Kaustav Kashyap Das
PhD candidate, Astrophysics, Caltech
Hello! I recently completed my PhD in Astrophysics at Caltech, where I worked with Professor Mansi Kasliwal and the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) collaboration.
My research focuses on core-collapse supernova explosions.
This fall, I will be joining the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian as a CfA Postdoctoral Fellow.
Research and Academic Interests
I primarily using data from wide-field sky surveys such as the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF). I currently lead the Complete Astronomical Transient Survey within 150 Mpc (CATS150)—the largest volume-limited survey of transients in the nearby universe.
My research focuses on core-collapse supernovae, with a particular interest in understanding the population of low-luminosity supernovae and what they reveal about massive stars and their evolution.
Research Publications
(First-author)
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KK Das, A. Gangopadhyay et al. (2026b). Submitted to PASP. SN 2018erx: A fast-evolving, dust-reddened Type Icn supernova with broad C II emission lines
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KK Das, A. Jerkstrand et al. (2026a). Accepted for publication in PASP. Low-Luminosity Type IIP Supernovae from the Zwicky Transient Facility Census of the Local Universe. III: Hunting for electron-capture supernovae using nebular spectroscopy.
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KK Das, M. M. Kasliwal et al. (2025b). Accepted for publication in PASP. arXiv:2506.20068. Low-Luminosity Type IIP Supernovae from the Zwicky Transient Facility Census of the Local Universe. II: Lightcurve Analysis.
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KK Das, M. M. Kasliwal et al. (2025a). PASP, 937, 14.
Low-Luminosity Type IIP Supernovae from the Zwicky Transient Facility Census of the Local Universe. I: Luminosity Function, Volumetric Rate
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KK Das, C. Fremling et al. (2024). ApJL, 969, 11.
SN 2023zaw: an ultra-stripped, nickel-poor supernova from a low-mass progenitor
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KK Das, M. M. Kasliwal et al. (2023). ApJ, 972, 91.
Probing pre-supernovae mass loss using a sample of double-peaked Type Ibc SNe from the Zwicky Transient Facility
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KK Das, M. M. Kasliwal et al. (2022). ApJ, 959, 12.
Probing the low-mass end of core-collapse supernovae using a sample of strongly-stripped Calcium-rich Type IIb Supernovae from the Zwicky Transient Facility
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KK Das, K. Sankharva, P. Jain (2021). Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics, 2021 (07), 035.Explaining excess dipole in NVSS data using superhorizon perturbation
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KK Das, C. Zucker et al. (2020). MNRAS, 498, 5863.
Constraining the distance to the North Polar Spur with Gaia DR2
ADS link
Social Service
I strongly believe that astronomy is a powerful tool that sparks curiosity in young minds. Growing up in Assam, India, an economically disadvantaged region, I saw how limited exposure to science can stifle curiosity. This motivated me to make science accessible to underprivileged students. In 2023–24, I organized astronomy workshops in Karbi Anglong, Assam’s least-educated district, after meeting with local government officials. Through hands-on activities inspired by India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission, students simulated rocket propulsion and mission planning. To support these sessions, I designed a graphic-book–style astronomy workbook titled “Traveling to the Stars” (link in CV). Their success led to invitations from more than ten schools. I write popular science articles in leading Assamese newspapers to connect with the local community. I have volunteered at over ten Caltech outreach events, including delivering public talks at the Death Valley Dark Sky Festival and Astronomy on Tap Los Angeles.
