Cosmic Frontier Center
Exploring the Origins of the First Stars, Galaxies and Black Holes.
Combining observational and theoretical astrophysics, our researchers tackle key questions to improve understanding of the cosmic origins of the universe. We focus on three interrelated areas pertaining to complexities of the early universe, exploring the origins of stars, galaxies and black holes.
Leadership
Steven Finkelstein, Director
Dr. Finkelstein is a Professor in the Department of Astronomy. He is the PI of JWST’s CEERS Survey, which provided humanity’s first glimpse into galaxy formation in the first 400 million years of cosmic time. He is also the Co-PI of the NGDEEP survey, JWST’s deepest look into the early universe. He plays key roles in the upcoming European Space Agency (ESA) Euclid telescope, as well as NASA’s next flagship observatory, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Full profile »
Volker Bromm, Co-Director
Dr. Bromm is a Professor in the Department of Astronomy. He is a world leader in the theoretical study of the early universe, where his group makes predictions for the origins and nature of the earliest stars, galaxies, and massive black holes to form in the universe, using the supercomputers at TACC. He is a core member of multiple space missions, including ESA’s Euclid mission. Full profile »
Recent News & Discoveries
McDonald Observatory
The Universe’s Secret Harvest: UT Astronomers Shed Light on “the Cosmic Grapes”
The galaxy contains far more star-forming clumps than current theoretical models can explain.
UT News
Meet the Universe’s Earliest Confirmed Black Hole: A Monster at the Dawn of Time
A team of astronomers from UT’s Cosmic Frontier Center have identified the most distant black hole ever confirmed.
McDonald Observatory
UT’s Cosmic Frontier Center Welcomes New Class of Fellows
Their work will support the CFC's mission to uncover the origin of galaxies, black holes and stars in the early universe.
McDonald Observatory
JWST Awards UT Astronomers 10% of Its Coveted Observing Time
Steve Finkelstein, Danielle Berg, Adam Kraus, Stella Offner and John Chisholm are among UT Austin astronomers leading new James Webb Space Telescope projects.
McDonald Observatory
Newfound Galaxy Class May Indicate Early Black Hole Growth
Many galaxies known as little red dots (LRDs) appear to harbor growing supermassive black holes.
Frontier Fellows Tackle Humanity’s Biggest Question: Where Do We Come From?
The inaugural class of Cosmic Frontier Center postdoctoral fellows will study black holes in early galaxies and the formation of the first stars.
McDonald Observatory
Astronomers Use James Webb Space Telescope to Probe an Extreme Starburst Galaxy
Messier 82, 12 million light-years away, is relatively compact but hosts a frenzy of star formation activity.
UT Researcher Leading Project for New NASA Space Telescope
UT’s new Cosmic Frontier Center and McDonald Observatory will play key roles in aiding research into chemically young galaxies.
Astronomers Confirm Maisie’s Galaxy is Among Earliest Ever Observed
Detected with the James Webb Space Telescope, Maisie’s galaxy was observed 390 million years after the Big Bang.
Webb Telescope Detects Most Distant Active Supermassive Black Hole
At about 9 solar masses, this black hole is a real lightweight compared to previously seen ones in the early universe that are typically 1 billion solar masses.
James Webb Space Telescope Images Challenge Theories of How Universe Evolved
Hefty young galaxies defy the reigning model of cosmology, called "dark energy + cold dark matter" or ΛCDM.
UT Austin Astronomer Spies Most Distant Dusty Galaxy Hidden in Plain Sight
Astronomer Caitlin Casey of The University of Texas at Austin has used the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) to spot the light of a massive galaxy seen just 970 million years after the Big Bang.
