Victoria Calafut

Astronomy & Space Sciences

Overview

I am currently a fifth year graduate student working with Dr. Rachel Bean. The focus of my research is on cosmology with the kinematic Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (kSZ) effect. The peculiar velocities of clusters, traced by the kSZ effect, can provide a measurement of the underlying gravitational potential field in order to constrain cosmology, e.g. dark energy and modified gravity. This work utilizes current and upcoming photometric and spectroscopic galaxy observations. My previous recent work was on the impact of galaxy cluster miscentering and systematics in kSZ effect analyses, and my current work focuses on extending upon this, as well as cosmological forecasting with the kSZ effect. Previously, as an REU student here, I worked on CMB simulations to probe potential non-Gaussianity.

In 2014, I received a B.S. in physics with a specialization in astrophysics and interdisciplinary concentration in the philosophy of science from The College of New Jersey. There I worked with Dr. Paul Wiita on computational modeling of relativistic jets in active galactic nuclei.

In addition to research, I have been a teaching assistant for ASTRO 1101 & 1102, treasurer of the Astronomy Grads Network, and involved in department outreach including Ask An Astronomer.

 

Research Focus

Advisor:Professor Rachel Bean

Cosmology, Theoretical Astrophysics.

Publications

V. Calafut, R. Bean, & B. Yu, "Cluster mislocation in kinematic Sunyaev-Zel’dovich (kSZ) effect extraction", arXiv: 1710.01755v2 (astro-ph.CO), Phys. Rev. D 96, 123529 (2017)

V. Calafut & P.J. Wiita, "Modeling the Emission from Turbulent Relativistic Jets in Active Galactic Nuclei," arXiv:1407.3687 (astro-ph.HE), JoAA, Volume 36, Issue 2 (2015).

Top