Exoplanets and Stellar Astrophysics Laboratory
 

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, December 10, 2024
03:30 AM - 05:00 PM
ASD Colloquium (Hybrid)
The Magnetic Field in the Galactic Center: Results from the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)
David T. Chuss (Department of Physics, Villanova University)

Understanding the physics at work in our Milky Way’s center is crucial to our understanding of Galactic dynamics. In addition, the proximity of our own Galactic center to Earth enables the most detailed means for probing the physics of galactic nuclei in general.

The central 150 parsecs of our Galaxy are commonly known as the “Central Molecular Zone (CMZ)”. This region is known for conditions that are unique in our Galaxy. Cloud masses and velocity dispersions are larger than in the disk. There are numerous supernova remnants, and co-incident with the cool material is a hot ionized phase. Amidst this hot phase exists a series of long thin synchrotron structures known as the “Non-thermal Filaments (NTFs)”. These structures are understood to trace a magnetic field that is oriented predominantly perpendicular to the plane. Despite having been discovered 40 years ago, neither the origins of the NTFs nor the dynamics of their associated magnetic field are well understood.

Measurement of polarized emission from magnetically-aligned dust at far-infrared wavelengths provides an additional important tool for addressing these questions. In this talk, I will describe polarimetric results from NASA’s SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy) mission, focusing on the large survey project entitled the Far-InfraREd Polarimetric Large-Area CMZ Exploration (FIREPLACE).

Read more about this event
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
03:30 AM - 05:00 PM
ASD Colloquium (Hybrid)
Hubble, TESS, and James Webb Mission Posters.

Mission Posters

Please check out these awesome mission posters for the Hubble Space Telescope, the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and the James Webb Space Telescope missions.

Featured Video

Celebrating 30 years in orbit, the Hubble Space Telescope has revealed astonishing secrets about our universe. Yet, while its most famous pictures may reveal galaxies and nebulas across the cosmos, it’s also unlocked secrets here in our own solar system.

Local News

 

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