David Wittman

Assistant Professor
Physics Department
UC Davis
Contact info
                   
High-redshift cluster of galaxies discovered
through its gravitational effects alone.

Research

I use gravitational lensing to reveal various aspects of the universe, such as where the mass is and its relationship to the light which forms our traditional view of the universe. I am currently focused on the Deep Lens Survey (DLS), a deep optical imaging survey of 20 square degrees of sky. As Co-PI, I am deeply involved in all aspects of the survey, from planning and coordinating over 100 nights of 4-meter telescope time, to data processing and algorithms, to final science analysis and public data release. A fun part of this is producing beautiful color images of the sky (you can see more on the DLS website below). I am also involved in planning and design for the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), an 8-m telescope with a 3-degree field of view which will repeatedly survey the sky beginning in 2012.

Our research group has opportunities for motivated and talented students, at both undergraduate and graduate levels, in physics and in related areas such as image processing and computer science. If you are an interested UC Davis student (or researcher or faculty!), drop by the fifth floor of the physics building and we'll show you the great things we are doing.

Education

Ongoing: training docents at Cameron Park Community Observatory.

Spring 2009: PHY 156, Intro to Cosmology (formerly PHY 126)

Winter 2009: AST 10G, Stars, Galaxies, Universe

Fall 2008: PHY 265, High Energy Astrophysics

Spring 2008: PHY 250, Weak Lensing

Winter 2008: AST 10G

Spring 2007: PHY 126

Fall 2006: AST 10G (nominated for an ASUCD Excellence in Education Award).

Other Activities