PHAS Colloquia

The Lessons Being Learned by Imaging Black Holes

by Chris White (University of California, Santa Barbara)

Tuesday, 16 March 2021 from to (America/Chicago)
Description
Speaker: Dr. Chris White (Kavli Institute of Theoretical Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara)

Title: The Lessons Being Learned by Imaging Black Holes

Abstract: What detailed physical processes occur next to a supermassive black hole? Recent observations by the Event Horizon Telescope and the GRAVITY interferometer have given us a direct glimpse into such environments, with more data on the way. I will discuss the implications from a theorist's point of view, including what our models do well, what needs to change, and what work we have ahead of us. In particular, questions such as "Is the plasma aligned with the black hole's spin?" and "How hot are the electrons?" showcase current gaps in our understanding.

About the speaker: Chris White is currently a Princeton/Flatiron postdoctoral fellow, specializing in computational astrophysics. He recently held a joint position at UC Berkeley and the Kavli Institute at UC Santa Barbara, after completing his PhD at Princeton in 2016. His research focuses on theoretical modeling of fluid dynamics and accretion flows, especially around black holes, using massive simulations.

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Join Zoom Meeting by clicking the link in the material below or
https://zoom.us/j/9952917599?pwd=MHdiOFRIRG1kVFJ2a1JjVXczVEVnUT09

Meeting ID: 995 291 7599
Passcode: PHAS

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Please also visit Department Colloquia webpage. Please find the link below more information.

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Material
Organised by Thomas Kupfer/ AST