Mailing Address
Yale Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics
Physics Department
P.O. Box 208120
New Haven, CT 06520-8120
Campus Address
260 Whitney Avenue
454 J.W. Gibbs Laboratory
Telephone: (203) 432-3392
Fax: 203) 432-3824
E-mail: ycaa@yale.edu
Upcoming YCAA Seminars
YCAA Seminar Alyssa Goodman, Center for Astrophysics, Harvard U.,Title: "Figuring out why the Loch Ness Monster is Resting in the Milky Way, Online" - Tue, May 7, 2013
When: Tuesday, May 7, 2013 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Where:
Bass Center for Molecular and Structural Biology (BASS), 305 BASS
266 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT 06511
(Location is wheelchair accessible)
Tea will be served at 2:00pm in the 3rd floor hallway BASS
Tags: astrophysics, science, seminar, talk
Speaker/Performer: Alyssa Goodman, CfA
Description: Abstract: This talk will use the tale of our recent findings about the true nature of the infrared dark cloud known as "Nessie" to explain how modern astronomical discoveries can be made using online data and collaboration. Nessie is likely a "bone" of the Milky Way in that it marks the very center of a spiral arm's gravitational potential. No such features have been theoretically predicted, but the existence of Nessie--an extremely long and skinny dense dark cloud at very special location in position-velocity space--suggests that such "bones" may be common in spiral arms. How we uncovered Nessie's significance is a story in itself--one that highlights the increasing importance of collaboration, and of flexible, powerful, online tools for data discovery, visualization, and analysis online. The goal of this talk will be to show the inter-relationships amongst astrophysical insights, new online research paradigms and tools, and new approaches to data visualization. A preview of results and technologies to be discussed is available online at http://milkywaybones.org.
Open To: General Public
Contact Information:
Laurelyn Celone
2034323392
laurelyn.celone@yale.edu
Where:
Bass Center for Molecular and Structural Biology (BASS), 305 BASS
266 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT 06511
(Location is wheelchair accessible)
Tea will be served at 2:00pm in the 3rd floor hallway BASS
Tags: astrophysics, science, seminar, talk
Speaker/Performer: Alyssa Goodman, CfA
Description: Abstract: This talk will use the tale of our recent findings about the true nature of the infrared dark cloud known as "Nessie" to explain how modern astronomical discoveries can be made using online data and collaboration. Nessie is likely a "bone" of the Milky Way in that it marks the very center of a spiral arm's gravitational potential. No such features have been theoretically predicted, but the existence of Nessie--an extremely long and skinny dense dark cloud at very special location in position-velocity space--suggests that such "bones" may be common in spiral arms. How we uncovered Nessie's significance is a story in itself--one that highlights the increasing importance of collaboration, and of flexible, powerful, online tools for data discovery, visualization, and analysis online. The goal of this talk will be to show the inter-relationships amongst astrophysical insights, new online research paradigms and tools, and new approaches to data visualization. A preview of results and technologies to be discussed is available online at http://milkywaybones.org.
Open To: General Public
Contact Information:
Laurelyn Celone
2034323392
laurelyn.celone@yale.edu
YCAA Seminar Ian Dell'Antonio, Brown University, Title: "Measuring Mass Distributions and Substructure in Galaxy Glusters with Weak Gravitational Lensing" - Tue, April 30, 2013
When: Tuesday, April 30, 2013 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Where:
Bass Center for Molecular and Structural Biology (BASS), 305 BASS
266 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT 06511
(Location is wheelchair accessible)
Tea will be served at 2:00pm in the 3rd floor hallway BASS
Tags: astrophysics, science, seminar, talk
Speaker/Performer: Ian Dell'Antonio, Brown University
Description: Abstract: The distribution of mass in galaxy clusters and the evolution of substructure in galaxy clusters are an emerging cosmological probe, as well as a sensitive test of cold dark matter. I will present first results from programs that seek to use weak lensing to measure the substructure in clusters of galaxies from z<0.05 (using DECam) to z>0.6 (with HST), and discuss the prospects for measurement of the substructure fraction as a function of redshift (and cluster mass) in upcoming surveys.
Open To: General Public
Contact Information:
Laurelyn Celone
2034323392
laurelyn.celone@yale.edu
Where:
Bass Center for Molecular and Structural Biology (BASS), 305 BASS
266 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT 06511
(Location is wheelchair accessible)
Tea will be served at 2:00pm in the 3rd floor hallway BASS
Tags: astrophysics, science, seminar, talk
Speaker/Performer: Ian Dell'Antonio, Brown University
Description: Abstract: The distribution of mass in galaxy clusters and the evolution of substructure in galaxy clusters are an emerging cosmological probe, as well as a sensitive test of cold dark matter. I will present first results from programs that seek to use weak lensing to measure the substructure in clusters of galaxies from z<0.05 (using DECam) to z>0.6 (with HST), and discuss the prospects for measurement of the substructure fraction as a function of redshift (and cluster mass) in upcoming surveys.
Open To: General Public
Contact Information:
Laurelyn Celone
2034323392
laurelyn.celone@yale.edu
YCAA Seminar Chris Fassnacht, University of California,Davis Title: "Exploring the Dark Side of the Universe" - Tue, April 23, 2013
When: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Where:
Bass Center for Molecular and Structural Biology (BASS), 305 BASS
266 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT 06511
(Location is wheelchair accessible)
Tea will be served at 2:00pm in the 3rd floor hallway BASS
Tags: astrophysics, science, seminar, talk
Speaker/Performer: Chris Fassnacht, UC Davis
Description: Abstract: In this talk I will show how the powerful combination of
gravitational lensing and sensitive, high-resolution imaging can
provide direct observational tests of galaxy formation scenarios under
the cold dark matter paradigm as well as interesting constraints on
cosmology. In particular, I will discuss the following two subjects.
(1) Placing observational constraints on the subhalo mass function by,
for the first time, directly measuring masses of galaxy satellites outside
of the Local Group. These measurements can be made even if the satellites
are composed purely of dark matter, and provide an excellent complement
to information obtained from investigations of Milky Way satellite
galaxies.
(2) Placing constraints on the Hubble Constant, curvature, and the dark
energy equation of state parameter that are independent of and
complementary to those obtained by other observational probes. Even
with a single gravitational lens system it is possible to obtain
precisions on these measurements that are comparable to those obtained
by the other methods.
The imaging used for these projects comes from Keck adaptive optics (AO)
and Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations. In some cases the AO imaging
is clearly sharper than that obtained with HST.
Open To: General Public
Contact Information:
Laurelyn Celone
2034323392
laurelyn.celone@yale.edu
Where:
Bass Center for Molecular and Structural Biology (BASS), 305 BASS
266 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT 06511
(Location is wheelchair accessible)
Tea will be served at 2:00pm in the 3rd floor hallway BASS
Tags: astrophysics, science, seminar, talk
Speaker/Performer: Chris Fassnacht, UC Davis
Description: Abstract: In this talk I will show how the powerful combination of
gravitational lensing and sensitive, high-resolution imaging can
provide direct observational tests of galaxy formation scenarios under
the cold dark matter paradigm as well as interesting constraints on
cosmology. In particular, I will discuss the following two subjects.
(1) Placing observational constraints on the subhalo mass function by,
for the first time, directly measuring masses of galaxy satellites outside
of the Local Group. These measurements can be made even if the satellites
are composed purely of dark matter, and provide an excellent complement
to information obtained from investigations of Milky Way satellite
galaxies.
(2) Placing constraints on the Hubble Constant, curvature, and the dark
energy equation of state parameter that are independent of and
complementary to those obtained by other observational probes. Even
with a single gravitational lens system it is possible to obtain
precisions on these measurements that are comparable to those obtained
by the other methods.
The imaging used for these projects comes from Keck adaptive optics (AO)
and Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations. In some cases the AO imaging
is clearly sharper than that obtained with HST.
Open To: General Public
Contact Information:
Laurelyn Celone
2034323392
laurelyn.celone@yale.edu
YCAA Seminar Andy Goulding, Center for Astrophysics, Harvard U., Title: “Unveiling the Full Population of Nearby Growing Black Holes” - Tue, April 16, 2013
When: Tuesday, April 16, 2013 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Where:
Bass Center for Molecular and Structural Biology (BASS), 305 BASS
266 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT 06511
(Location is wheelchair accessible)
Tea will be served at 2:00pm in the 3rd floor hallway BASS
Tags: astrophysics, science, seminar, talk
Speaker/Performer: Andy Goulding, CfA
Description: Abstract: Rapidly accreting supermassive black holes (BHs), in the form of active galactic nuclei (AGN), are capable of releasing enormous quantities of energy, often comparable to the binding energy of a massive galaxy. However, little is known about the important interaction between AGN and their host galaxies. An outstanding problem is that the majority of BHs are hidden from our line-of-sight by obscuring gas and dust. In this talk, I will discuss our recent results combining multiwavelength datasets to build the most complete census of all nearby accreting BHs and their host galaxies. We provide new constraints on the demographics of hidden AGN, the nature of the obscuring media, and further unveil the symbiosis of the galaxy and its growing central black hole.
Open To: General Public
Contact Information:
Laurelyn Celone
2034323392
laurelyn.celone@yale.edu
Where:
Bass Center for Molecular and Structural Biology (BASS), 305 BASS
266 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT 06511
(Location is wheelchair accessible)
Tea will be served at 2:00pm in the 3rd floor hallway BASS
Tags: astrophysics, science, seminar, talk
Speaker/Performer: Andy Goulding, CfA
Description: Abstract: Rapidly accreting supermassive black holes (BHs), in the form of active galactic nuclei (AGN), are capable of releasing enormous quantities of energy, often comparable to the binding energy of a massive galaxy. However, little is known about the important interaction between AGN and their host galaxies. An outstanding problem is that the majority of BHs are hidden from our line-of-sight by obscuring gas and dust. In this talk, I will discuss our recent results combining multiwavelength datasets to build the most complete census of all nearby accreting BHs and their host galaxies. We provide new constraints on the demographics of hidden AGN, the nature of the obscuring media, and further unveil the symbiosis of the galaxy and its growing central black hole.
Open To: General Public
Contact Information:
Laurelyn Celone
2034323392
laurelyn.celone@yale.edu
YCAA Seminar Kyle Willett, Minnesota University, Title: "Galaxy Zoo 2: From click to Detailed Morphologies for ~300,00 Galaxies in our Local Universe" - Tue, April 9, 2013
When: Tuesday, April 9, 2013 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Where:
Bass Center for Molecular and Structural Biology (BASS), 305 BASS
266 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT 06511
(Location is wheelchair accessible)
Tea will be served at 2:00pm in the 3rd floor hallway BASS
Tags: astrophysics, science, seminar, talk
Speaker/Performer: Kyle Willett, Minnesota University
Description: Abstract: Galaxies are the building blocks of much of the baryonic universe, and their morphologies provide powerful probes for their dynamical and evolutionary histories. The growing amount of data from large surveys means that populations of galaxies can now be studied over very large volumes, including both the faint end of the luminosity function and contributions from rarer objects. Accurate morphological classifications of such samples, though, still represents a challenge. Visual inspection of images still has significant advantages over even state-of-the-art software classifications, but the sample size makes this impractical for individual astronomers. I present results from Galaxy Zoo 2, a citizen science project that carried out detailed morphological classifications of more than a quarter-million galaxies from the SDSS DR7. This extends the original Galaxy Zoo project by including galactic disks, bars, bulges, and merger features, as well as quantifying the relative strengths of spiral arms and nuclear bulges. I demonstrate our method for turning the citizen scientist classifications into a public catalog, and compare the GZ2 results to other methods. I will also discuss early science results from the GZ2 data, including the demographics of the Hubble sequence at z~0.1.
Open To: General Public
Contact Information:
Laurelyn Celone
2034323392
laurelyn.celone@yale.edu
Where:
Bass Center for Molecular and Structural Biology (BASS), 305 BASS
266 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT 06511
(Location is wheelchair accessible)
Tea will be served at 2:00pm in the 3rd floor hallway BASS
Tags: astrophysics, science, seminar, talk
Speaker/Performer: Kyle Willett, Minnesota University
Description: Abstract: Galaxies are the building blocks of much of the baryonic universe, and their morphologies provide powerful probes for their dynamical and evolutionary histories. The growing amount of data from large surveys means that populations of galaxies can now be studied over very large volumes, including both the faint end of the luminosity function and contributions from rarer objects. Accurate morphological classifications of such samples, though, still represents a challenge. Visual inspection of images still has significant advantages over even state-of-the-art software classifications, but the sample size makes this impractical for individual astronomers. I present results from Galaxy Zoo 2, a citizen science project that carried out detailed morphological classifications of more than a quarter-million galaxies from the SDSS DR7. This extends the original Galaxy Zoo project by including galactic disks, bars, bulges, and merger features, as well as quantifying the relative strengths of spiral arms and nuclear bulges. I demonstrate our method for turning the citizen scientist classifications into a public catalog, and compare the GZ2 results to other methods. I will also discuss early science results from the GZ2 data, including the demographics of the Hubble sequence at z~0.1.
Open To: General Public
Contact Information:
Laurelyn Celone
2034323392
laurelyn.celone@yale.edu
YCAA Seminar Dave Minton, Purdue University, Title: "The Kuiper Belt Size Distribution as Revealed through Icy Satellite Craters" - Tue, April 2, 2013
When: Tuesday, April 2, 2013 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Where:
Bass Center for Molecular and Structural Biology (BASS), 305 BASS
266 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT 06511
(Location is wheelchair accessible)
Tea will be served at 2:00pm in the 4th floor Lounge JWG
Tags: astrophysics, science, seminar, talk
Speaker/Performer: Dave Minton, Purdue University
Description: Abstract:I will present the results of a study to use the size distributions of craters of icy satellites of Saturn and Jupiter to reveal the size distribution of Kuiper belt objects. We show that both ancient and young terrains on these icy satellites were bombarded by a common, heliocentric impactor population that evolved over time. In particular, this population experienced a strongly size-dependent depletion of its smallest members (bodies with diameters D<7 km), such that the least heavily cratered, and thus youngest terrains are best reproduced by the strongly depleted version of this population, while the most heavily cratered, and thus oldest terrains are best reproduced by a mixture of the depleted and non-depleted versions of this population. We find that this evolving population is consistent with estimates of the size-frequency distribution (SFD) of the scattered disk of the Kuiper belt over the size range where our two model-derived impactor SFDs overlap with ground and space-based telescope observations. In addition, the modern population is well matched by observations of comet nuclei. The apparent change from an ancient, small-body rich population to a modern, small-body poor population, as evidenced by the outer solar system cratering record, may help to constrain mechanisms for comet disruption.
Open To: General Public
Contact Information:
Laurelyn Celone
2034323392
laurelyn.celone@yale.edu
Where:
Bass Center for Molecular and Structural Biology (BASS), 305 BASS
266 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT 06511
(Location is wheelchair accessible)
Tea will be served at 2:00pm in the 4th floor Lounge JWG
Tags: astrophysics, science, seminar, talk
Speaker/Performer: Dave Minton, Purdue University
Description: Abstract:I will present the results of a study to use the size distributions of craters of icy satellites of Saturn and Jupiter to reveal the size distribution of Kuiper belt objects. We show that both ancient and young terrains on these icy satellites were bombarded by a common, heliocentric impactor population that evolved over time. In particular, this population experienced a strongly size-dependent depletion of its smallest members (bodies with diameters D<7 km), such that the least heavily cratered, and thus youngest terrains are best reproduced by the strongly depleted version of this population, while the most heavily cratered, and thus oldest terrains are best reproduced by a mixture of the depleted and non-depleted versions of this population. We find that this evolving population is consistent with estimates of the size-frequency distribution (SFD) of the scattered disk of the Kuiper belt over the size range where our two model-derived impactor SFDs overlap with ground and space-based telescope observations. In addition, the modern population is well matched by observations of comet nuclei. The apparent change from an ancient, small-body rich population to a modern, small-body poor population, as evidenced by the outer solar system cratering record, may help to constrain mechanisms for comet disruption.
Open To: General Public
Contact Information:
Laurelyn Celone
2034323392
laurelyn.celone@yale.edu
YCAA Seminar Meredith Hughes, Wesleyan University, Title:"Planet Formation through Radio Eyes" - Tue, March 26, 2013
When: Tuesday, March 26, 2013 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Where:
Bass Center for Molecular and Structural Biology (BASS), 305 BASS
266 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT 06511
(Location is wheelchair accessible)
Tea will be served at 2:00pm in the 4th floor Lounge JWG
Tags: astrophysics, science, seminar, talk
Speaker/Performer: Meredith Hughes, Wesleyan University
Description: Abstract: Circumstellar disks provide the raw material and initial conditions for planet formation. Once planets have formed, they inevitably interact with their natal material and produce dynamical signatures that we can read in the dust disk. This talk will trace the evolution of circumstellar disks from massive, gas-rich protoplanetary disks around pre-main sequence stars through the tenuous, dusty debris disks around main sequence stars. I will discuss projects I am pursuing at each stage using millimeter-wavelength interferometry to study the interaction between disk structure, planet formation, and the properties of young planetary systems. I will particularly highlight the transformative role that the ALMA observatory is already beginning to play in clarifying the process of planet formation.
Open To: General Public
Contact Information:
Laurelyn Celone
2034323392
laurelyn.celone@yale.edu
Where:
Bass Center for Molecular and Structural Biology (BASS), 305 BASS
266 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT 06511
(Location is wheelchair accessible)
Tea will be served at 2:00pm in the 4th floor Lounge JWG
Tags: astrophysics, science, seminar, talk
Speaker/Performer: Meredith Hughes, Wesleyan University
Description: Abstract: Circumstellar disks provide the raw material and initial conditions for planet formation. Once planets have formed, they inevitably interact with their natal material and produce dynamical signatures that we can read in the dust disk. This talk will trace the evolution of circumstellar disks from massive, gas-rich protoplanetary disks around pre-main sequence stars through the tenuous, dusty debris disks around main sequence stars. I will discuss projects I am pursuing at each stage using millimeter-wavelength interferometry to study the interaction between disk structure, planet formation, and the properties of young planetary systems. I will particularly highlight the transformative role that the ALMA observatory is already beginning to play in clarifying the process of planet formation.
Open To: General Public
Contact Information:
Laurelyn Celone
2034323392
laurelyn.celone@yale.edu
YCAA Seminar Renee Hlozek, Princeton University, Title: "New Results from the Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT): Cosmological Parameter from Three Seasons of Data" - Tue, March 5, 2013
When: Tuesday, March 5, 2013 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Where:
Bass Center for Molecular and Structural Biology (BASS), 305 BASS
266 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT 06511
(Location is wheelchair accessible)
Tea will be served at 2:00pm in the 3rd floor BASS
Tags: astrophysics, science, seminar, talk
Speaker/Performer: Dr. Renee Hlozek Princeton University
Description: Abstract: The Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT) has mapped the microwave sky to arcminute scales. We present constraints on parameters from the observations at 148 and 217 GHz respectively by ACT from three years of observations.
Efficient map-making and spectrum-estimation techniques allow us to probe the acoustic peaks deep into the damping tail, and allow for confirmation of the concordance model, and tests for deviations from the standard cosmological picture. We fit a model of primary cosmological and secondary foreground parameters to the dataset, including contributions from both the thermal and kinetic Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect, Poisson distributed and correlated infrared sources, radio sources and a term modeling the correlation between the thermal SZ effect and the Cosmic Infrared Background. We will describe the multi-frequency likelihood for the ACT data, and present constraints on a variety of cosmological parameters using this complete dataset.
Open To: General Public
Contact Information:
Laurelyn Celone
2034323392
laurelyn.celone@yale.edu
Where:
Bass Center for Molecular and Structural Biology (BASS), 305 BASS
266 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT 06511
(Location is wheelchair accessible)
Tea will be served at 2:00pm in the 3rd floor BASS
Tags: astrophysics, science, seminar, talk
Speaker/Performer: Dr. Renee Hlozek Princeton University
Description: Abstract: The Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT) has mapped the microwave sky to arcminute scales. We present constraints on parameters from the observations at 148 and 217 GHz respectively by ACT from three years of observations.
Efficient map-making and spectrum-estimation techniques allow us to probe the acoustic peaks deep into the damping tail, and allow for confirmation of the concordance model, and tests for deviations from the standard cosmological picture. We fit a model of primary cosmological and secondary foreground parameters to the dataset, including contributions from both the thermal and kinetic Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect, Poisson distributed and correlated infrared sources, radio sources and a term modeling the correlation between the thermal SZ effect and the Cosmic Infrared Background. We will describe the multi-frequency likelihood for the ACT data, and present constraints on a variety of cosmological parameters using this complete dataset.
Open To: General Public
Contact Information:
Laurelyn Celone
2034323392
laurelyn.celone@yale.edu
YCAA Seminar Sasha Tchekhovskoy, Princeton University, Title: "Getting the Most out of a Black Hole" - Tue, February 26, 2013
When: Tuesday, February 26, 2013 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Where:
Bass Center for Molecular and Structural Biology (BASS), 305 BASS
266 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT 06511
(Location is wheelchair accessible)
Tea will be served at 2:00pm at the 3rd floor BASS outside the auditorium
Tags: astrophysics, science, seminar, talk
Speaker/Performer: Sasha Tchekhovskoy, Princeton University
Description: Abstract: As black holes consume surrounding gas, they often produce collimated outflows, or jets. Recent progress in computer simulations of black hole accretion systems enables studies of jet formation in unprecedented detail. For the first time, 3D general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic numerical simulations allow determination of the maximum efficiency with which non-radiative accretion onto black holes can produce energy in the form of relativistic jets. I will present the dependence of this maximum efficiency on black hole spin and discuss the implications for quantifying black hole feedback in the form of relativistic outflows, and for probing strong-field gravity using jet observations. I will show how jets are produced in tilted black hole accretion systems, in which the axes of the disk and the black hole are mis-aligned, and discuss the astrophysical implications.
Open To: General Public
Contact Information:
Laurelyn Celone
2034323392
laurelyn.celone@yale.edu
Where:
Bass Center for Molecular and Structural Biology (BASS), 305 BASS
266 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT 06511
(Location is wheelchair accessible)
Tea will be served at 2:00pm at the 3rd floor BASS outside the auditorium
Tags: astrophysics, science, seminar, talk
Speaker/Performer: Sasha Tchekhovskoy, Princeton University
Description: Abstract: As black holes consume surrounding gas, they often produce collimated outflows, or jets. Recent progress in computer simulations of black hole accretion systems enables studies of jet formation in unprecedented detail. For the first time, 3D general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic numerical simulations allow determination of the maximum efficiency with which non-radiative accretion onto black holes can produce energy in the form of relativistic jets. I will present the dependence of this maximum efficiency on black hole spin and discuss the implications for quantifying black hole feedback in the form of relativistic outflows, and for probing strong-field gravity using jet observations. I will show how jets are produced in tilted black hole accretion systems, in which the axes of the disk and the black hole are mis-aligned, and discuss the astrophysical implications.
Open To: General Public
Contact Information:
Laurelyn Celone
2034323392
laurelyn.celone@yale.edu
Informal YCAA Seminar Daniel Stern, JPL: "The Junction between Mid-Infrared and X-Ray Astronomy: Recent Results from Spitzer, WISE and NuStar" - Tue, February 19, 2013
When: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Where:
Gibbs Laboratories (JWG), 164 J.W. Gibbs Laboratory
260 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT 06520
(Location is wheelchair accessible)
Bring your own lunch!
Tags: astrophysics, science, seminar, talk
Speaker/Performer: Dr. Daniel Stern, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Description: Abstract: I'll discuss recent results from topics that are well-addressed by both mid-infrared and high-energy X-ray astronomy: identifying and studying distant galaxy clusters, and understanding the full census of active galaxies in the Universe.
Open To: General Public
Contact Information:
Laurelyn Celone
2034323392
laurelyn.celone@yale.edu
Where:
Gibbs Laboratories (JWG), 164 J.W. Gibbs Laboratory
260 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT 06520
(Location is wheelchair accessible)
Bring your own lunch!
Tags: astrophysics, science, seminar, talk
Speaker/Performer: Dr. Daniel Stern, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Description: Abstract: I'll discuss recent results from topics that are well-addressed by both mid-infrared and high-energy X-ray astronomy: identifying and studying distant galaxy clusters, and understanding the full census of active galaxies in the Universe.
Open To: General Public
Contact Information:
Laurelyn Celone
2034323392
laurelyn.celone@yale.edu
YCAA Seminar Emily Rice, CUNY/AMNH Title:"Young Brown Dwarfs as Giant Exoplanet Analogs" - Tue, February 19, 2013
When: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Where:
Bass Center for Molecular and Structural Biology (BASS), 305
266 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT 06511
(Location is wheelchair accessible)
Tea will be served at 2:00pm in the 4th floor Lounge JWG
Tags: astrophysics, science, seminar, talk
Speaker/Performer: Emily Rice
Description: Abstract: Young brown dwarfs and directly-imaged giant exoplanets have enticingly similar photometric and spectroscopic characteristics, indicating that their cool, low gravity atmospheres should be studied in concert. We have identified, confirmed, and characterized several new young M and L type brown dwarfs and compared them to directly-imaged planetary-mass companions and exoplanets like 2MASS 1207b and HR8799b. While mid-to-late M dwarfs show clear kinematic membership in nearby moving groups and peculiar spectral features that are convincingly attributed to low surface gravity, L dwarfs are not as clearly assigned membership and the underlying physical causes of their peculiar spectral features are also more difficult to disentangle. A robust understanding of the near-infrared spectra of young brown dwarfs will be essential for characterizing the exoplanets observed at low spectral resolution by high contrast instruments like Project 1640, the Gemini Planet Imager, and SPHERE.
Open To: General Public
Contact Information:
Laurelyn Celone
2034323392
laurelyn.celone@yale.edu
Where:
Bass Center for Molecular and Structural Biology (BASS), 305
266 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT 06511
(Location is wheelchair accessible)
Tea will be served at 2:00pm in the 4th floor Lounge JWG
Tags: astrophysics, science, seminar, talk
Speaker/Performer: Emily Rice
Description: Abstract: Young brown dwarfs and directly-imaged giant exoplanets have enticingly similar photometric and spectroscopic characteristics, indicating that their cool, low gravity atmospheres should be studied in concert. We have identified, confirmed, and characterized several new young M and L type brown dwarfs and compared them to directly-imaged planetary-mass companions and exoplanets like 2MASS 1207b and HR8799b. While mid-to-late M dwarfs show clear kinematic membership in nearby moving groups and peculiar spectral features that are convincingly attributed to low surface gravity, L dwarfs are not as clearly assigned membership and the underlying physical causes of their peculiar spectral features are also more difficult to disentangle. A robust understanding of the near-infrared spectra of young brown dwarfs will be essential for characterizing the exoplanets observed at low spectral resolution by high contrast instruments like Project 1640, the Gemini Planet Imager, and SPHERE.
Open To: General Public
Contact Information:
Laurelyn Celone
2034323392
laurelyn.celone@yale.edu
YCAA Seminar Daryl Haggard, Northwestern University, Title: Prospects for Observing the Sgr A*/G2 Encounter" - Tue, February 12, 2013
When: Tuesday, February 12, 2013 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Where:
Bass Center for Molecular and Structural Biology (BASS), 305 BASS
266 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT 06511
(Location is wheelchair accessible)
Tea will be served at 2:00pm in the 4th floor Lounge JWG
Tags: astrophysics, science, seminar, talk
Speaker/Performer: Daryl Haggard, Northwestern University
Description: Abstract: The recent discovery of a dense, cold cloud (dubbed ``G2'') approaching the SMBH at our Galactic Center offers an unprecedented opportunity to test models of AGN accretion and its associated feedback. G2's orbit is eccentric and the cloud already shows signs of tidal disruption by the black hole. High-energy emission from Sgr A* will likely increase significantly due to this encounter, peaking at pericenter (mid-to-late 2013). This encounter is also likely to ignite flares across the electromagnetic spectrum --- multiwavelength monitoring of the event is thus critical for constraining theories that seek to explain the cloud's origins and structure, as well as the evolution of the SMBH's activity during the deposit of G2's gas into Sgr A*'s sphere of influence. I will summarize what we know about the SgrA*/G2 encounter, outline the theoretical work that has been done to-date, and describe some of the multiwavelength observing programs planned for the coming year.
Open To: General Public
Contact Information:
Laurelyn Celone
2034323392
laurelyn.celone@yale.edu
Where:
Bass Center for Molecular and Structural Biology (BASS), 305 BASS
266 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT 06511
(Location is wheelchair accessible)
Tea will be served at 2:00pm in the 4th floor Lounge JWG
Tags: astrophysics, science, seminar, talk
Speaker/Performer: Daryl Haggard, Northwestern University
Description: Abstract: The recent discovery of a dense, cold cloud (dubbed ``G2'') approaching the SMBH at our Galactic Center offers an unprecedented opportunity to test models of AGN accretion and its associated feedback. G2's orbit is eccentric and the cloud already shows signs of tidal disruption by the black hole. High-energy emission from Sgr A* will likely increase significantly due to this encounter, peaking at pericenter (mid-to-late 2013). This encounter is also likely to ignite flares across the electromagnetic spectrum --- multiwavelength monitoring of the event is thus critical for constraining theories that seek to explain the cloud's origins and structure, as well as the evolution of the SMBH's activity during the deposit of G2's gas into Sgr A*'s sphere of influence. I will summarize what we know about the SgrA*/G2 encounter, outline the theoretical work that has been done to-date, and describe some of the multiwavelength observing programs planned for the coming year.
Open To: General Public
Contact Information:
Laurelyn Celone
2034323392
laurelyn.celone@yale.edu
YCAA Seminar Amy Barr, Brown University Title: "Formation and Geodynamical Evolution of Kuiper Belt Objects:Perspectives from Icy Satellites" - Tue, February 5, 2013
When: Tuesday, February 5, 2013 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Where:
Bass Center for Molecular and Structural Biology (BASS), 305 BASS
266 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT 06511
(Location is wheelchair accessible)
Tea will be served at 2:00pm at the 3rd floor BASS outside the auditorium
Tags: astrophysics, science, seminar, talk
Speaker/Performer: Amy Barr, Brown University
Description: Abstract: Despite their cold and sparse environment at the edge of the solar system, observations of the surfaces and estimates of the mean densities of Kuiper Belt Objects provide subtle clues that these bodies may have experienced some compositional and thermal evolution.
I will review observational constraints on the densities of KBO's and possible causes for correlations between size, dynamical state, and perceived level of interior activity. A review of processes that can modify the mean density of KBO's, with special emphasis on impacts, will be presented. I will also discuss the modification of interior states by accretional heating, impacts, short- and long-lived radiogenic heating, and heat transfer by convection and conduction. Finally, I will describe the types of observations most valuable for deducing the interior states of KBO's.
Open To: General Public
Contact Information:
Laurelyn Celone
2034323392
laurelyn.celone@yale.edu
Where:
Bass Center for Molecular and Structural Biology (BASS), 305 BASS
266 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT 06511
(Location is wheelchair accessible)
Tea will be served at 2:00pm at the 3rd floor BASS outside the auditorium
Tags: astrophysics, science, seminar, talk
Speaker/Performer: Amy Barr, Brown University
Description: Abstract: Despite their cold and sparse environment at the edge of the solar system, observations of the surfaces and estimates of the mean densities of Kuiper Belt Objects provide subtle clues that these bodies may have experienced some compositional and thermal evolution.
I will review observational constraints on the densities of KBO's and possible causes for correlations between size, dynamical state, and perceived level of interior activity. A review of processes that can modify the mean density of KBO's, with special emphasis on impacts, will be presented. I will also discuss the modification of interior states by accretional heating, impacts, short- and long-lived radiogenic heating, and heat transfer by convection and conduction. Finally, I will describe the types of observations most valuable for deducing the interior states of KBO's.
Open To: General Public
Contact Information:
Laurelyn Celone
2034323392
laurelyn.celone@yale.edu
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