Heavier than the Sun, Smaller than a City: The Neutron Star
Dr. Paul Hemphill, 1:30-2:00pm

Abstract:
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.

Exploring the Universe from Near to Far with the Chandra X-ray Observatory
Dr. Norbert Schulz, 2:00-2:30pm

In the summer of 1999, NASA launched the third of its great observatories–the Chandra X-ray telescope. Like the Hubble Space telescope which preceded it, Chandra is designed to have an unprecedented ability to create images and spectra of astrophysical objects, except working with high energy X-rays instead of optical light. This means that Chandra views some of the universe’s most exotic and energetic phenomena: supernovae, neutron stars, black holes, jets traveling at nearly the speed of light emanating from near the center of clusters of galaxies. In this talk, we’ll take a tour of the discoveries made by the Chandra X-ray telescope, starting with studies of our own solar system, moving outward to nearby stars, to the center of our own Galaxy where a black hole 40 millions times the mass of our Sun lurks, to distant clusters of Galaxies where the most massive black holes, billions of times the mass of our Sun, reside.

Tour of Operations Control Center for Chandra X-ray Observatory
Tour departs 37-252 shortly after 2:30pm. Walk as a group to NE83.

• Tour signup deadline: Fri, Jan 25 @ 12noon. 
• Email meinbres@mit.edu your first & last name (as it appears on your ID) & country of your citizenship. Tour attendance will be confirmed by end of day Jan 29.
  
• The tour is limited to the first 20 people who sign up by Jan 25 @ noon. No enrollment limit for talks preceding tour.