Michael Brown

I am an observational astronomer whose research interests include the evolution of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and the growth of galaxies over cosmic time. This research is undertaken in collaboration with Monash University PhD students, postdoctoral fellows and colleagues from around the world. We undertake this research using large surveys of the Universe including Galaxy and Mass Assembly survey (GAMA), theNOAO Deep Wide-field Survey (NDWFS), the Spitzer Deep Wide-Field Survey (SDWFS), the AGN and Galaxy Evolution Survey (AGES) and planned surveys with the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder and TAIPAN.

In 2014, I published an atlas of 129 galaxy spectral energy distributions, which will be used to improve measurements of galaxy distances, colours and luminosities. I am best known for my measurements of galaxy growth over cosmic time and how galaxies populate dark matter halos. A key result of these studies is that the most massive galaxies grow relatively slowly and that the relationship between stellar mass and dark matter mass evolves very little over billions of years.

My students and postdoctoral fellows are currently measuring how galaxies grow over cosmic time, how the formation of stars within galaxies depends on environment, when AGNs are found within particular galaxy populations and the dependence of star formation on dark matter halo properties. If you are interested in PhD studies in astrophysics at Monash University or postdoctoral fellowship opportunities, do not hesitate to contact me.