Shaul Hanany

Magna Cum Laude, Tel Aviv University, 1987; Center Research Fellow, the Center for Particle Astrophysics, University of California, Berkeley; American Astronomical Society Chretien Grant, 1999; Results published by Hanany et al. (2000) were cited as “one of the 10 most important breakthroughs in science for the year 2000” by Science magazine (Science, 290, 2221); MCKNIGHT LAND GRANT PROFESSOR 2001-2003; ‘Best Professor in Physics’, Institute of Technology Student Board, 2003.

Chair of Organizing Committee for workshop “The cosmic microwave background and its polarization” (2003); Lead organizer, American Astronomical Society Meeting Special Session “The cosmic microwave background Radiation” (2007); Chair of NASA’s Primordial Polarization Program Definition Team (2007 -- Present); Editor, Journal of Cosmology and Astro-particle Physics (2000 – Present)

We are building instruments with which we observe the 'cosmic microwave background radiation' (CMB). This radiation is a relic remnant from the big bang. Detailed characterization of the properties of the CMB can give tremendous amount of information about the evolution of the universe. By 'evolution of the universe' we mean: from immediately right after the bang until galaxies and clusters of galaxies formed. Already our research has claimed national recognition: Science Magazine has labeled results that we published in 2000 as "one of the 10 most important breakthroughs in science for the year 2000".

The instruments we build are launched on balloon borne platforms to altitudes above 100,000 ft. They use the highest sensitivity detectors in the world, as well as many other innovations that you won't find in Radio Shack. The balloon flight usually lasts between a few hours to few weeks.

Some members of our group specialize in the analysis and interpretation of data and its implication for cosmology. Those members use the facilities of the Minnesota Supercomputing Institute.

Go to this web site to learn more about our research