Avishai Dekel
Encyclopedia
Avishai Dekel is a professor of physics
at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
, Israel
, holding the Andre Aisenstadt Chair of Theoretical Physics. He is performing research in astrophysics
and cosmology
. Prof. Dekel got his Ph.D.
from the Hebrew University in 1980, and was a research fellow at Caltech and an assistant professor at Yale University
before joining the faculty of the Hebrew University in 1986. He served as the Head of the Racah Institute of Physics (1997–2001) and is the Dean of the Authority for the Community and Youth at the Hebrew University since 2005. He is the President of the Israel Physical Society (2008–11). Prof. Dekel is a frequent visitor to the University of California, Santa Cruz. Among other professional honors, he has been awarded a Miller professorship at UC Berkeley and a Blaise Pascal
International Chair of Research by the École Normale Supérieure
in Paris (2004–06).
Prof. Dekel is known for his contributions to research in cosmology, especially the study of the formation of galaxies and large-scale structure in the dark matter
-dark energy
dominated Universe.
He is most well known for the understanding of dwarf galaxies and supernova
feedback (1986, 2003), for the analysis of large-scale cosmic flows (1989–1997), for the studies of the structure of dark-matter galactic halos
(2000–2003), for his contributions to central issues in the theory of galaxy formation
(2003–2009), and for his recent discoveries concerning the formation of galaxies in the early universe by cold streams.
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem ; ; abbreviated HUJI) is Israel's second-oldest university, after the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. The Hebrew University has three campuses in Jerusalem and one in Rehovot. The world's largest Jewish studies library is located on its Edmond J...
, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, holding the Andre Aisenstadt Chair of Theoretical Physics. He is performing research in astrophysics
Astrophysics
Astrophysics is the branch of astronomy that deals with the physics of the universe, including the physical properties of celestial objects, as well as their interactions and behavior...
and cosmology
Cosmology
Cosmology is the discipline that deals with the nature of the Universe as a whole. Cosmologists seek to understand the origin, evolution, structure, and ultimate fate of the Universe at large, as well as the natural laws that keep it in order...
. Prof. Dekel got his Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
from the Hebrew University in 1980, and was a research fellow at Caltech and an assistant professor at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
before joining the faculty of the Hebrew University in 1986. He served as the Head of the Racah Institute of Physics (1997–2001) and is the Dean of the Authority for the Community and Youth at the Hebrew University since 2005. He is the President of the Israel Physical Society (2008–11). Prof. Dekel is a frequent visitor to the University of California, Santa Cruz. Among other professional honors, he has been awarded a Miller professorship at UC Berkeley and a Blaise Pascal
Blaise Pascal
Blaise Pascal , was a French mathematician, physicist, inventor, writer and Catholic philosopher. He was a child prodigy who was educated by his father, a tax collector in Rouen...
International Chair of Research by the École Normale Supérieure
École Normale Supérieure
The École normale supérieure is one of the most prestigious French grandes écoles...
in Paris (2004–06).
Prof. Dekel is known for his contributions to research in cosmology, especially the study of the formation of galaxies and large-scale structure in the dark matter
Dark matter
In astronomy and cosmology, dark matter is matter that neither emits nor scatters light or other electromagnetic radiation, and so cannot be directly detected via optical or radio astronomy...
-dark energy
Dark energy
In physical cosmology, astronomy and celestial mechanics, dark energy is a hypothetical form of energy that permeates all of space and tends to accelerate the expansion of the universe. Dark energy is the most accepted theory to explain recent observations that the universe appears to be expanding...
dominated Universe.
He is most well known for the understanding of dwarf galaxies and supernova
Supernova
A supernova is a stellar explosion that is more energetic than a nova. It is pronounced with the plural supernovae or supernovas. Supernovae are extremely luminous and cause a burst of radiation that often briefly outshines an entire galaxy, before fading from view over several weeks or months...
feedback (1986, 2003), for the analysis of large-scale cosmic flows (1989–1997), for the studies of the structure of dark-matter galactic halos
Dark matter halo
A dark matter halo is a hypothetical component of a galaxy, which extends beyond the edge of the visible galaxy and dominates the total mass. Since they consist of dark matter, halos cannot be observed directly, but their existence is inferred through their effects on the motions of stars and gas...
(2000–2003), for his contributions to central issues in the theory of galaxy formation
Galaxy formation and evolution
The study of galaxy formation and evolution is concerned with the processes that formed a heterogeneous universe from a homogeneous beginning, the formation of the first galaxies, the way galaxies change over time, and the processes that have generated the variety of structures observed in nearby...
(2003–2009), and for his recent discoveries concerning the formation of galaxies in the early universe by cold streams.