Center for Gravitational Wave Physics Seminars and Events
Upcoming events
"Abhayfest"
June 4 - 6, 2009
On the occasion of Dr. Abhay Ashtekar's 60th Birthday, The Institute for Gravitation and the Cosmos will host Abhayfest 2009 at the Atherton Hotel, State College, Pa. The program will feature many prominent speakers and provide a broad perspective on research in classical general relativity, diverse approaches to quantum gravity and other related areas.
Probing Neutron Stars with Gravitational Waves
June 18 - June 20, 2009
Within the next decade gravitational-wave observations by ground-based interferometers will provide unprecedented opportunities to look directly into the dense interiors of neutron stars which are opaque to all forms of electromagnetic radiation. Gravitational waves can reveal bulk properties of neutron stars (masses, radii, locations...) as well as microphysical properties (crystalline structure, viscosity, composition...), some of which are inaccessible by other methods. Gravitational wave searches are more sensitive when combined with and informed by electromagnetic observations, and more information can be extracted from signals when they are detected.
The Penn State Center for Gravitational Wave Physics will host a workshop on this interdisciplinary opportunity June 18-20 on the University Park campus. The format involves invited presentations on selected topics and extensive discussion sessions between gravitational-wave scientists, astronomers and astrophysicsts, and nuclear and condensed matter physicists.