The High Energy Universe by Joseph Silk

View the sky through an x-ray telescope and the conception of the universe changes dramatically.

Black holes are best seen in x-rays, because impinging gas collides with the black hole at near light speed, resulting in intense x-ray and gamma ray emission. Optical light also plays a role in discovering black holes since the most luminous objects in the universe emit bursts of gamma radiation which only lasts minutes, but leaves an optical afterglow.

No reservations are required for this lecture. It will be run on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. Doors will open 30 minutes before the start of the lecture.