About Waterloo Centre for Astrophysics

Brian McNamara and Will Percival
Our drive to explore, propels our greatest achievements. Today there is no greater frontier of discovery than in the field of astrophysics. Using astronomical observations and theoretical reasoning the Waterloo Centre for Astrophysics (WCA) will host aspiring young researchers and students, helping them to unlock the mysteries of the Universe.  By designing and analyzing experiments we will test physical processes that are impossible to replicate on Earth.

The Waterloo Centre for Astrophysics is an important addition to Waterloo’s established global reputation in physics. The WCA builds on the Mike and Ophelia Lazaridis Distinguished Chair in Astrophysics. Under the leadership of the Chair, Prof. Will Percival, the Centre will collaborate with some of the top astrophysics agencies in the world. Moreover, the WCA will go beyond current research, developing sophisticated analysis methods and applying them to current data sets. Discoveries will be shared outside of the scientific community through public talks and events with the next generation of explorers — especially young people and communities currently under-represented within physics.

The breakthroughs made here will touch every aspect of life, business, and academia; echoing through history for generations to come. When we look at the skies, we stare into both our past, and our future. It challenges our imagination to its extremes, to think bigger, bolder, and farther beyond our earthly bounds. It teaches us how the Universe works, evidence that we can study and understand objectively, and then apply to our everyday lives and those of future generations.

What are the physical laws that govern the Universe? Do the rules that work on the Earth also work in extreme situations? Can the discoveries positively impact life on Earth?

Let’s find out together.

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