Wasif Shaqil
M.Sc. in Physics (Astronomy & Astrophysics) at the University of Hamburg
Intro
I am Wasif Shaqil and I have recently completed my Master’s degree in Physics (Astronomy & Astrophysics) at the University of Hamburg in April 2025.
My master’s thesis, "Tidal Interaction in the Galactic Center: The Case of X7", supervised by Dr. Diego Calderón and Prof. Dr. Stephan Rosswog,
focused on the dynamics of a unique gas and dust feature known as X7 near the supermassive black hole, Sagittarius A*.
This work resulted in a publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics,
in collaboration with researchers from Chile and the US, including Nobel Laureate Andrea Ghez. I will soon begin my PhD at the Astrophysics Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, funded by the Royal Society under the supervision of Dr. Emma Beasor.
My research will focus on constraining the formation and evolution of massive stars using data from state-of-the-art telescopes,
including JWST, Giant Magellan Telescope, and HST.
Research
1. Tidal phenomena in the Galactic Center: The curious case of X7
Authors: Wasif Shaqil, Diego Calderón, Stephan Rosswog, Jorge Cuadra, Anna Ciurlo, Mark R. Morris, Randall D. Campbell, Andrea M. Ghez
Abstract:
Several enigmatic dusty sources have been detected in the central parsec of the Galactic Center. Among them is X7, located at only ~0.02 pc from the central supermassive black hole, Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*). Recent observations have shown that X7 is becoming elongated due to the tidal forces of Sgr A*. X7 is expected to be fully disrupted during its pericenter passage around 2035, which might impact the accretion rate of Sgr A*. However, its origin and nature are still unknown...
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