Shambhavi Srivastava

I research stars' lifetimes, particularly those of non-alone stars. Over 50% of all stars are part of binary or multiple systems, where their orbits and interactions with one another influence how they evolve. My work focuses on high-energy astrophysics and binary stars, investigating how these systems swap mass, spiral closer together, or even merge to produce some of the universe's most extreme occurrences, including as black holes, neutron stars, and supernovae.

Knowing binary stars lets us piece together a bigger picture of how galaxies form and the origins of some of the most energetic cosmic occurrences, so it's not just about researching individual systems. Arizona is a fantastic area to research these issues because of its dark sky and top-notch observatories, and I enjoy imparting that thrill of discovery to others. Because the world is always more interconnected than it first appears, I want to make astronomy approachable, thrilling, and full of adventure, whether I'm using a telescope, creating simulations, or instructing students.