About the Program

Published in Feb 29, 2024 02:14 PM Updated in Jun 23, 2025 08:39 AM

The graduate program in Astrophysics (AST) at INPE started in 1980, as one of the concentration areas in the Space Sciences program. However, under the "astrogeophysics" umbrella, astrophysics has been an active area of research and source for graduate work since late 60's.

In April 18, 1996, CAPES set apart the graduate programs in Astrophysics and Space Sciences, creating two independent programs, retroacting its decision to January 1 1994. The "Graduate Program in Astrophysics" is a formal program at INPE started formally in 1994, despite existing independently since 1987.

The Astrophysics graduate courses at INPE were conceived to form M.Sc. and Ph.D. staff prepared to face the challenges of astrophysical research at INPE and, more generally, all over Brazil.

Following INPE's tradition, DIDAS strongly supports the development of astronomical instrumentation in all areas. Our scientists are deeply involved in the design, production and operation of radio interferometers, gravitational wave detectors, satellites, microwave receivers, infrared detectors, besides other components and parts of the instrumentation.

The program has graduated 137 M.Sc. and 82 Ph.D. students as of March 2025.

Thesis' and dissertations' subjects should be closely related to projects and research activities conducted at INPE.

The reader will find below a brief description of the research activities carried at the Astrophysics Division (DIAST):

Theoretical studies and observations in stellar astrophysics, extragalactic astrophysics, cosmology and extrasolar planets.
Observations and phenomenological analysis of the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation, as well as cosmic X- and gamma-ray sources.
Solar studies, including solar flares, their propagation effects in the interplanetary environment, solar-terrestrial phenomena and its relation to space weather.
Studies in gravitational waves astrophysics. To suppport these efforts, INPE is leading the efforts to build and operate the first gravitational waves observatory in Brazil.