Astrophysics

Abstract: One of the unique features of quantum gravity is the lack of local observables and completeness of boundary observables (e.g. S-matrix in flat space or CFT correlators in AdS). I will show that the existence of such boundary observables is...

Abstract: The bootstrap program leverages symmetry and positivity to carve out the space of consistent quantum theories. In this talk I will highlight some of its recent successes, ranging from the numerical solution of statistical models at...

The Bahcall Lunch follow the astrophysics colloquium lecture. Registration is required by 3pm the previous Friday so a meal can be provided. Please contact Amanda Cenker with questions.

The Event Horizon Telescope has allowed us to obtain direct images of two
black holes, the one in the center of the M87 galaxy and the one in the center of the
Milky Way, with horizon-scale resolution, full polarization, and timing information.
In...

Electron-only reconnection is a variant of magnetic reconnection without significant ion involvement. Such reconnection has recently been observed in the terrestrial magnetosheath and has received considerable attention due to its likely role in the...

Weak gravitational lensing by the intervening large-scale structure (LSS) of the Universe is the leading non-linear effect on the anisotropies of the cosmic microwave background (CMB). The integrated line-of-sight mass that causes the distortion --...

Abstract: I will discuss a direct rigorous mathematical proof of the Gregory--Laflamme instability for the 5D Schwarzschild black string. This is a mode instability at the level of the linearised vacuum Einstein equation. Under a choice of ansatz...

Debris disks provide exciting opportunities to study planet formation through the composition and architecture of planetary building blocks. The Spitzer Space Telescope Infrared Spectrograph (IRS)’s comprehensive survey of more than 500 debris disks...

Each week, we hold a relatively informal seminar/discussion series with an emphasis on extra-galactic and large-scale structure astrophysics.

During Galread a leader/visitor presents a recent paper to the discussion group. The PDF of the paper is...