Title: “The Extensive Young Supernova Remnant Population in the Face-on Spiral Galaxy M83”
Presented by: Dr. William Blair, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University
“The Department of Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences invites all to attend the Fall 2016 Seminar, with Dr. William Blair who will speak about The Extensive Young Supernova Remnant Population in the Face-on Spiral Galaxy M83. In our Galaxy and the galaxies of the Local Group, there are a relatively few examples of young supernova remnants (SNRs), and in particular those that have arisen from the explosion of massive stars. Hence, it has been difficult to understand the peculiarities of the individual objects as opposed to the properties of the class as a whole. In order to find a larger sample of young SNRs, we have observed the nearby face-on spiral galaxy M83, for which six or more supernovas have been observed directly in the last century. (Hence, many young SNRs should still be visible.) Our observations have involved both large ground-based telescopes (optical and radio) as well as both the Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Hubble Space Telescope in orbit. I will present our search for young SNRs in this galaxy, describe the surprising results (hint: it was not what we expected!), and discuss our current thoughts about what it all means.”
Date: Friday, November 18, 2016
Time: 11:00 am-Noon
Location: SM 356
