High mass star formation towards G358.69+0.03

Master Colloquium
Anahat Cheema
SCHEDULED
MPIfR

In our work, we investigate the high mass star formation activity in the region centered at (l,b)=(358.69°, 0.03°) near the Galactic center. In order to identify and characterise the HII regions, we use data from the GLOSTAR survey, which is a wideband radio (4-8 GHz) survey of the Milky Way combining data from the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) and the Effelsberg 100m telescope. Using BLOBCAT source extraction software which uses flood-fill algorithm to detect sources in 2 dimensional astronomical images, we identified 46 radio sources in the region. Candidate HII regions are cataloged based on association with at least one multiwavelength counterpart. For this, we used mid-infrared (GLIMPSE, MIPSGAL and WISE), far-infrared (Hi-GAL) and submillimeter (ATLASGAL) archival data. In total, we have identified 43 HII region candidates. We compute the properties of these HII regions, such as the Lyman continuum photon rate, ZAMS spectral type, dynamical age etc. The HII region candidates are distributed in a ring-like formation. We also observe enhancement of ATLASGAL clumps and infrared sources towards south-east of the ring, suggesting triggered star formation in the region.

Mapping the Milky Way: Galactic cartography in the age of high precision parallaxes

Main Colloquium
Dr. Ronald Drimmel
SCHEDULED
Osservatorio astrofisico di Torino, INAF (Italy)

Galactic studies is undergoing a renaissance in the current decade, thanks not only to Gaia, but to ground-breaking astrometry in the NIR and radio. I will give an update on the latest Gaia results following on the it's last data release about the structure of our Galaxy, with particular focus on the disk. Thanks to a recent Lorentz Center workshop with the same title as this talk, I will attempt to put Gaia's contribution in the context of other recent results from the NIR and radio. Integrating all these together I hope to share what we are learning and hope to soon learn about the Milky Way.

A challenge to the standard cosmological model

Special Colloquium
Prof. Subir Sarkar
SCHEDULED
University of Oxford

In the ΛCDM cosmological model the Universe is assumed to be isotropic & homogeneous when averaged on large scales. That the CMB has a dipole anisotropy is interpreted as due to our peculiar motion because of local inhomogeneity. There should then be a similar dipole in the sky distribution of high redshift sources. Using catalogues of radio sources and quasars we find that this expectation is rejected at >5σ, i.e. the distribution of distant matter is not isotropic in the 'CMB frame’. This calls into question the standard practice of boosting to this frame to analyse cosmological data, in particular to infer isotropic acceleration of the Hubble expansion rate from Type Ia supernovae, which is interpreted as due to Λ.

Constraining scalarization in Gauss-Bonnet gravity through binary pulsars

Special Colloquium
Dr. Daniela Doneva
SCHEDULED
Theoretische Astrophysik Eberhard-Karls-Universitat Tuebingen

Gravity models admitting scalarization are attracting considerable attention due to their natural ability to evade constraints from weak field observations. In the present talk, I will discuss one such modified theory of gravity, namely the scalar-Gauss-Bonnet gravity. It offers the possibility for spontaneous growth of scalar hair both for neutron stars and black holes with a trigger of the process being the curvature of the spacetime itself. I will discuss the sectors of the theory that have already been tested with binary pulsar observations and what is the implication on black hole scalarization. Special attention will be paid to future prospects of testing further Gauss-Bonnet gravity in terms of theory development and pulsar observations.

What does gender have to do with physics?

Special Colloquium
Professor Tomas Brage
SCHEDULED
Lund University

Physics is often seen, by Physicists not the least, as objective and we believe we are surrounded by a "culture with no culture". At the same time our history, class and board rooms are dominated by men. This is a paradox that should awaken the curiosity of anyone. In this talk I will give some examples on how you can approach the question in the title. There have been several studies of Scientists and I will combine a discussion of these with some general theory and personal experiences, to paint a picture on how gender transgresses Physics, like all other fields. By using the levels of change introduced by Schiebinger, I refer to studies of e.g. Anthropologists, Sociologists and Psychologists. The bias against women, since Science is stereotypically male, combined with the "myth of meritocracy" could be key to understand the lack of women in the field. The talk is intended as a translation of results from recent progress in Gender Science to an audience of non-experts in the field, especially people within STEM-fields. The aim is to give some answers to the question in the title, but also to show that this is an extremely interesting and active field of research.

TBD

Main Colloquium
Prof. Thorsten Kleine
SCHEDULED
Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research

TBD

TBD

Special Colloquium
Dr. Vardha N. Bennert
SCHEDULED
CalPoly, San Luis Obispo

TBD

TBD

Promotionskolloquium
Hans Nguyen
SCHEDULED
MPIfR

TBD

Multi-messenger observations of cosmic collisions: progenitors, relativistic ejecta, and remnants

Main Colloquium
Prof. Alessandra Corsi
SCHEDULED
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, USA

The births and mergers of neutron stars and black holes, the most exotic objects in the universe, can launch the fastest cosmic jets and shake the very fabric of space-time with gravitational waves. GW170817, the merger of two neutron stars witnessed through both its gravitational wave siren and its glow at all wavelengths of light, marked the beginning of a golden age in multi-messenger astrophysics. Starting from the example of GW170817, I will show how observations at radio wavelengths can probe the ejecta and environments of compact binary mergers and help unveil their progenitors and remnants. I will then discuss opportunities and challenges ahead, as new observational facilities will transform a trickle of multi-messenger discoveries into a flood. I will conclude by highlighting prospects for extending the reach of radio and gravitational wave studies to the heaviest black holes in merging galaxies.