Patrick Young is a theoretical astrophysicist and astrobiologist. They use computer simulations to understand stellar evolution, supernova explosions, and the synthesis of the chemical elements. Observations of real supernova remnants compared to 3D models illuminate how supernovae explode and how they distribute newly created elements into interstellar gas that will form stars and planets. They also study the impact of chemical composition on planetary habitability. Understanding how planets and their host stars co-evolve will facilitate the choice of targets for future missions that will search for signatures of life on exoplanets. They are a science lead on the NASA TREC ICAR headquartered at ASU. Since August of 2017, they have been associate director for community outreach in the School of Earth and Space Exploration.
Education
Ph.D. Astronomy, University of Arizona 2004
B.S. Astronomy, University of Texas at Austin 1998
Patrick Young is a theoretical astrophysicist interested in the lives and deaths of stars and their effects on their environments, from synthesis of the chemical elements to planetary habitability. His current research touches on several areas. It involves computational hydrodynamics simulations of stellar interiors, supernovae and gamma-ray bursts (the most energetic explosive events in the universe), and the synthesis and ejection of elements by nuclear fusion in stars and stellar explosions. He also models the evolution of stars over the entire span of their lives and how their radiation, winds, and stellar activity may affect the habitability of nearby planets. His interests extend to observations of stellar chemical compositions, and he works with geoscientists to understand how their unexpected diversity may affect the mineral makeup and geophysical evolution of exoplanets. The impact of these processes range from the evolution of galaxies, to the interaction of stellar winds with local environments, to the enrichment of forming solar systems with the elements needed for life.
Research Activity
Young,Patrick*. Impact on Supernova Observables from Progenitor Evolution. LANL(2/24/2015 - 7/31/2015).
