Learn about the development and application of x-ray spectroscopy.

Heavier than the Sun, Smaller than a City: The Neutron Star

Dr. Paul Hemphill 1:30 – 2:00pm in 37-252

Neutron stars are some of the most extreme objects in the known Universe. More massive than the Sun, but just a few miles across, they have some of the highest densities, strongest magnetic fields, and highest temperatures of any celestial objects. In this talk I will give an overview of the origins and properties of the various types of neutron stars that we observe, as well as how we can detect them and their usefulness for astrophysics as a whole.

No enrollment limit for talk, no advance sign-up required.

Tour of the X-ray Polarimetry Lab — please note tour limit and prerequisite below

Drs. Norbert Schulz and Herman Marshall, 2:00 – 3:00pm departing from 37-252

Tour of MIT’s X-ray Polarimetry Lab, where new X-ray instrumentation is currently being developed.

*****Please Note*****
20 people max for tour. Advance sign-up required starting at 1:25pm in 37-252 immediately before Dr. Hemphill’s talk. Attendance of talk is required for tour of the Lab. Tour will leave from 37-252 at 2:00pm, and last until about 3:00pm.