death, and legacy of black hole jets
    1 Jan 2024 - 1 May 2027
    People funded by this grant:
    • Shabala S,
    • Power C,
    • Vernstrom T,
    • Morganti R
    Project Total: $638,945; This project targets relativistic jets powered by supermassive black holes - the most powerful systems in the Universe. Theoretically, the enormous energies released have a profound influence on how galaxies evolve; empirically, observations reveal signatures of their impact across cosmic time. However, fundamental questions remain about how these jets are triggered and what impact they have on galaxies. The project will address these questions using novel supercomputer models of black hole jets in realistic cosmological environments, then confront these predictions with new data from Square Kilometre Array (SKA) pathfinding radio telescopes. This will substantially enhance Australias leadership capacity in a strategically important area. Funded by: Australian Research Council - Grant-Discovery Projects ($547,251); University of Tasmania ($74,445).
  • GRANT
    A major upgrade to the Australia Telescope Compact Array
    Australian Research Council1 Jan 2020 - 31 Dec 2021
    People funded by this grant:
    • Norris R,
    • Phillips C,
    • Shabala S
    Project Total: $530,000; This project proposes to upgrade the $100m CSIRO Australia Telescope Compact Array ('the telescope'), by replacing the signal processing electronics and doubling the bandwidth. This will significantly enhance the performance of the telescope, enabling better and more ambitious science by the xxx researchers and students who use it each year. For example, it will enable the telescope to detect radio counterparts to Gravitational Wave sources, and it will enable it to deliver the science from initial discoveries made with the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder and other Australian telescopes. In short, it will enable Australian researchers to do better science, and make more discoveries, across broad areas of astrophysics. Funded by: Australian Research Council - Grant-Linkage Infrastructure; University of Tasmania ($20,000).
  • GRANT
    Modelling supermassive black hole jets
    Department of Education, Skills and Employment13 Aug 2018 - 21 Dec 2018
    People funded by this grant:
    • Shabala S
    Project Total: $17,000; At the heart of every galaxy lies a massive black hole. These black holes launch powerful jets that can be observed with radio telescopes. Burrowing through their surroundings at almost the speed of light, the jets play a key role in shaping the cosmic history of galaxies. Being immensely bright, they are also important probes of the basic constituents of our Universe and the fundamental laws of physics. Evolution of galaxies and black holes relate directly to three of six key science questions in the Australian Academy of Science's Decadal Plan for Australian Astronomy (2016-2025). This Endeavour Fellowship project aims to develop the theoretical framework required for analyzing radio telescope observations, including from the multi-billion dollar international Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project partly hosted by Australia. Such a framework does not currently exist. The Centre for Astrophysics Research at the University of Hertfordshire hosts a world-leading group in studies of black hole jets and galaxies, led by Centre Director Prof. Martin Hardcastle. Specifically, Dr Martin Krause is an expert in numerical simulations of jet dynamics, Dr Sugata Kaviraj in observations and simulations of galaxy interactions, and Prof. Hardcastle in numerical simulations and observations of radio emission from black hole jets. This ideally complements my own expertise in analytical modeling of black hole jets and galaxies. I propose to visit Hertfordshire during my study leave in August - December 2018, when I have no teaching commitments. Intended research outcomes include: (1) Development of two complementary types (analytical and numerical) of jet models; (2) Integration of jet and galaxy models in a common, self-consistent framework; (3) Analysis of proprietary observational data (from international collaborations of which my Hertfordshire colleagues and I are members) using these models. This project will provide the first self-consistent description of black hole jet and galaxy populations. Funded by: Department of Education, Skills and Employment - Fellowship-Endeavour Research ($17,000); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    Broadband receivers for AuScope geodetic and astronomical applications
    Australian Research Council26 Jun 2015 - 31 Oct 2018
    People funded by this grant:
    • Dickey J,
    • Lovell J,
    • Ellingsen S,
    • Shabala S,
    • King M
    Project Total: $789,000; Funded by: Australian Research Council - Grant-Linkage Infrastructure ($570,000); Smithsonian Institution ($100,000); Geoscience Australia ($80,000); CSIRO-Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation ($20,000); Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy ($10,000); Auckland University of Technology ($9,000); University of Tasmania ($50,000).
  • GRANT
    Eternal struggle: star formation and black hole activity in galaxies
    Australian Research Council1 Jul 2013 - 30 Jun 2018
    People funded by this grant:
    • Shabala S
    Project Total: $370,799; Star formation and black hole activity in galaxies are triggered by similar processes, and are tightly coupled throughout cosmic history. Despite this, they affect galaxies in very different, often competing ways. Thus, understanding of the processes governing the onset of star formation and black hole activity, and their interaction, are central to our comprehension of galaxy formation. This project will study the link between these processes by combining state-of-the-art models with observations of galaxies with the youngest, most compact active black holes. The project will shed light on fundamental processes governing the formation and evolution of galaxies throughout cosmic time. Funded by: Australian Research Council - Fellowship-Discovery Early Career Researcher Award ($370,799); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    Probing the central engines of supermassive black holes
    University of Tasmania1 Jan 2013 - 31 Dec 2013
    People funded by this grant:
    • Shabala S,
    • McCallum J
    Project Total: $28,000; Funded by: University of Tasmania - Grant-Research Enhancement (REGS); University of Tasmania ($28,000).