Vikram Ravi
Professor of Astronomy
B.S., Australian National University, 2009; Ph.D., University of Melbourne, 2014. Visiting Associate, Caltech 2018-19; Assistant Professor, 2019-25; Professor, 2025-.
Research Interests: Neutron star and Black Holes, Diffuse and Dark Universe, Radio and Optical-wavelength Experiments and Facilities
Overview
I am a Professor of Astronomy in the Caltech astronomy department. Between 2015-18, I was a Millikan Fellow in Astronomy at Caltech, and I spent 2018-19 as a Clay Fellow at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard and Smithsonian. My professional focus is on exploring, understanding and bulding radio- and optical-wavelength instruments to observe the relativistic and unseen universe. I study neutron stars and black holes, and associated phenomena that vary on time-scales of nanoseconds to years. I also seek to understand the distribution and physical nature of diffuse/hot baryons within, around and in between galaxies, and dark matter.
Selected Awards
- Sloan Research Fellowship, 2024
- Stefano Braccini Thesis Prize, Gravitational Wave International Committee, 2016
- Charlene Heisler Thesis Prize, Astronomical Society of Australia, 2016
Selected Awards
- Sloan Research Fellowship, 2024
- Stefano Braccini Thesis Prize, Gravitational Wave International Committee, 2016
- Charlene Heisler Thesis Prize, Astronomical Society of Australia, 2016
Public Outreach Activities
- Great Basin Astronomy Festival speaker, 2024
- Bishop Astronomy on Tap speaker, 2022
- Los Angeles Astronomy on Tap speaker, 2018
- Palomar Observatory, Greenway Lecturer, 2016-2017
- Blue Dot program, North State Public Radio, 2016
- Facilitator with Pulse@Parkes project, 2009-2018
Public Outreach Activities
- Great Basin Astronomy Festival speaker, 2024
- Bishop Astronomy on Tap speaker, 2022
- Los Angeles Astronomy on Tap speaker, 2018
- Palomar Observatory, Greenway Lecturer, 2016-2017
- Blue Dot program, North State Public Radio, 2016
- Facilitator with Pulse@Parkes project, 2009-2018
PhD Thesis: Evincing the histories of the cosmic supermassive black hole and galaxy populations with gravitational waves
Related News
Read more newsRelated Courses
Ph 1 abc. Classical Mechanics and Electromagnetism.
9 units (4-0-5); first, second, third terms, 2025-26.
A year-long introductory course on classical physics. Topics: Newtonian mechanics in Ph 1 a; electricity and magnetism, and special relativity, in Ph 1 b, c. Emphasis on physical insight and problem solving. Ph 1 b, c is divided into two tracks: the Practical Track emphasizes order-of-magnitude estimations; the Analytic Track teaches and uses methods of multivariable calculus. Students enrolled in the Practical Track are encouraged to take Ph 8 bc concurrently. Students will be given information helping them to choose a track at the end of fall term.
Instructors: Ravi, Patterson, X. Chen
Instructors: Ravi, Patterson, X. Chen
Ay 122 abc. Astronomical Measurements and Instrumentation.
9 units (3-0-6); first, third terms, 2025-26.
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 b not offered 2025-26.
Instructors: Howard, Kasliwal, Ravi
Instructors: Howard, Kasliwal, Ravi