Hosted by Museum of Natural Sciences:
Supernova: The Violent Death of a Star
Massive stars end their lives in spectacular supernova explosions, visible across the Universe, that blast material into space that contributes to future generations of stars, produces cosmic rays, and stirs up interstellar gases. Many heavy elements, including the calcium in our bones and trace amounts of copper and zinc in our bodies, are formed only in supernovae; we are quite literally made of star stuff. Some supernovae can even be used to gauge distances to remote galaxies; from these we have learned the astonishing fact that the expansion of our Universe is actually picking up speed. Join us as we discuss ongoing work on supernovae, their remnants and related astronomical work.
About the Speaker:
Dr. Stephen Reynolds, professor of physics at NC State University, has been studying supernova remnants for almost 30 years. Reynolds' research focuses on the generation of cosmic rays by supernova remnants, involving theoretical work and observations with national radio-astronomical facilities and orbiting X-ray observing satellites. Reynolds and his colleagues recently made international headlines when they discovered the youngest-known remnant of a supernova in the Milky Way.
Wednesday January 28, 2009
6:30-8:30 pm, discussion beginning at 7 pm followed by Q&A
Location: Tir Na Nog 218 South Blount Street, Raleigh, 833-7795