Chang Liu

Explore the Universe, Benefit the Society.

Chang Liu

Chang Liu 刘畅

PhD Candidate

Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics (CIERA)

Northwestern University

Who Am I?

I am a time-domain astronomer at Northwestern University , where I work with Prof. Adam Miller to unravel the mysteries of the transient universe. I earned my Bachelor of Science from Peking University .

My research leverages advanced data science methodologies to analyze vast datasets from time-domain surveys (ZTF, and the upcoming LS4 and LSST) alongside observations from world-class telescopes including Keck, MMT, and Magellan. My thesis will focus on the demographics of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), the cosmic candles that illuminate our understanding of the dark energy, whose progenitor systems remain a major unknown in astrophysics.

Where Am I Going?

My research vision is to decode origins of cosmic transients using large samples with complete temporal coverage, from days after explosion to years-long evolution that follows. I apply advanced statistical techniques to mine these extensive datasets, uncovering subtle patterns and correlations that expose the underlying physics driving these events. Our work has already illuminated the explosion mechanisms of some of the most peculiar SNe Ia, and is paving the way toward a deeper, population-wide understanding of how these stellar explosions arise.

With the primary focus on transient phenomena, my research spans theory, observation, machine learning, and software. I have simulated stars repeatedly torn apart by supermassive black holes, built a machine-learning star-galaxy classifier that drives real-time extragalactic transient searches, and developed a novel spectroscopic technique for precision galaxy background subtraction, enabling far cleaner measurements of transient light.

Explore my research highlights or publication list, and the softwares I developed.

Where Did I Come From?

My journey began in Xinchang (新昌), a serene mountainous county in China, where I spent countless hours wandering ancient paths that once inspired classical poets. It was there, beneath star-filled skies, that I first experienced the profound wonder of the cosmos, long before I encountered my first physics equation. Those early moments of stargazing and contemplation ignited a lifelong passion for understanding our place in the universe. As an avid photographer, I carry forward that same wonder that first drew me to the stars.

Visit my gallery to see how this artistic perspective enriches my scientific work.


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