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Farhad Zadeh

Professor

PhD, Columbia University
Curriculum Vitae

Farhad Yusef-Zadeh (also known as Farhad Zadeh) is a Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Northwestern University and a member of CIERA. His research focuses on the physical processes governing the Galactic center, including the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A*, cosmic rays, magnetic fields, and star formation in extreme environments. 

Biography
Research Overview
Professional Interests
Scientific Contributions
Publications
Recent Technical Seminars and Colloquia
Radio Astronomy Lecture Series
Research in the News
Teaching
Block Gallery Exhibition
Science Engagement for the Public
Public Outreach

Biography: 

Professor Yusef- Zadeh received his PhD in Astronomy from Columbia University after undergraduate studies in Physics and Mathematics at SUNY Stony Brook. He conducted postdoctoral research at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center as a National Research Council fellow before joining Northwestern University in 1989, where he has been a professor since 1996. 

Research Overview: 

Professor Yusef-Zadeh investigates the energetic environment of the Milky Way’s nucleus using radio, infrared, and Xray observations. His work addresses how black holes, massive stars, magnetic fields, and cosmic rays interact to shape the Galactic center. He has led extensive observational campaigns with major facilities including the VLA, ALMA, James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), MeerKAT, Chandra, and the Hubble Space Telescope. 

Professional Interests:

  • Cosmic Rays and Magnetic Fields in the Nucleus of the Galaxy 
  • The Galactic Center Supermassive Black Hole 
  • Megamaser Accretion Disks 
  • Star Formation under Extreme Tidal Conditions 
  • Interacting Supernova Remnants 

Scientific Contributions 

  • Excess cosmic ray flux in the Galactic center and its impact on the nuclear interstellar medium. 
  • Discovery and characterization of nonthermal, magnetized radio filaments in the Galactic center.  
  • Radio and submillimeter variability of Sagittarius A*, interpreted through adiabatic expansion (“plasmon”) models.
  • Multiwavelength monitoring of flaring activity from Sagittarius A*, constraining particle acceleration and accretion processes near the event horizon.
  • JWST and HST studies of near infrared flares from Sagittarius A* and their connection to high energy emission.
  • Shock models of supernova remnant masers 

Publications

To view publications, click here

Recent Technical Seminars and Colloquia:

  • Feb 13, 2025 — Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration Meeting (online talk)
  • Feb 26, 2025 — University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
  • Feb 28, 2025 — University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
  • Mar 21, 2025 — National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Charlottesville, VA, USA
  • Mar 28, 2025 — University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign (UIUC), IL, USA
  • Apr 4, 2025 — Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
  • Apr 11, 2025 — Physics Colloquium, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
  • Apr 17, 2025 — Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA), Toronto, Canada
  • May 12, 2025 — University of Montpellier, France
  • May 15, 2025 — ICAP Seminar, Institute d’Astrophysique de Paris, France
  • May 16, 2025 — Paris Observatory, Paris, France
  • Jun 2, 2025 — University of Cologne, Germany
  • Jul 9, 2025 — Midwest Magnetic Field Workshop, University of Wisconsin–Madison, WI, USA
  • Jul 11, 2025 — University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, WI, USA
  • Jul 21, 2025 — ICRC 2025, 39th International Cosmic Ray Conference, Geneva, Switzerland
  • Sep 11, 2025 — Magnetic Fields & Cosmic Rays Across Diverse Scales, Cambridge, MA, USA
  • Sep 18, 2025 — University of Innsbruck, Austria
  • Dec 1, 2025 — JCLab, Paris, France
  • Dec 3, 2025 — CEA Saclay–Paris, France
  • Feb 6, 2026 — Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, USA
  • Feb 12, 2026 — Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, USA
  • Feb 20, 2026 — University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
  • Mar 9, 2026 — Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
  • Mar 16, 2026 — Meudon Observatory, Paris, France
  • April 1, 2026- University of Hong Kong
  • April 2, 2026- University of Hong Kong

Radio Astronomy Lecture Series

Radio Astronomy lecture series, organized by Professor Yusef-Zadeh, showcases major advances in radio and submillimeter astrophysics. Supported by the late George Heilborn, the series brings leading scientists to present cutting-edge observational techniques and scientific discoveries using facilities such as ALMA, the VLA, LOFAR, Arecibo, the Green Bank Telescope, and South Pole observatories. Topics span planet formation, black holes, transient phenomena, and cosmology, with a strong emphasis on interferometry and innovative experimental methods. A complete schedule with abstracts and video recordings is available on the official series calendar. 

Selected Talks:

Research in the News

From 2024 through early 2026, Farhad Yusef‑Zadeh’s work received broad international media attention, particularly for:

  • JWST discoveries of persistent NIR flaring in Sagittarius A*
  • Interpretation of Galactic‑center radio filaments as signatures of past black‑hole activity

Coverage spans peer‑reviewed press releases, popular science magazines, international news, and specialist astronomy outlets, reflecting sustained public and scientific interest.

Media Coverage

  • James Webb Space Telescope reveals nonstop flaring from Sgr A*
    Northwestern University / The Astrophysical Journal Letters — Feb 18, 2025
    Led a JWST study showing continuous near‑infrared variability from the Galaxy’s central black hole, widely covered by science and popular media.
    [news.weinb...estern.edu], [phys.org], [sciencedaily.com]
  • Coverage of the JWST flaring discovery appeared in Popular Science, ScienceDaily, org, The Brighter Side of News
    [popsci.com], [thebrighterside.news], [ynetnews.com]
  • Interviews and quotes explaining Sgr A*’s unique behavior appeared in outlets including Ynet News (Israel) [ynetnews.com]
  • Radio filaments as relics of past Galactic‑center outbursts
    3DVF News — Jan 18, 2026 Feature article on the interpretation of short, horizontal radio filaments near Sgr A* as evidence for ancient energetic activity.
    [3dvf.com]
  • Continued coverage of MeerKAT and JWST‑based discoveries through Northwestern University news feeds and science outreach platforms.
    [news.weinb...estern.edu]
  • Radio filament discoveries in the Galactic center, Earlier discoveries (2022–2023) continue to be cited and re‑featured in Scientific American, New Scientist, SpaceNews, and Chron, often referencing Yusef‑Zadeh’s longstanding role.
    [scientific...erican.com], [newscientist.com], [spacenews.com]
  • Scientific American (feature interview context) [news.north...estern.edu]
  • New Scientist [physics.no...estern.edu]
  • org, ScienceDaily, EurekAlert!, Popular Science, EarthSky, [phys.org], [sciencedaily.com], [earthsky.org]

Teaching:

Professor Yusef‑Zadeh teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in astronomy and astrophysics. Descriptions of three recent courses are provided below.

A Brief Journey Through the Invisible Universe (ASTRON 106)

This course explores astrophysical phenomena beyond visible light, with an emphasis on radio and X‑ray astronomy. Using minimal mathematics, the course introduces students to the history of multi‑wavelength astronomy, how modern telescopes work, and what these observations reveal about planets, galaxies, dark matter, pulsars, black holes, cosmology, and the search for life. The class combines readings, lectures, discussions, and online exams to provide a broad, engaging view of the invisible universe.

Basics of Radio Astronomy (ASTRON 305/405)

This course introduces the principles and techniques of radio astronomy, focusing on how radio telescopes and interferometers probe the invisible universe. Topics include antenna theory, interferometry, emission mechanisms, and major discoveries such as pulsars, quasars, the cosmic microwave background, and organic molecules in space. Emphasis is placed on the unique strengths of radio observations—low noise and phase preservation—and their broad applications across astrophysics. The course also covers the historical development and core physical principles underlying radio astrophysics.

Imaging in Astronomy (ASTRON 130)

This course for non‑majors introduces astronomy through the analysis of real astronomical images across multiple wavelengths. Using examples drawn from current research, students learn how imaging reveals the physical processes governing celestial objects. Weekly web‑based assignments guide students through image‑based investigations of topics such as planets, stars, supernovae, black holes, star‑forming regions, and the structure of the Milky Way, providing a hands‑on approach to understanding the universe.

Block Gallery Exhibition

 Imaging and Imagining Space

Science Engagement for the Public:

Public Outreach

Professor Yusef-Zadeh has organized an outreach program of public lectures featuring a wide range of engaging topics designed to appeal to students and the general public. These talks explore the intersections of physics, astronomy, history, and culture, and are presented by distinguished scholars and scientists. The lectures were recorded and are available for viewing on the Northwestern University Department of Physics and Astronomy website. Lecture topics include:

The topics of these lectures are as follows: