Multiple stars, that is two or more stars composing a gravitationally bound system, are common in the universe.

How did galaxies form? How did galaxies evolve?

At Leiden Observatory, researchers investigate the origin of stars and their planetary systems. They detect and characterize planets around other stars, which are called exo-planets. They study how stars and planets form. And they follow molecules from interstellar clouds to nascent planet systems.…

Promotores: Prof.dr. M. Franx & Prof.dr. P.G. van Dokkum (Yale University)

At Leiden Observatory, researchers investigate the origin of stars and their planetary systems. They detect and characterize planets around other stars (exoplanets). They study how stars and planets form. And they follow molecules from interstellar clouds to nascent planet systems. This way they address…

PhD Defence

Promotor: Prof.dr. E.F. van Dishoeck, Prof.dr. F.F.S. van der Tak (RUG)

Promotor: Prof.dr. E.F. van Dishoeck, Co-Promotor: M.R. Hogerheijde

What is the origin of solar systems?

Promotor: Prof.dr. E.F. van Dishoeck, Co-promotor: S. Bruderer

To address the fundamental questions of how life on Earth emerged and how common life may be in the Universe, it is crucial to know the chemical composition of the planet-forming material.

The focus of this thesis is how stars like our Sun and planets like Jupiter, Saturn, and Earth are formed.

OB associations are loose groups of young, massive stars. They constitute the last stage of the massive starformation process, and the context in which new stars are formed.

The ALMA Local Expertise Group (Allegro) is located in the Leiden Observatory (Sterrewacht). Professor Ewine van Dishoeck: ‘The Netherlands has played an important role in establishing ALMA. Thanks to this subsidy, we can now reap the scientific benefits.'

Promotor: Prof.dr. E.F. van Dishoeck, Co-Promotor: G.J. Herczeg

Galaxies form and evolve through close interaction with their surroundings. As a result, the heavy elements ('metals') that are synthesized in stars, are found both inside and outside galaxies.

This thesis investigates how galaxies form and what diversifies the evolutionary histories of galaxies.

Promotor: F.P. Israel, Co-Promoter: R. Meijerink

Promotor: Prof.dr. E. F. van Dishoeck, Co-promotor: A. N. Heays

Promotor: J. Schaye

Promotor: P. T. de Zeeuw, Co-promotor: N. Neumayer; G. van de Ven

An international team of astronomers has published the most sensitive images of the Universe ever taken at low radio frequencies, using the International Low Frequency Array (LOFAR). ‘LOFAR is unique in its ability to make high-quality images of the sky at metre-wavelengths’, said Huub Röttgering, Leiden…

Circumstellar discs are the reservoirs of gas and dust that surround young stars and have the potential to become planetary systems.

In 2018, Leiden astrophysicist Ewine van Dishoeck won the Kavli Prize in Astrophysics. At the Faculty's New Year's Reception 2019, she announced that she would start a new award for young science talents, financed by her prize money: the Young Star Award.

This thesis aims to enhance our understanding of galaxies by testing theoretical models of galaxy formation against observations, particularly in the cases of extreme systems which have been found to have an excess of baryonic mass in their central regions, in the form of either supermassive black holes…

A team of European astronomers under Leiden leadership has discovered that dust particles around a star already coagulate before the star is fully grown. These agglomerated dust particles are the first step in the formation of planets. The research publish their discovery in the journal of Nature As…

The formation and evolution of galaxies is fundamentally driven by the formation of new stars out of cold gas.

In this thesis chemical and physical processes in the ice mantles on interstellar dust grains are studied.

Promotor: Prof.dr. M. Franx, Co-Promotor: Rychard Bouwens

This thesis develops a method for direction dependent calibration of the ionosphere in radio interferometric data.

Perform cutting-edge research in the area of the STAR mathematics cluster.

Rossi

In the large gas clouds between the stars, chemical reactions take place under extreme conditions, giving rise to both small molecules, such as water and common salt, as well as large complex molecules that can serve as the building blocks of life. This is known as astrochemistry and it is something…

When observing star-forming galaxies, we are not only seeing stellar light, but we also see how this interacts with galactic gas and dust. This thesis contains studies of the stellar, nebular and dust properties of low mass star-forming galaxies.

The high velocity tail of the total velocity distribution of stars provides essential insight into fundamental properties of the Galaxy.

My work focuses on a class of astronomical objects called protoplanetary disks.

The bi-annual interactive seminars of the Platform for Postcolonial Readings are all about sharing our enthusiasm about our field of research and our eagerness to learn more about its theoretical intricacies. Our seminars, although informal, adopt a well-defined format. Each meeting is organized around…

Promotores: Prof.dr. A.G.G.M. Tielens & Prof.dr. L. Kaper (UvA)

We investigate the buildup of galaxies from various vantage points. The first two chapters focus on the stellar content of galaxies, especially the distribution of stellar masses at birth and potential variations therein in various galactic environments.

Promotor: M. Franx, Co-Promotor: I.F. Labbé

The solar system was formed approximately 4.56 billion years ago. Despite the numerous theories that have been developed over the years, the formation and evolution of the solar system still remain unclear.

PhD Defence

Astronomers from Leiden University have discovered that the star wind from a newborn star in the Orion Nebula prevents more stars from forming in the immediate vicinity. They made the discovery with data from the SOFIA observatory. This was announced by co-author Xander Tielens during a press conference…

Why do some children confront social challenges with confidence, whereas others experience difficulties? What is the role of child temperament and child emotional dispositions? What is the role of parenting? This project aims to shed light on the mechanisms explaining shyness and confidence in response…

Labbe