Title: Thermonuclear X-ray Bursts in the NICER Era Abstract: Thermonuclear X-ray bursts are sudden flashes observed from some low-mass X-ray binaries. Time-resolved spectral analysis and long-term observations have revealed that they occur due to the unstable thermonuclear burning of the accreted matter on the surface of the neutron star. They typically last a few tens of … Continue reading "CRA Seminar – Tolga Guver [Host Matthew Liska]"

Title: The Growth and Evolution of SMBHs via Galaxy Mergers Abstract: After decades of SMBH observations, the connection between AGN triggering and galaxy mergers remains incomplete, although AGN are likely key players in the evolution of massive galaxies. Theoretically, there are many reasons to expect a link between galaxy mergers and the accretion of material … Continue reading "CRA Seminar – Adi Foord, U. of Maryland Baltimore County [Host Tamara Bogdanovic]"

Title: Probing the inner geometry of AGN accretion flows and searching for SMBHB candidates in large optical sky surveys Abstract: Observations of the AGN Fairall 9 with NICER and Swift revealed a strong relationship between the flux of the UV continuum and the X-ray soft excess, indicating the presence of a “warm” Comptonized region which … Continue reading "CRA Seminar: Ethan Partington, IA-FORTH (Host Laura Cadonati)"

Title: The Origin of Supermassive Black Holes from Pop III.1 Seeds Abstract: The origin of supermassive black holes (SMBHs) is a key open question for contemporary astrophysics and cosmology. Here we discuss the predictions of a model of SMBH formation from Pop III.1 protostars, i.e., metal-free stars forming in locally isolated dark matter minihalos, where dark … Continue reading "Special CRA Seminar – Jonathan C. Tan [Host John Wise]"