Title: Kinetic and Two-Temperature Physics of Black Hole Accretion Disks and X-ray Coronae  Abstract: Understanding the plasma physics of accretion disks and coronae around black holes is crucial for interpreting the radiation observed from these systems. However, these plasmas span several different physical regimes. They can be highly collisional and well-described by a single temperature, or … Continue reading "CRA Seminar: Lia Hankla (UM)"

Title: Exoplanets: Diverse Architectures and Unified Origin Abstract: While the exoplanetary field is replete with remarkable discoveries, perhaps the two most intriguing findings have been the detection of hot Jupiters – giant planets orbiting perilously close to their parent stars, and the startling abundance of super-Earths – a type of world entirely missing from our … Continue reading "CRA Seminar: Songhu Wang (IUB)"

Title: The Path to a Next Generation Gamma-ray Observatory Abstract:  The Compton Gamma-ray Observatory was a one of the four original NASA Great Observatories and changed our view of the high energy universe.  Its successors (INTEGRAL, Swift, and Fermi) have expanded this view and are still contributing in new and exciting ways.  There are also … Continue reading "CRA Seminar: Jeremy Perkins (NASA)"