Perimeter Institute: The Cosmic Gift of Neutron Stars
Prof. Victoria Kaspi, Department of Physics, McGill University
Neutron stars are a celestial gift to scientists. These incredibly dense collapsed stars act as very precise cosmic beacons that help shed light on some of the most challenging problems in modern physics.
In her Feb. 3 talk at Perimeter Institute, astrophysicist Victoria Kaspi will explore these strange objects, explain how astronomers are using them to study issues ranging from the origins of the universe to the very nature of matter, and even let the audience hear the cosmic symphony they create.
“I love understanding,” Kaspi says of her research. “I love when a puzzle suddenly comes together. And it’s nice to be able to share that kind of discovery.”
Kaspi’s work consists of using radio and x-ray astronomy techniques to study rapidly rotating, highly magnetized neutron stars. She has done significant work involving radio pulsars and magnetars – the most highly magnetized objects in the known universe. More recently she had begun working to understand Fast Radio Bursts, a newly recognized astrophysical phenomenon involving few-millisecond radio bursts of unknown origin.
Following her talk, Kaspi will answer questions from the online and in-house audience – including questions submitted prior to and during the talk via Facebook and Twitter (using the hashtag #piLIVE). Questions are welcomed from everyone – aspiring scientific explorers, school classes, physics and chemistry buffs, and general science enthusiasts.
ABOUT VICTORIA KASPI
A professor of physics at McGill University, Kaspi holds the Lorne Trottier Chair in Astrophysics and Cosmology, and a Canada Research Chair in Observational Astrophysics. She is also the Director of the newly created McGill Space Institute. Before joining the McGill faculty in 2000, Kaspi completed a BSc degree at McGill, as well as earning MA and PhD degrees from Princeton University. She has also held the Hubble Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and California Institute of Technology, and was previously an Assistant Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
NEW WAITING LINE EXPERIENCE
There will be a waiting line for last minute cancelled (or ‘no show’) seats on the night of the lecture. Doors open at 5:30 pm. Come to Perimeter and pick-up a waiting line chit at the Waiting Line sign and then participate in pre-lecture activities - no need to wait in line. An announcement will be made in the Bistro at 6:45pm if theatre seats are available. Note: you must arrive in person to be part of the waiting line and be in the Bistro when the waiting line announcement is made.
NO DISAPPOINTMENTS
Everyone who comes to Perimeter will be able to participate in the lecture. The public lecture will be shown simultaneously on closed circuit television in the licensed comfort of the Black Hole Bistro for any members of the waiting line who are not able to get a theatre seat.
LIVE WEBCAST ONLINE
Enjoy the live webcast of Perimeter Institute Public Lectures from the comfort of your own home. Join us at 7pm ET night of the lecture and be part of the ONLINE virtual audience.
For most lectures the on-demand playback will be online within 24 hours after the live event. Check our YouTube page for the playbacks.
Who can attend: Everyone
Fee: Attendance to the lecture is free, but advance tickets are required. Due to the overwhelming response to past lectures, tickets will be honoured until 6:45 pm only. If you have not arrived by 6:45 pm your reservation may be filled by guests in the waiting line, and you may be asked to join the end of the waiting line.
Tickets: Tickets will be available online on Monday, Jan.18 starting at 9:00 am.
Organized by: Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
Location: Perimeter Institute, Mike Lazaridis Theatre of Ideas, 31 Caroline St. N., Waterloo, ON
http://www.perimeterinstitute.ca/outreach/general-public/public-lecture-series