Hsiao-Wen Chen

Associate Professor, Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, and the College
Education: Ph.D., Astronomy, State University of New York at Stony Brook, 1999
Contact Information
Phone: (773) 702-8747
Location: TAAC 3
Email: hchen
oddjob.uchicago.edu
WWW: Web Site
Research
Observational extragalactic astronomy, galaxy-intergalactic medium connection, quasar absorption lines, gamma-ray burst afterglows
My research focuses on understanding the formation history of baryonic structures. I study faint galaxy statistics and cross-correlation functions between galaxies and intervening absorption-line systems identified along random lines of sight toward background quasars and gamma-ray burst afterglows.
The principal goal of my research ist o understand the astrophysics that regulates star formation and galaxy growth. Absorption-line spectroscopy of distant light sources (Quasars/gamma-ray burst afterglows) offers a powerful probe for studying the unseen matter around luminous galaxies. My main research interest is to study the cross-correlation between luminous galaxies and dark absorbers, in order to understand the recycling of baryons between star-forming regions and dark intergalactic medium.
Research Fields: Cosmology; Extragalactic Astronomy
Scientific Projects
Current Projects: Giant Magellan Telescope; Magellan Telescopes
Graduate Students
Current Students: Sean Johnson; Cameron Jia Liang
Past Students: Jean-Rene Gauthier (2011)
Teaching
Current & Future Courses
- ASTR 31300, Extragalactic Studies: 2012 - 2013 (Spring)
- ASTR 24100, The Physics of Stars and Stellar Systems: 2012 - 2013 (Autumn)
Past Courses
- ASTR 41800, Introduction to Intergalactic Medium Studies: 2011 - 2012 (Spring)
- ASTR 31300, Extragalactic Studies: 2011 - 2012 (Spring)
- ASTR 41600, Intergalactic Medium: 2011 - 2012 (Spring); 2008 - 2009 (Autumn); 2005 - 2006 (Autumn)
- ASTR 34000, Statistical Methods in Astronomy and Astrophysics: 2009 - 2010 (Spring)
- ASTR 48000, Current Topics in Astrophysics (Graduate): 2009 - 2010 (Winter)
- ASTR 30900, Research Project Seminar: 2007 - 2008 (Autumn)
- ASTR 30700, Preparation for Summer Research Project: 2006 - 2007 (Spring)
- ASTR 24100, The Physics of Stars and Stellar Systems (Lab): 2011 - 2012 (Autumn); 2007 - 2008 (Autumn); 2006 - 2007 (Autumn)
- ASTR 24100, The Physics of Stars and Stellar Systems: 2011 - 2012 (Autumn); 2010 - 2011 (Autumn)
- ASTR 28200, Special Topics (Exoplanets): 2008 - 2009 (Spring)
Department Committees
Current & Future
- Time Allocation: 2012 - 2013 (Chair)
Past
- Graduate Admission: 2008 - 2009; 2007 - 2008 (Chair)