SCP Statutory Public Lecture: February 10, 2020 – Professor Heino Falcke
Speaker : Professor Heino Falcke, Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Title : The First Image of a Black Hole
Abstract: One of the most bizarre, but perhaps also most fundamental predictions of Einstein’s theory of general relativity are black holes. They are extreme concentrations of matter with a gravitational attraction so strong, that not even light can escape. The inside of black holes is shielded from observations by an event horizon, a virtual one-way membrane through which matter, light and information can enter but never leave. This loss of information, however, contradicts some basic tenets of quantum physics. Does such an event horizon really exist? What are its effects on the ambient light and surrounding matter? How does a black hole really look? Can one see it? Recently we have made the first image of a black hole and detected its dark shadow in the radio galaxy M87 with the global Event Horizon Telescope experiment. Detailed supercomputer simulations faithfully reproduce these observations. Simulations and observations together provide strong support for the notion that we are literally looking into the abyss of the event horizon of a supermassive black hole. The talk will review the latest results of the Event Horizon Telescope, its scientific implications and future expansions of the array.
Short bio :
Heino Falcke is professor of astroparticle physics and radio astronomy at the Radboud University in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. He is chair of the science council of the Event Horizon Telescope, member of the royal Netherlands academy for arts and science, knight in the order of the Dutch lion, and recipient of the Spinoza price, the highest science award of the Netherlands.
The Theroretical Physics theme for the 80th anniversary is
"Quantum, Inifinity and Beyond"
The events will tie in the main research topics of the School and draw on its rich history.
More on DIAS 2020 can be found here:
dias.ie/dias2020/
DIAS School of Theoretical Physics is one of the two founding Schools. It's first Director was the renowned Physicist Erwin Schrödinger, and the School can boast a number of other big names in Irish and International physics and mathematics.
#DIASdiscovers
On 5th February 1943, Nobel Prize-winning physicist, Prof Erwin Schrödinger, then Director of Theoretical Physics at DIAS, delivered the first of his renowned ‘What is Life?’ lectures. He delivered further lectures in his ‘What is Life?’ series over the following month.
Big Thank you to @hfalcke, for our School of Cosmic Physics Statutory Public Lecture on "The first image of a Black Hole" yesterday evening. Here he is pictured with @TomRayDIAS in @ucddublin#DIASdiscovers
Leave a Comment
Last Updated: 30th January 2020 by Anne Grace
SCP Statutory Public Lecture: February 10, 2020 – Professor Heino Falcke
Speaker : Professor Heino Falcke, Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Title : The First Image of a Black Hole
Abstract: One of the most bizarre, but perhaps also most fundamental predictions of Einstein’s theory of general relativity are black holes. They are extreme concentrations of matter with a gravitational attraction so strong, that not even light can escape. The inside of black holes is shielded from observations by an event horizon, a virtual one-way membrane through which matter, light and information can enter but never leave. This loss of information, however, contradicts some basic tenets of quantum physics. Does such an event horizon really exist? What are its effects on the ambient light and surrounding matter? How does a black hole really look? Can one see it? Recently we have made the first image of a black hole and detected its dark shadow in the radio galaxy M87 with the global Event Horizon Telescope experiment. Detailed supercomputer simulations faithfully reproduce these observations. Simulations and observations together provide strong support for the notion that we are literally looking into the abyss of the event horizon of a supermassive black hole. The talk will review the latest results of the Event Horizon Telescope, its scientific implications and future expansions of the array.
Short bio :
Heino Falcke is professor of astroparticle physics and radio astronomy at the Radboud University in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. He is chair of the science council of the Event Horizon Telescope, member of the royal Netherlands academy for arts and science, knight in the order of the Dutch lion, and recipient of the Spinoza price, the highest science award of the Netherlands.
Date : 19:00, February 10, 2020
Venue: George Moore Auditorium,
UCD O’Brien Centre for Science,
UCD Dublin 4
Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/kKexsyCBjcyhWbwE9
Admission : free but booking is essential
Category: Astronomy and Astrophysics, Astronomy and Astrophysics Section News & Events, DIAS, Major Event
The Theroretical Physics theme for the 80th anniversary is "Quantum, Inifinity and Beyond" The events will tie in the main research topics of the School and draw on its rich history. More on DIAS 2020 can be found here: dias.ie/dias2020/
DIAS School of Theoretical Physics is one of the two founding Schools. It's first Director was the renowned Physicist Erwin Schrödinger, and the School can boast a number of other big names in Irish and International physics and mathematics. #DIASdiscovers
DIAS & @esa Solar Orbiter. Professor Peter Gallagher and Dr Shane Maloney worked on the recently launched space mission. dias.ie/2020/02/11/dia… #DIASdiscovers #WeAreAllSolarOrbiters #SolarOrbiter
On 5th February 1943, Nobel Prize-winning physicist, Prof Erwin Schrödinger, then Director of Theoretical Physics at DIAS, delivered the first of his renowned ‘What is Life?’ lectures. He delivered further lectures in his ‘What is Life?’ series over the following month.
@petertgallagher will be on @PatKennyNT at 11.20 talking about the @esa #SolarOrbiter launch that took place at 4.03 yesterday morning from Cape Canaveral. ☀️🛰️ Listen now: newstalk.com #DIASdiscovers
Big Thank you to @hfalcke, for our School of Cosmic Physics Statutory Public Lecture on "The first image of a Black Hole" yesterday evening. Here he is pictured with @TomRayDIAS in @ucddublin #DIASdiscovers
ICYMI: DIAS SCIENTISTS DISCOVER DISAPPEARANCE OF LARGE PARTS OF TECTONIC PLATE BENEATH AFRICA researchandinnovation.ie/dias-scientist… #DIASdiscovers
Tickets still available for our Statutory Public Lecture this evening by @hfalcke: “The First Image of a Black Hole” More here➡️eventbrite.ie/e/dias-scp-sta… Tickets are free! #DIASdiscovers #blackhole