Series: Astronomy Colloquium
Date: Wednesday 29-Jan-2020
Time: 16:05-17:00 (4:05-5:00 pm)
Location: ATL 2400
Speaker: Dr. M. Coleman Miller (University of Maryland)
Title: A NICER look at a neutron star
The cores of neutron stars contain matter in a state that cannot be probed in terrestrial laboratories. Thus observations of neutron stars are required to reduce our large uncertainty about the properties of such high-density cold matter. Knowledge of neutron star radii would be especially helpful, but most published radius estimates have potentially large systematic errors. Fortunately, studies in a number of papers over the last several years have shown that radius estimates from energy-dependent X-ray waveforms, i.e., the focus of NASA's Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER), appear to be free of such systematic errors and can achieve precisions that contribute significantly to our understanding of this important physical realm. I will describe the first mass-radius results from NICER and the implications for the state of cold matter above nuclear saturation density.
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. 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.
Colloquium Organizer:
Prof. Richard Mushotzy
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.
