ELFT HÍRADÓ

[Bence Kocsis <bkocsis AT caesar.elte.hu>]

*ELTE Special Seminar*

Friday, November 22, 11:00
ELTE, Institute of Physics, Pazmany Peter setany 1/A, 0.100B lecture hall

*   Carole Mundell*
Professor of Extragalactic Astronomy, Head of Astrophysics at the
University of Bath, Head of the Department of Physics and Chief Scientific
Advisor, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, UK

200 years ago, ‘black holes’ remained an esoteric idea. Today, their
existence has been
confirmed experimentally but study of their origin and impact on their
surroundings
remain at the forefront of modern astronomy. Unable to travel to black
holes,
astronomers instead use the information encoded in light produced close to
the black
hole as a probe of their physical properties. Visible light to which our
human eyes are
most sensitive has enriched culture for thousands of years. However, this
represents
only a small fraction of the total light available for collection; recent
technological
advances have allowed astronomers to harvest light from across the
electromagnetic
spectrum and - with the first detection of gravitational waves from merging
black holes –
probe the nature of space time itself.

Professor Mundell will give a whirlwind tour of black holes, explaining
their importance
for galaxy evolution and the cataclysmic death of massive stars, and how
advanced
robotic technology is opening new windows on the black-hole driven dynamic
Universe
in the emerging era of multi-messenger astrophysics. In doing so, she will
give a flavour
of the hectic life of an astronomer in the modern era of robotic telescopes
and real-time
discoveries, whilst touching on the importance of ensuring the sustainable
and peaceful
use of space.

Prof. Carole Mundell is a world leading observation astrophysicist with
particular
expertise in radio astronomy. Appointed Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) at
the Foreign
and Commonwealth Office in October 2018, she provides science advice to
Ministers
and foreign policy-makers. She will also speak about her early experiences
in the role;
the international nature and importance of science collaboration; and how
science
conversations can support and enrich international relationships.

Everyone is welcome!