jzrake@clemson.edu
Department of Physics & Astronomy
Computational Astrophysics Lab
Clemson University, SC
Jonathan Zrake
Assistant Professor of Physics
My research group works on topics in high energy and multi-messenger astrophysics, using high-performance, state-of-the-art computing. My interests include binary neutron star mergers, gamma-ray bursts, pulsar wind nebulae, AGN jets, binary black hole accretion, turbulence, and magnetic reconnection.
Recent Publications
Changing-Look Inspirals: Trends and Switches in AGN Disk Emission as Signposts for Merging Black Hole Binaries
J. Zrake, M. Clyburn, S. Feyan
arXiv (2024)
Suppressed accretion onto massive black hole binaries surrounded by thin disks
C. Tiede, J. Zrake, A. MacFadyen, Z. Haiman
arXiv (2024)
The Santa Barbara Binary‑disk Code Comparison
P. Duffell, Alexander J. Dittmann, Daniel J. D'Orazio, A. Franchini, Kaitlin M. Kratter, Anna B. T. Penzlin, E. Ragusa, M. Siwek, C. Tiede, H. Wang, J. Zrake, Adam M. Dempsey, Z. Haiman, A. Lupi, M. Pirog, G. Ryan
ApJ (2024)
Long-term evolution of binary orbits induced by circumbinary disks
R. Valli, C. Tiede, A. Vigna-Gómez, J. Cuadra, M. Siwek, J. Ma, Daniel J. D'Orazio, J. Zrake, Selma E. de Mink
Astronomy and Astrophysics (2024)
Disappearing thermal X-ray emission as a tell-tale signature of merging massive black hole binaries
L. Krauth, J. Davelaar, Z. Haiman, J. R. Westernacher-Schneider, J. Zrake, A. MacFadyen
(2024)
How circumbinary disks change the orbit of supermassive black hole binaries
R. Valli, C. Tiede, A. Vigna-Gómez, J. Cuadra, M. Siwek, J. Ma, Daniel J. D'Orazio, J. Zrake, Selma E. de Mink
(2024)
The dynamics and electromagnetic signatures of accretion in unequal mass binary black hole inspirals
M. Clyburn, J. Zrake
arXiv (2024)
Relativistic Binary Precession: Impact on Eccentric Binary Accretion and Multi-Messenger Astronomy
S. DeLaurentiis, Z. Haiman, J. R. Westernacher-Schneider, Luke Major Krauth, J. Davelaar, J. Zrake, A. MacFadyen
arXiv (2024)
Self-lensing flares from black hole binaries: General-relativistic ray tracing of circumbinary accretion simulations
Luke Major Krauth, J. Davelaar, Z. Haiman, J. R. Westernacher-Schneider, J. Zrake, A. MacFadyen
PhysRev D (2024)
Group Members

Jonathan Zrake

Jonathan works on a range of topics in high energy astrophysics, including binary black hole mergers, gamma-ray bursts, kilonovae, magnetic reconnection, and MHD turbulence. He is an expert in algorithms and software methodologies for high-performance simulation codes used in astrophysical hydrodynamics and MHD.

Press Releases
Clemson researcher wins NASA FINESST award for physics research on merging black holes (2023)
The unfolding story of a kilonova told in X-rays (2022)
Clemson astrophysicist works to unravel mystery of what happens after neutron stars collide (2022)
Research provides insight into how heavy elements such as gold and platinum reach our galaxy (2022)
Gamma ray discovery could advance understanding of role of ultra-fast outflows in the evolution of galaxies (2021)
Movies
This movie shows a binary black hole that is accreting material from a circumbinary gas disk. The simulation is done using the Sailfish code, which is written and maintained by our group. Credit: Jordy Davelaar.
An inspiraling binary black hole, accreting from a circumbinary disk. In this simulation the binary has a mass ratio of 5 to 1 and the primary black hole has a mass roughly 10 million times that of the sun. Credit: Madeline Clyburn.
A simulation of a self-lensing event, in which two black holes take turns eclipsing one another. The light is produced by hot gas orbiting the individual black holes. This movie is not an artist impression, it is based on a simulation using the Sailfish code, which is then subjected to a general-relativistic ray-tracing calculation using the RAPTOR code. Credit: Jordy Davelaar.
©2020 - 2024 by Jonathan Zrake