Dr. Chernoff will conduct a research program with this Presidential Young Investigator award which will primarily cover two areas in theoretical astrophysics: the interstellar medium and globular cluster evolution. The interstellar medium work will be directed toward understanding how magnetic fields affect the emission which is observed in shocked regions. Modelling of the structure of globular clusters will be done to better understand the formation and evolution of such star agglomerations. Much of our knowledge of the interstellar medium comes from observations of the radiation emitted by energetic gas flows as they interact with quiescent molecular material. Dr. Chernoff concentrates his research on the question of the influence and importance of magnetic fields on the emission which is observed. The predominant thrust of theoretical research on globular clusters in the past two decades has been to isolate the clusters from their surroundings and focus on their internal processes. Dr. Chernoff is interested in establishing the connection between internal structure and evolution of clusters with external factors.
