Sara Issaoun

Sara Issaoun

NASA Einstein Fellow at the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics specializing in near-horizon observations of supermassive black holes. Member of the Event Horizon Telescope.

Sara Issaoun

About Me

I am an NHFP Einstein Fellow, observational astronomer, and member of the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) Collaboration. My research centers around the collection, calibration and analysis of millimeter-wave radio observations of supermassive black holes. Supermassive black holes generate the highest energy processes in the known Universe, ejecting jets of plasma affecting galaxy environments on large scales, but their dynamics and emission mechanisms remain shrouded in mystery. I make use of global networks of radio-telescopes to image and study the immediate surroundings of the supermassive black holes at the centers of our Galaxy and the galaxy M87. I am a leading contributor of the data calibration and imaging efforts that led to the first image of a black hole released by the EHT in April 2019. My research specialty is Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the center of our Milky Way. I aim to expand millimeter-wave radio imaging capabilities and forge strong connections between the first images of supermassive black hole shadows and physics probed by partner facilities across the electromagnetic spectrum. Currently, tests of General Relativity via black hole imaging with the EHT are limited by astrophysical uncertainties of the surrounding accretion flow. We can sharpen these tests using panchromatic studies of these complex environments. Multi-wavelength constraints on accretion flow properties will critically inform the scientific interpretation of images of black hole shadows, our understanding of jet-launching mechanisms, black hole spin measurements, and, ultimately, precision tests of General Relativity.

Born in Algeria, I spent my childhood in Montreal, Canada, and my teens in the Netherlands. I received a BSc in Physics from McGill University in 2015, and an MSc in Physics & Astronomy from Radboud University in 2017. During my graduate studies I was a visiting Predoctoral Fellow at the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in 2018, supervised by Dr. Michael Johnson. I obtained my PhD degree in Astrophysics at Radboud University under the supervision of Prof. Heino Falcke. I am currently a NASA Einstein Fellow at the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

News

  • Sara Issaoun awarded with Christiaan Huygens science prize Radboud Press Release

  • Resolving the core of the J1924-2914 blazar with the Event Horizon Telescope EHT Press Release

  • Black Hole Image Reveals the Beast Inside the Milky Way’s Heart, Quanta Magazine Article

  • First image of black hole at center of Milky Way released, DW Interview

  • Unveiling Sgr A*, the black hole at the centre of our galaxy (press conference, musical act, Q&A) ESO YouTube

  • Astronomers Reveal First Image of the Black Hole at the Heart of Our Galaxy Harvard Press Release

  • Right Now In Tech: PyCon U.S., Forbes Article

  • Physicists Identify the Engine Powering Black Hole Energy Beams, Quanta Magazine Article

  • Sterrenkundige Sara Issaoun is Bazaars Woman of the Week, Harper’s Bazaar NL Article

  • Sara Issaoun is the winner of For Women in Science Rising Talent Prize Radboud Press Release

  • Sara Issaoun is a NASA Hubble Fellowship Program 2021 Fellow Announcement, Harvard Announcement

  • New image reveals supermassive black hole’s swirling magnetic field, CNN Article

  • New picture of famous black hole reveals its swirling magnetic field, New Scientist Article

  • Astronomers Image Magnetic Fields at the Edge of M87’s Black Hole EHT Press Release

  • Shadow of black hole M87* is wobbling Radboud Press Release

  • Corkscrew-shaped jet appears near black hole in Virgo constellation Radboud Press Release

  • 2020 Einstein Medal awarded to the Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration. Announcement

  • 2020 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics awarded to the Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration. Announcement, Article

  • Sara Issaoun awarded a 2019 Christine Mohrmann Stipend for top female PhD candidates Announcement

  • Vox interview feature. Article

  • ESO interview: Behind the Black Hole Article

  • First Image of a Black Hole by the Event Horizon Telescope EHT Press Release, Local PR

  • Lifting the veil on the black hole at the heart of our Galaxy Press Release

  • 2018 University Study Prize for Sara Issaoun Article

  • Interview with MEDIA INAF: First picture of a black hole? Not until 2019. (Italian) Article

  • Black Hole Hunting in Arizona – by Freek Roelofs and Sara Issaoun Article

Photo by Julie de Bruin for Vox