Science
Dark matter
In an attempt to reveal the nature of dark matter I study the spatial distribution and the particle properties of dark matter.
My main approach is X-ray observations of the tenous, hot plasma trapped in the potential wells of galaxies and clusters of galaxies. The spatial distribution and temperature of the plasma reflects the characteristics of the underlying dark matter. If we know the properties and the emission mechanisms of the plasma we can thus deduce information of the dominating dark matter.
Some dark matter candidates decay or annihillate and in this process X-rays or gamma-rays are emitted. Hence, I use X-ray and gamma-ray observations of dark matter structures to constrain - and possible detect - dark matter.
Space science
Some studies of the Universe is best done from space - and in some cases it can exclusively be done from space.
I'm involved in the preparations of several space missions which in a unique way will explore the Universe through observations of, e.g. the most distant gamma-ray bursts and quasars, dark matter, and distant galaxies.
As Director of University of Copenhagen's Space Science Center I'm also coordinating efforts on other space missions with participation from University of Copenhagen, i.e. ExoMars and ISS.
Gamma-ray burst afterglows
Gamma-ray bursts are the most violent explosions in the Universe - yet their nature remain obscure.
I'm involved in observations of their prompt gamma-ray emission as well as their X-ray afterglow, which reveals details about the explosion mechanisms and the surrounding environment. Due to their immense brightness, gamma-ray bursts can be seen to very large distances and are as such unique probes of the early Universe.
