Biography
Laura Chomiuk observes supernovae and novae at all wavelengths, from radio to gamma rays. Her team combines observations and models to understand the violent shocks taking place in these explosions. She is particularly interested in how relatively low-energy, garden-variety nova explosions can produce the highest energy photons---gamma-rays.
Laura Chomiuk is also the director of the MSU Campus Observatory, and is invested in bringing authentic research experiences to MSU undergraduates and astronomy
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experiences to the broader Lansing community.
Education
University of Wisconsin-Madison: Ph.D., Astronomy | 2010
University of Wisconsin-Madison: M.S., Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences | 2006
Wesleyan University: B.A., Astronomy and Physics | 2003
Selected Press
Shockwaves Light up Stellar Explosions
Sky & Telescope | 2017-09-14
“These superluminous supernovae are very far away, and difficult to observe and understand in detail,” says coauthor Laura Chomiuk (Michigan State University). “On the other hand, novae explode 50 times a year in our galactic backyard.”
‘Impossible’ star explosions made by gas and solar wind pile-up
New Scientist | 2017-09-04
The shocks themselves were already known about, says Laura Chomiuk, who took part in the study, but “nobody thought they were very important”.
The team now wants to observe more novae to see if the hypothesis holds up, says Chomiuk. This will take some time because stellar explosions don’t happen on a regular schedule. Novae, she says, are still poorly understood. “We’re still trying to understand why some of our novae are so luminous and some not,” she says.
ZEROING IN ON A SOURCE OF GAMMA RAYS
MSU Today | 2014-10-08
But now a team of researchers, led by Michigan State University astronomer Laura Chomiuk, has made a discovery that may shed some light on the subject.
Media Assets
Laura Chomiuk