Astrophysics of Massive Black Hole Coalescence

Center for Gravitational Wave Physics
Penn State University
18-22 November, 2002

Organizers:

• Chris Mihos (Case Western Reserve University)
• Ramesh Narayan (Harvard University)
• Steinn Sigurdsson (Penn State Center for Gravitational Wave Physics)

Focus sessions are small, intense, expert meetings on a well-defined set of scientific questions. The emphasis is on discussion, understanding and future planning.

Topic:
This focus session's goal is to examine critically questions associated with mergers of supermassive black holes (SMBHs) in galactic nuclei, which are anticipated to be an important source of gravitational wave signals for the planned LISA Observatory and its proposed successor missions.

The focus session will concentrate on the question: What processes help or hinder mergers of SMBH binaries? We wish to consider the stellar dynamical, hydrodynamical and computational physics issues related to mergers, and to derive estimates of, or constraints on, the rate of SMBH mergers in the universe.

Applications:
To maintain the kind of intimate atmosphere conducive to expert discussion, attendance at this focus session is limited. You may apply to attend this focus session by filling out the application form at this link. The closing date for applications is 15 September 2002. The scientific organizing committee will make its selections and inform applicants of its decision immediately after that date. Preference will be given to applications from graduate students and younger researchers

Registration Fee:

To help defray the expense of this meeting participants are asked to pay a registration fee of US$35/person.

For more information on this focus session, please contact either the organizing committee.