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Caltech
Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy

Gregg W. Hallinan

Gregg W. Hallinan

Professor of Astronomy; Director, Owens Valley Radio Observatory

B.Sc., National University of Ireland, 2002; Ph.D., 2008. Assistant Professor, Caltech, 2012-18; Professor, 2018-; Director, 2019-.

Research Interests: Radio Astronomy; Multi-Messenger Astronomy; Time Domain Astronomy; stars, brown dwarfs, exoplanets

Overview

Gregg Hallinan studies new and variable sources that appear in the radio sky. These include the electromagnetic counterparts of gravitational wave events, as well as stellar space weather and exoplanet magnetic fields. He has led the development of a new generation of radio telescopes, including the upcoming 1650-dish Deep Synoptic Array (DSA), which will be the world's most powerful radio telescope. The DSA will have the first radio camera that will create images in real time.

Honors and Awards

  • Kavli Fellow, 2024
  • New Horizons in Physics Prize, 2022
  • Gordon Lectureship (Cornell), 2018
  • Research Science Corporation Scialog Fellow, 2016
  • Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Sloan Research Fellowship Award, 2015
  • Jansky Fellowship, 2010

Caltech Affiliations

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Selected Publications

For a complete publications list, see feeds.library.caltech.edu

Related Courses

Ay 101. Physics of Stars. 9 units (3-0-6); first term, 2026-27. Prerequisites: Ay 20 is recommended. Ph 2 abc or Ph 12 abc is recommended. Physics of stellar interiors and stellar atmospheres. Stellar structure including nucleosynthesis in the cores of stars and energy transport. Stellar evolution. Fundamental properties of stars. The H-R diagram. Stellar spectra, radiative transfer, and spectral line formation. Additional topics may include: stellar oscillations, rotation, mass loss, binary evolution.
Instructor: Hallinan
Ay 122 abc. Astronomical Measurements and Instrumentation. 9 units (3-0-6); first, second terms, 2026-27. Prerequisites: Ph 106 bc or equivalent. Measurement and signal analysis techniques throughout the electromagnetic spectrum. Courses may include lab work and field trips to Caltech observatories. Ay 122 a concentrates on infrared, optical, and ultraviolet techniques: telescopes, optics, detectors, photometry, spectroscopy, active/adaptive optics, coronography. Imaging devices and image processing. Ay 122 b concentrates on radio through submillimeter techniques: antennae, receivers, mixers, and amplifiers. Interferometers and aperture synthesis arrays. Signal analysis techniques and probability and statistics, as relevant to astronomical measurement. Ay 122 c concentrates on X-ray through gamma-ray techniques. Part c not offered 2026-27.
Instructors: Howard, Steidel, Hallinan, Kulkarni
Ay 141 abc. Research Conference in Astronomy. 2 units (1-0-1); first, second, third terms, 2026-27. Oral reports on current research in astronomy, providing students an opportunity for practice in the organization and presentation of technical material. A minimum of two presentations will be expected from each student each year. In addition, students are encouraged to participate in a public-level representation of the same material for posting to an outreach website. This course fulfills the option communication requirement and is required of all astronomy graduate students who have passed their qualifying exam. It is also recommended for astronomy seniors; non-seniors can attend but cannot take the course for credit. Graded pass/fail.
Instructors: Steidel, Hallinan, Ravi