Series: Astronomy Colloquium
Date: Wednesday 19-Apr-2023
Time: 16:05-17:00 (4:05-5:00 pm)
Location: ATL 2400
Speaker: Prof. Vikram Ravi (Caltech)
Title: The Deep Synoptic Array: fast radio burst probes of the unseen Universe
The origins of fast radio bursts (FRBs) at extragalactic distances remain shrouded in mystery. FRBs nonetheless form exquisite tracers of the contents and physical conditions of baryons along their sightlines. For example, FRBs are dispersed in intervening plasma columns, and these columns are typically dominated by gas around and in between galaxies. Much of the cosmic baryon content is locked in this hot (>10^6 K) and diffuse (<10^-3 cm^-3) phase, making it difficult to observe the processes whereby galaxies grow out of and impact their baryonic environments. he Deep Synoptic Array (DSA-110) radio telescope, nearing the end of construction at Caltech's Owens Valley Radio Observatory, is pinpointing FRBs to host galaxies at a world-leading rate. I will present the first results from a DSA-110 FRB sample. These results shed new light on the origins of FRBs, highlighting the roles of multiple progenitor channels. Certain DSA-110 discoveries also enable tantalizing measurements of the content of the Milky Way CGM, and the ICM of nearby massive galaxy clusters. I will conclude by introducing the upcoming DSA-2000 radio camera, which will transform our access to the radio sky. With unmatched survey speed for continuum, spectral-line and short-timescale emission in the 0.7-2GHz band, the DSA-2000 will address frontier questions on our cosmic history, and in multi-messenger and time-domain astrophysics.
In-person colloquia are usually preceded by espresso and ice cream at 1:45 pm outside room PSC 1150 and are followed by an informal reception at 5:15 pm in that room. Anyone interested in talking with the speaker, or being added to the colloquium announcement email list, should contact the colloquium organizer Dr. Leslie Sage. Lunch will normally be reserved for the speaker to talk to graduate students. Anyone asking a question during a talk is asked to raise their hand and be acknowledged before speaking. Contact Dr. Leslie Sage for details.
Colloquium Organizer:
Dr. Leslie Sage
Special accommodations for individuals with disabilities can be made by calling (301) 405-3001. It would be appreciated if we are notified at least one week in advance.
