Observational tests of general relativity with black hole inspiral, coalescence, and ringdown Prof. Lee Samuel Finn (Penn State University) Website: https://www.phys.psu.edu/people/lsf5 Abstract: As far as it has been tested, general relativity “works”; however, tests of general relativity are spotty in their coverage and - especially in the dynamical regime - leave much to be desired … Continue reading "CRA Seminar: Lee Samuel Finn (Penn State University)"

Title: “I Like to Myself Believe That Planet 5 Turns Slowly” Abstract: Within the general framework of the core-nucleated accretion theory of giant planet formation, the conglomeration of massive gaseous envelopes is facilitated by a transient period of rapid accumulation of nebular material. While the concurrent build-up of angular momentum is expected to leave newly … Continue reading "CRA seminar: Prof. Konstantin Batygin (Caltech)"

Title: “Time Domain Astronomy with the Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor in the Multimessenger Era” Abstract: On August 17, 2017, a new era in astronomy began with the detection of merging neutron stars in gravitational waves by LIGO/Virgo followed 1.7 seconds later by the detection of a short gamma-ray burst (GRB) with Fermi GBM. This short … Continue reading "CRA seminar (Dr. Colleen Wilson-Hodge)"

Jason Gallicchio and Brian Shuve from Harvey Mudd College Title: Improving Tests of Quantum Entanglement by using Light from Distant Quasars Abstract: Quantum entanglement, described by Einstein as "spooky action at a distance," is both fascinating philosophically and is the basis for quantum computing and quantum encryption. For this reason, it deserves to be tested … Continue reading "CRA special seminar: Jason Gallicchio and Brian Shuve (Harvey Mudd College)"

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Title: Change and Observables in Hamiltonian General Relativity   Abstract: Canonical (Hamiltonian) General Relativity and the associated project in quantum gravity are said to suffer from a problem of missing change, especially in "observables": part of the "problem of time." This talk addresses this problem by reflecting on definitions of observables. Typically observables in Hamiltonian … Continue reading "CRA Seminar: Dr. J. Brian Pitts (University of Cambridge)"