Organized by: Prof. Lu Lu

Events on Thursday, January 26th, 2017

Multi-messenger searches for astrophysical sources at ultra-high energies

Time: 2:30 pm

Place: 5280 Chamberlin Hall

Speaker: Foteini Oikonomou, Penn State University

Abstract: The question of the origin of ultra high energy, > 10^19 eV, cosmic rays (UHECRs) remains unanswered, although experimental searches in the last decade have yielded important results, and insights about the universe at ultra-high energies. I will discuss the interpretation of the most recent measurements of the extensive air-showers produced by UHECRs, and outline current strategies aiming to answer the question of UHECR origin. Emphasis will be given to studies of UHECR arrival directions, searches for single UHECR sources through their secondary gamma-ray and neutrino signatures, and the nascent program, by the Pierre Auger Observatory, of real-time searches for transient UHE emission, as part of multi-messenger monitoring networks.

Host: Stefan Westerhoff

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Discovering a new approach to cosmology with the Dark Energy Survey and Gravitational Waves

Time: 4:00 pm

Place: 4274 Chamberlin Hall

Speaker: Marcelle Soares-Santos, Fermi Lab

Abstract: Motivated by the exciting prospect of new wealth of information that will arise from observations of gravitational and electromagnetic radiation from the same astrophysical phenomena, the Dark Energy Survey (DES) Collaboration has performed a broad range follow-up program for LIGO/Virgo events using its Camera (DECam). In this talk, I present an overview of this effort, including results of searches for signatures of the first two LIGO-triggered binary black hole mergers in the 2015-2016 observing campaign and status of the ongoing 2016-2017 campaign. I will also discuss plans for upcoming seasons and long term prospects for this exciting emerging field: multi-messenger cosmology with gravitational waves and optical data.

Host: Sridhara Dasu

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