Dr. Marc Favata's primary research interests involve the detection of gravitational waves and how those detections allow us to observe the universe in a new and unique way. Gravitational waves are ripples in the curvature of spacetime produced by the collisions of black holes or neutron stars. He is part of an international collaboration called the LIGO project (the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory, http://www.ligo.org/). LIGO's goal is to observe the universe with gravitational waves using a network of laser interferometers, each consisting of a giant 4-km-long L-shaped device. On September 14, 2015 LIGO achieved this goal with the first direct detection of gravitational waves from a pair of colliding black holes. This event--one of the most significant physics discoveries of the past 50 years--has given birth to the field of gravitational-wave astronomy. Many more detections followed, including the first binary neutron star collision observed on August 17, 2017. His research focuses on improving the models that LIGO and other gravitational-wave detectors use to analyze their signals. Dr. Favata is especially interested in how gravitational-wave observations will probe the interiors of neutron stars and test our understanding of Einstein’s description of gravity. His research at Montclair State has been supported by NSF RUI and CAREER grants, and by the Simons Foundation.

Dr. Favata also works on education and public outreach related to LIGO and gravitational waves. In addition to giving public lectures, organizing exhibits at science or astronomy exhibitions, and managing https://www.ligo.org/ , he has developed--along with Montclair State students--a website to explore the analogy between gravitational waves and sound. The detection of gravitational-wave signals now allows us to "listen" to the universe. Explore this further at our site: http://www.soundsofspacetime.org

Dr. Marc Favata's primary research interests involve the detection of gravitational waves and how those detections allow us to observe the universe in a new and unique way. His research focuses on improving the models that LIGO and other gravitational-wave detectors use to analyze their signals. He is especially interested in how gravitational-wave observations will probe the interiors of neutron stars and test our understanding of Einstein’s description of gravity. 

Theoretical astrophysics, especially general relativity, compact objects (neutron stars, black holes), and gravitational-wave astronomy.

Dr. Favata's teaching focuses on courses that support the astronomy concentration. Along with the calculus-based intro physics courses (PHYS 191/192), he regularly teaches Astronomy for Everyone (PHYS 180), Astronomy for Physicists (PHYS 280), Astrophysics (PHYS 480), General Relativity (PHYS 461, MATH 461/562), Intermediate Mechanics (PHYS 210), and seminar courses (PHYS 198/PHYS 300).

Expert on theoretical astrophysics, relativity, and gravitational wave astronomy.