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Caltech
Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy

Saul A. Teukolsky

Saul A. Teukolsky

Robinson Professor of Theoretical Astrophysics

B.Sc., University of the Witwatersrand, 1970; Ph.D., Caltech, 1973. Visiting Associate, Caltech, 2015-16; Robinson Professor, 2017-.

Research Interests: Gravitational-Wave Physics; Theoretical Astrophysics

Overview

Saul A. Teukolsky is a leading figure in theoretical astrophysics and general relativity, best known for the Teukolsky equation, which describes perturbations of rotating black holes and plays a central role in gravitational-wave research. Teukolsky is also a co-author of the influential Numerical Recipes series, a foundational resource in scientific computing. In addition to his research contributions, he is a dedicated educator recognized for his clear and rigorous teaching.

Selected Awards

  • Dirac Medal, 2021
  • Einstein Prize, American Physical Society, 2021
  • Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics, 2016
  • Elected to National Academy of Sciences, 2003
  • Elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1996

External Affiliations

  • Hans A. Bethe Professor of Physics and Astrophysics, Emeritus, Cornell, 2022-present

Professional Organizations

  • Fellow, International Society on General Relativity & Gravitation, 2025
  • American Astronomical Society
  • Fellow, American Physical Society
  • American Association of Physics Teachers

PhD Thesis: Perturbations of a Rotating Black Hole.

Related News

Catalog of Simulations of Black Hole Collisions Expands
Physicists to Listen Closely to Black Holes Ring
Physicists Create New Model of Ringing Black Holes
Saul Teukolsky Receives Dirac Medal
Saul Teukolsky Awarded 2021 Einstein Prize
First Overtones "Heard" in the Ringing of a Black Hole
Caltech Faculty Receive Named Professorships
LIGO Team Awarded Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics
New Gift Allows Caltech and Cornell Scientists to Continue Simulating Warped Space-time
Read more news

Selected Publications

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

Related Courses

Ph 236 abc. General Relativity. 9 units (3-0-6); first, second terms, 2025-26. Prerequisites: a mastery of special relativity at the level of Goldstein's Classical Mechanics, or of Jackson's Classical Electrodynamics. A systematic exposition of Einstein's general theory of relativity and its applications to gravitational waves, black holes, relativistic stars, causal structure of space-time, cosmology and brane worlds. Given in alternate years. Part c not offered 2025-26.
Instructors: Chatziioannou, Teukolsky