Join us for another exciting lecture in Astrophysics
Please join us for a public lecture in astrophysics as part of a larger celebration of Dr. Brian McNamara, the Chair of Physics and Astronomy who's turning 65!
We are pleased to welcome Dr. Helen Russell from the University of Nottingham, a friend and colleague of Dr. McNamara. Her lecture, entitled, Black Hole Feedback, will showcase some of their research from Chandra, ALMA and their current work with XRISM.
Amidst the discussion, extend your greetings and pay tribute to Brian on his 65th birthday. As a distinguished figure in the field of dark matter, including black holes, Brian will also be on hand to welcome Dr. Russell.
Location: Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) 0101, University of Waterloo
Doors Open: 6:00 p.m.
Lecture Begins: 6:30 p.m.
Light snacks will be provided. Cash bar available.
Questions? scienceadvancement@uwaterloo.ca
Dr. Helen Russell Presents: Black Hole Feedback
Modern astronomy seeks to understand how galaxies seen in the local Universe formed in the thirteen billion years since the Big Bang. Computer simulations can successfully reproduce the structure of the Universe on large scales but typically fail when we zoom in on individual galaxies. In particular, the largest galaxies are predicted to be awash with cold gas and young stars, when in reality they are gas-poor and dormant. Additional physics is needed.
Known as feedback, the high-energy processes around supermassive black holes are thought to drive gas out of galaxies and shut down star formation. These black holes lie at the centre of every galaxy, including our Milky Way, but we do not yet understand how they can limit the growth of an entire galaxy. Dr. Russell will review our understanding of feedback, her recent discoveries with current telescopes and the exciting potential of the newly launched XRISM observatory.