Image from a MAYA collaboration numerical relativity simulation of a neutron star-black hole (NSBH) binary merger, showing the disruption of the neutron star.
Martin Wood Complex, Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PU
Professor Patrick Brady, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Black holes, neutron stars and gravitational waves: from a whisper to a symphony
The Wetton public lecture is part of the Philip Wetton Workshop, a forum for discussion of recent results on kilonovae and gamma-rays bursts and an opportunity to shape the future of this field of study.
Scientists first detected gravitational waves—ripples in spacetime predicted by Einstein—on 14 September 2015. That momentous discovery, a gravitational-wave whisper from two colliding black holes, opened an entirely new window onto the Universe. Marking the tenth anniversary of this breakthrough, Brady will recount how gravitational-wave astronomy has transformed from a bold experiment into a thriving field, revealing a symphony of signals from merging black holes and neutron stars. Along the way, you'll learn how gravitational waves are generated, what happens at the black hole event horizon, how neutron star collisions are responsible for most of the gold in our Universe, and what mysteries gravitational-wave astronomy may soon solve.
Join in person or online
This public lecture is free to attend in person (no prior registration required; attendees to be seated by 5.50pm) and will also be livestreamed at the following link: https://zoom.us/j/94185785751