Daniel Nadeau

Professor Daniel Nadeau’s research at the Université de Montréal is in infrared astronomy, a branch of science that peeks into the universe through wavelengths longer than what the human eye can perceive. Studying objects in the infrared is perfect for observing that which eludes our eyes in visible light. Using infrared observations, Professor Nadeau’s research focuses on three main areas:

• Cool Objects: Infrared is ideal for studying objects with surface temperatures below 3000 degrees Celsius. This includes stars in their infancy, known as forming stars, and enigmatic brown dwarfs, which are too cool to shine brightly in visible light but glow warmly in the infrared.
• Cosmic Dust and Molecules: The Universe is a dusty place! This dust is composed of minuscule solid particles suspended in the spaces between stars. Unlike the dust in your home, it resembles smoky matter, ranging from tiny molecular clusters to 0.1 mm-sized grains. This cosmic dust is crucial for the birth of young stars and serves as the building blocks for planets such as Earth. Dust grains and molecules like H2, CO, and CH4 emit infrared radiation, providing insights into the dusty landscapes of interstellar and circumstellar spaces.
  • Peeking Behind the Curtain: Some astronomical objects like young stellar associations are often camouflaged by interstellar dust in star-forming regions and the galactic plane. Infrared astronomy allows us to peek behind the curtain and study these hidden celestial objects.

Professor Nadeau’s research doesn’t stop at our cosmic doorstep. It extends to galaxies far, far away. In fact, the majority of radiation from distant galaxies reaches us in the form of infrared light.

Professor Nadeau and his team have spent three decades crafting powerful tools. They’ve constructed cameras and spectrometers for observatories like Mont Mégantic and the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope. With these instruments, they’ve explored captivating phenomena, from supersonic star-forming jets ignited by hydrogen (H2) to the mind-bending effects of gravitational microlensing on the images of distant quasars.

A Focus on Brown Dwarfs

In recent years, their research has zeroed in on brown dwarfs. These celestial oddities weigh more than planets but less than stars. They can burn a special type of nuclear fuel called deuterium but eventually cool down, never reaching the stable fusion that powers stars.

Professor Daniel Nadeau’s work in the infrared allows us to see the universe through a different lens, revealing mysteries of the night sky that lie beyond the reach of our eyes. It’s a journey that expands our understanding of the cosmos, one infrared wavelength at a time.