Astrophysics Seminars

Apr
05
2011

Institute for Advanced Study Astrophysics Seminar

Galaxy Gas Flows
Mary Putman
11:00am|Bloomberg Hall Astrophysics Library
ABSTRACT: Many galaxies exhibit the need for a continual source of star formation fuel. Halo gas is a common feature of these galaxies, though utilizing this gas as fuel may require the gas to go through multiple phases. I will discuss new...
Mar
31
2011

Institute for Advanced Study Informal Astrophysics Seminar

Gravitational Wave Astronomy in the Advanced Detector Era
Sean T. McWilliams
11:30am|Bloomberg Hall Astrophysics Library
ABSTRACT: With the imminent start of Advanced LIGO/VIRGO observations, and the less imminent but much hoped-for advent of LISA, gravitational wave science will transition from a specialty of theoretical astrophysics and experimental interferometry...
Mar
24
2011

Institute for Advanced Study Informal Astrophysics Seminar

Super-Eddington Accretion Disks
11:30am|Bloomberg Hall Astrophysics Library
ABSTRACT: I will review our present understanding of super-Eddington atmospheres, as borne from theory and observations. In particular, I will show how atmospheres can sustain super-Eddington fluxes, while accelerating only ``moderate'' mass loss...
Mar
22
2011

Institute for Advanced Study Astrophysics Seminar

20th Century Global Warming - Anthropogenic or Solar?
11:00am|Bloomberg Hall Astrophysics Library
ABSTRACT: The 20th Century has seen a notable temperature rise, generally attributed to the greenhouse effect of anthropogenic gases, and a future "business as usual" policy is generally believed to be catastrophic. I will show, however, that the...
Mar
08
2011

Institute for Advanced Study Astrophysics Seminar

Magnetic Star - Disk Interactions and Spin-Orbit Misalignment in Exoplanetary Systems
11:00am|Bloomberg Hall Astrophysics Library
ABSTRACT: Recent observations have shown that in many exoplanetary systems, the spin axis of the parent star is misaligned with the angular momentum axis of the planet's orbit. This is unexpected as planets are formed in protostellar disks which are...