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Past Events
Follow the Energy: Probing the Extreme Universe with The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope
| Speaker: | Dr. Pablo M. Saz PARKINSON |
| Affiliation: | The University of Hong Kong / Santa Cruz Institute for Particle Physics, University of California Santa Cruz |
| Date: | January 6, 2016 (Wednesday) |
| Time: | 4:00 p.m. |
| Venue: | Room 105, 1/F, Chong Yuet Ming Physics Building |
Abstract
Astrophysics is often considered the oldest of the physical sciences, having been practiced since the 17th century by the likes of Galileo and Newton. High-energy astrophysics, however, is decidedly a "space age" discipline, relying on modern satellites and particle detectors to collect information on the highest energy photons, not accessible from the ground. The Fermi gamma-ray space telescope, in orbit since 2008, is the most sensitive gamma-ray detector ever built. With its recently upgraded capabilities and its large field of view that allows it to scan the entire sky every three hours, Fermi is providing an exquisite view of the dynamic universe at the highest energies. I will discuss how Fermi can shed light on some of the biggest questions in physics today; in particular, I will highlight the central role that pulsars are playing in this saga, as nature's most extreme cosmic laboratories.
Coffee and tea will be served 20 minutes prior to the seminar.
Anyone interested is welcome to attend.