Hammer, Michael
Main Focus
I am a computational astrophysicist who uses hydrodynamic simulations
to study the formation and evolution of protoplanetary discs,
particularly as they interact with any embedded planets.
My Ph.D.
thesis work focused on large-scale planet-induced vortices. I have been
interested in constraining the lifetimes and appearances of these
vortices in FARGO3D simulations in order to connect them to
crescent-shaped vortex candidates observed by ALMA. Beyond that, I have
also worked on improving models of magnetically-driven disc winds, and
simulating the resistive double-diffusive instability (R-DDI) with the
spectral hydro code dedalus.
My work at MPS thus far has pivoted to using 1-D simulations to study the long-term evolution of protoplanetary discs.
Curriculum Vitae
Education and Employment:
2026–pres.: Postdoc, MPS, Germany (Supervisor: Prof. Joanna Drążkowska)
2021–2025: Postdoc, ASIAA, Taiwan (Supervisor: Prof. Min-Kai Lin)
2015–2021: Ph.D. Astronomy & Astrophysics, University of Arizona, USA
2011–2015: B.A. Physics (Minor in Computer Science), Cornell University, USA
Selected Publications:
Hammer, M., Lin, M.-K., 2025, An MHD-based model for wind-driven disc-planet interactions, MNRAS, 540, 1507
doi:10.1093/mnras/staf805
Hammer, M.,
Lin, M.-K., 2023, How to form compact and other longer-lived
planet-induced vortices: VSI, planet migration, or re-triggers, but not
feedback, MNRAS, 525, 123
doi:10.1093/mnras/stad2264
Hammer, M.,
Lin, M.-K., Kratter, K., Pinilla, P., 2021, Which planets trigger
longer-lived vortices: low-mass or high-mass?, MNRAS, 504, 3963
doi:10.1093/mnras/stab1079
Hammer, M.,
Pinilla, P., Kratter, K., Lin, M.-K., 2019, Observational diagnostics
of elongated planet-induced vortices with realistic planet formation
time-scales, MNRAS, 482, 3609
doi:10.1093/mnras/sty2946
Hammer, M., Kratter, K., Lin, M.-K., 2017, Slowly-growing gap-opening planets trigger weaker vortices, MNRAS, 466, 3533
doi:10.1093/mnras/stw3000