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Gilles Ferrand

astrophysicist

Hello, I am Gilles Ferrand /ʒil feʁɑ̃/, a French and Canadian astrophysicist.
My research started with the study of particle acceleration by shock waves in supernova remnants and superbubbles, to understand the origin of cosmic-rays in the Galaxy. My work is mostly based on numerical simulations, that allow us to model the complex multi-scale physics, and to predict the multi-wavelength emission. I have performed the first three-dimensional simulations of the evolution and emission of young supernova remnants including both hydrodynamic instabilities and efficient particle acceleration. To help making comparisons with observations, I have also initiated and maintained the first catalogue of high-energy (X and gamma rays) observations of all known Galactic remnants. Recently I have been working on making the link between the modeling of supernova explosions and the modeling of supernova remnants. I have shown how the thermonuclear explosion of a white dwarf can be imprinted on the morphology of the young remnant.
I have also a keen interest in scientific visualization. I have been exploring techniques for immersive visualization of 3D data cubes, with applications to data from both simulations and observations.

Full curriculum vitae as PDF

Interests

  • particle acceleration and the origin of cosmic rays
  • supernova remnants as probes of the supernova engine
  • scientific visualization, including immersive 3D

Education

  • PhD in Astrophysics, 2008

    Université de Toulouse

  • Master in Astrophysics, 2004

    Université Paris 7

  • Master in Engineering, 2003

    École Centrale de Nantes

Research positions

 
 
 
 
 

Adjunct Professor

University of Manitoba

May 2023 – Present Canada
 
 
 
 
 

Research Scientist

RIKEN

Sep 2016 – Mar 2023 Japan
From the supernova engine to the supernova remnant
Dr. Shigehiro Nagataki
Astrophysical Big Bang Laboratory (ABBL)
Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences Program (iTHEMS)
 
 
 
 
 

Research Associate

University of Manitoba

Jan 2016 – Jul 2016 Canada
3D visualization of astronomical data using immersive Virtual Reality displays
Profs. Jayanne English and Pourang Irani
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Department of Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction lab
 
 
 
 
 

Postdoctoral Fellow, CITA National Fellow

University of Manitoba

Sep 2010 – Dec 2015 Canada
Particle acceleration in supernova remnants: numerical simulations and high-energy observations
Prof. Samar Safi-Harb
Department of Physics and Astronomy, SNR group
 
 
 
 
 

engineer-researcher

CEA

Sep 2008 – Aug 2010 France
Morphological and spectral evolution of supernovae remnants under the effect of efficient cosmic-ray acceleration
Dr. Anne Decourchelle
Astrophysics Division

Teaching experience

 
 
 
 
 

Sessional Instructor

University of Manitoba

Aug 2021 – Dec 2021 Canada
Taught stellar physics to third year students
 
 
 
 
 

Sessional Instructor

University of Manitoba

Aug 2015 – Aug 2015 Canada
Taught general physics to first year students
 
 
 
 
 

Attaché Temporaire d’Enseignement et de Recherche – ATER (lecturer)

Université Toulouse III

Aug 2008 – Sep 2007 France
Taught physics to undergraduate and graduate students
 
 
 
 
 

Moniteur d’initiation à l’enseignement supérieur (teaching assistant)

Université Toulouse III

Aug 2007 – Oct 2004 France
Taught physics and mathematics to undergraduate students

Main projects

.js-id-projects

SN2SNR

Using the 3D morphology of the supernova remnant as a probe of the explosion mechanism.

Virtual Reality

Exploring immersive 3D visualization for research and for outreach.
VR/advanced viz group

CIRADA

The Canadian Initiative for Radio Astronomy Data Analysis

Cherenkov Telescope Array

The observatory for ground-based gamma-ray astronomy

AccelRSN

Simulating the effects of efficient particle acceleration in supernova remnants.

SNRcat

An up-to-date catalogue of high-energy observations of all Galactic supernova remnants.
snrcat.physics.umanitoba.ca

Collaborations

.js-id-collab

SN2SNR

Using the 3D morphology of the supernova remnant as a probe of the explosion mechanism.

Virtual Reality

Exploring immersive 3D visualization for research and for outreach.
VR/advanced viz group

CIRADA

The Canadian Initiative for Radio Astronomy Data Analysis

Cherenkov Telescope Array

The observatory for ground-based gamma-ray astronomy

AccelRSN

Simulating the effects of efficient particle acceleration in supernova remnants.

SNRcat

An up-to-date catalogue of high-energy observations of all Galactic supernova remnants.
snrcat.physics.umanitoba.ca

Public lectures

"Art & Astronomy: intersections and oppositions"

"Astrophotography: basics of imaging the night sky"

"Supernova Remnants"

Some recent professional presentations

"From the thermonuclear supernova to the supernova remnant"

"A double detonation in a double degenerate system, from Type Ia supernova to supernova remnant"

"3D visualization of astronomy data using virtual reality"

"From the thermonuclear supernova to the supernova remnant"

"From the thermonuclear supernova to the supernova remnant"

"Modelling and simulations of supernova remnants"

"3D simulations of young supernova remnants"

"3D simulations of young supernova remnants with efficient particle acceleration: thermo-nuclear vs. core-collapse"

Publications

Get my list of publications on ADS

Contact

  • 30A Sifton Road, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada
  • University of Manitoba, Fort Garry campus
    Allen Building, room 311