Magnetars: How do we study the strongest magnets in the universe?

Name: Magnetars: How do we study the strongest magnets in the universe?
Start: 2024-07-04T21:00:00-04:00
End: 2024-07-04T23:00:00-04:00
Location: 255 Huron St, Toronto, ON M5S 3J1, Canada

Schedule

Thu Jul 04 2024 at 09:00 pm to 11:00 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

255 Huron St, Toronto, ON M5S 3J1, Canada | Toronto, ON

Talk: Thursday July 4, 2024. 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM EDT. McLennan Physical Laboratories.
Demos and telescope tours: Thursday July 4, 2024. 10:00 PM to 11:00 PM EDT.
Join us at the July AstroTour! The event is FREE and open to all. NO PRIOR REGISTRATION REQUIRED!! Our July AstroTour features PhD Candidate Jonathan Zhang's talk on magnetars, followed by exciting astronomy demos and telescope tours!
Talk abstract : Known as the most powerful magnets in the universe, magnetars are one of the most mysterious objects in space. Formed after the death of a star, magnetars use these powerful magnetic fields to emit a wide range of signals that can be seen across the galaxy. Understanding these emission processes requires understanding physics over a wide range of sizes and strengths. In this talk, I will cover how we can simplify these physics to model magnetars in simulations, and match the signals that we observe.
About the speaker : Jonathan is a 5th year PhD candidate in the Department of Physics at the University of Toronto, and works at the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics. His research includes modelling the plasma around magnetars, and characterizing signals of dark matter with new interactions. Originally from Vancouver, Jonathan completed his undergrad in physics and mathematics at the University of British Columbia. When not studying physics, he can be found lifting heavy objects in mercifully air-conditioned spaces.
Image Credit : ESO/L. Calçada