This research investigates the origins of cosmic dust, a critical ingredient for stars, planets, and life. Using infrared observations of massive stellar explosions through the Red Astronomical Transient Survey, the study shows that massive stars produce significant amounts of both silicate and carbon-rich dust, shaping galaxy evolution and early planet formation.

My talk explains how neutron stars—extremely dense remnants of stellar explosions—contain matter we cannot study on Earth. By analyzing gravitational waves from colliding neutron stars, the speaker models how their deformation (or “squishiness”) reveals their internal composition. This method may uncover entirely new forms of matter and transform fundamental physics.