Series: Astronomy Colloquium
Date: Wednesday 23-Apr-2025
Time: 16:05-17:00 (4:05-5:00 pm)
Location: ATL 2400
Speaker: Dr. Rachel Osten (STSci)
Title: Stellar Flares in a New Light
The Sun and other stars on the main sequence with an outer convection zone undergo sporadic increases in brightness over short timescales; these flares are the most dramatic examples of variability these stars will experience while they are on the main sequence. The radiation and particles involved in these events have the potential to impact not only the star itself, but the surrounding environment which may include a planet-forming disk or even close-in planets. The study of flares on the Sun and other stars has a long history, yet results in the last few years from observations and modelling in the stellar regime are upending our understanding, revealing complexities to a simple solar-stellar connection. In this talk I will focus on recent progress in studying flares as part of stellar eruptive events and earching for signatures of stellar coronal mass ejections; new information about particle acceleration revealed with mm and ultraviolet flare observations; and the emerging crisis about what optical flares tell us about the flare process.
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. Richard Mushotzky. 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. Richard Mushotzky for details.
Colloquium Organizer:
Dr. Richard Mushotzky
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.
