Series: Astronomy Colloquium
Date: Wednesday 08-Feb-2023
Time: 16:05-17:00 (4:05-5:00 pm)
Location: ATL 2400
Speaker: Dr. Shmuel Bialy (University of Maryland)
Title: How do stars shape interstellar gas? cosmic rays -- supernova -- UV radiation
Stars form in interstellar clouds through gravitational collapse. Once the stars form,
they begin injecting energy back into the interstellar medium, which regulates the
next-generation star-formation process. In this talk, I will review key aspects of
this feedback process, focusing on the interaction of supernovae, cosmic rays, and
far-UV radiation with interstellar clouds. I will discuss our recent discovery of
the "Per-Tau Shell", a gigantic 3D shell of gas and dust in the solar vicinity, that
is actively forming new stars. This provides the first 3D observational evidence for
the constructive aspect of supernovae, where instead of destroying clouds, supernovae
promote cloud condensation and trigger the formation of a new generation of stars.
Supernovae are also the dominant sites of acceleration of cosmic rays. I will discuss
a new way of constraining the cosmic-ray interstellar spectrum at low energies (E
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.
