Monte Carlo Simulation and Balloon-Borne Observation of Energetic Radiations and Electromagnetic Fields from Thunderstorms and Lightning   Mahdi Bagheri Space Science Center and Physics Department, University of New Hampshire   Abstract: Lightning is one of the most energetic geophysical phenomena, producing the brightest light and loudest sound commonly occurring on Earth. Because of its high … Continue reading "CRA Seminar: Mahdi Bagheri (University of New Hampshire)"

Title: How Black Holes Dine above the Eddington "Limit" without Overeating or Excessive Belching Abstract The study of super-Eddington accretion is essential to our understanding of the growth of super-massive black holes in the early universe, the accretion of tidally disrupted stars, and the nature of ultraluminous X-ray sources. Unfortunately, this mode of accretion is … Continue reading "CRA seminar: Prof. Shane Davis (University of Virginia)"

Probing neutron star physics with gravitational wave detections The recent detection of the binary neutron star merger event (GW170817) has marked the beginning of multi-messenger astronomy with gravitational waves. In this talk I will briefly review current findings associated with GW170817 and introduce new opportunities from future detections. In the first part, I will explain … Continue reading "CRA Seminar: Prof. Huan Yang (Perimeter Institute)"

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)"