PD Dr. Axel Schwope

I'm head of the X-ray astronomy group at the AIP and associated professor (Privatdozent) at the University of Potsdam. Students searching for Bachelor-, Master- or doctoral thesis supervision are always welcome.

I am interested in compact binaries (mostly with white dwarfs), neutron stars, and large-scale surveys at X-ray and optical wavelengths. I am the co-investigator and the chairman of the Compact Objects working group of eROSITA, I am co-investigator of the XMM-Newton Survey Science Centre, co-chair of the topical panel Endpoints of Stellar Evolution for the ESA L-class mission ATHENA (launch 2031+) and lead activities to identify Compact Binaries in SDSS-V.

Among my publications (complete ADS list since 1985, or just refereed ) one finds those dealing with compact objects and large-scale surveys but also those focusing on active galactic nuclei (AGN), clusters of galaxies. Others are addressing topics like light pollution (or sky protection) and Doppler tomography.

I'm collaborating with amateur astronomers. One outcome (besides some scientific papers): the main-belt asteroid 278513 carries my name.