 Penn State has a large and active group pursuing observational and theoretical investigations in Extragalactic Astronomy. Current research programs include a wide range of topics in Active Galactic Nuclei (optical and X-ray surveys for quasars, broad and narrow absorption line systems in quasars, AGN spectral energy distributions, and properties of accretion disks), gamma-ray bursts, the distance scale, very deep X-ray surveys, interacting galaxies, the search for intracluster stars, and the evolution of X-ray properties of normal galaxies.
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Members of the Penn State X-ray Astronomy group are involved in both X-ray and multiwavelength studies of the supermassive black holes that reside in the nuclei of active galaxies. These galaxies show strong, non-stellar continuum emission at radio-to-X-ray wavelengths as well as strong line emission from ionized gas moving at high velocities.
Penn State University researchers have led a team that has created the most sensitive X-ray image of the extragalactic universe. A region of sky near the "Big Dipper" has been observed using the Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer on the Chandra X-ray Observatory for a total exposure of 23 days.
Penn State University researchers are leading a deep, panoramic X-ray survey in the southern sky titled the Extended Chandra Deep Field-South. They have used the Chandra X-ray Observatory to observe sensitively a region about 1.5 times the size of the full Moon on the sky.