Brad Hansen

Brad Hansen is a Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), affiliated with the Mani L. Bhaumik Institute for Theoretical Physics. He holds a Ph.D. from the California Institute of Technology (1996) and undergraduate and high school degrees from institutions in Durban, South Africa. His research focuses on theoretical astrophysics, particularly extrasolar planets, white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes. Hansen has advised numerous graduate students, including current students Grant Weldon and Neel Nagarajan, and has contributed to groundbreaking studies on planetary dynamics, stellar evolution, and exoplanet formation. His work explores topics such as in situ planet assembly, debris disk dynamics, and the survival of planets around evolved stars. Hansen has led or co-authored numerous high-impact publications, including studies on resonant chain disruption in protoplanetary systems and the dynamics of extrasolar moons.

Education:

• Ph.D., 1996, California Institute of Technology
• Undergraduate: University of Natal, Durban
• High School: St. Henry's College, Durban

Research Interests:

Hansen's work spans theoretical astrophysics, with a focus on exoplanet dynamics, planetary formation, and stellar evolution. His projects include modeling in situ assembly of rocky planets, studying white dwarf pollution via asteroid scattering, and investigating neutron star-black hole interactions. Recent efforts explore the survival of technological civilizations under stellar evolution and the dynamics of hierarchical triple systems.

Key Contributions:

• Developed models for exoplanetary satellite formation via pulldown capture.
• Explored secular dynamics of giant planet systems and their moons.
• Advanced understanding of white dwarf cooling and cosmochronology.
• Co-led studies on debris disks from extrasolar irregular satellites and migration in protoplanetary systems.