Since the formation of the first stars after the Big Bang, stars have been one of the primary factors for the evolution of the Universe. They critically influence the mechanical and thermal states of the surrounding medium via ionizing photon emission, stellar winds, and supernova explosions. Stars have also determined the chemical evolution of the Universe. Almost all the elements heavier than helium are produced by the nucleosynthesis in stars: they include iron and silicon that are essential ingredients of earth-like planets, as well as carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorus that are found in all forms of life on earth.

The formation process of stars plays the key role for the production of water and complex organic molecules, which eventually allows the environment in favor of the emergence of life on planets.

The members in the stellar astrophysics group at SNU are involved in a wide range of research topics related to stars, which include the formation and evolution of stars, supernovae and gamma-ray bursts, and application of the stellar evolution theory to the other fields of astrophysics.

[Homepage] https://astro.snu.ac.kr/~yoon/