Binary neutron stars: Einstein's richest laboratory

All students and staff welcome.

Speaker 

Prof Luciano Rezolla from the University of Frankfurt.

"I will argue that if black holes represent one the most fascinating implications of Einstein's theory of gravity, neutron stars in binary system are arguably its richest laboratory, where gravity blends with astrophysics and particle physics. I will discuss the rapid recent progress made in modelling these systems and show how the inspiral and merger of a binary system of neutron stars is more than a strong source of gravitational waves. Indeed, while the gravitational signal can provide tight constraints on the equation of state for matter at nuclear densities, the formation of a black-hole--torus system can explain much of the phenomenology of short gamma-ray bursts, while the the ejection of matter during the merger can shed light on the chemical enrichment of the universe. Finally, I will discuss how the merger may lead to a phase transition from hadronic to quark matter. Such a process would lead to a signature in the post-merger gravitational-wave signal and open an observational window on the production of quark matter in the present Universe."

In person

Meet us at 16.30 outside Lecture Theatre B for tea and cakes prior to the talk.

Online 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://ed-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/87451446536

Meeting ID: 874 5144 6536

Passcode: rbyA5JfH

Join by Skype for Business

https://ed-ac-uk.zoom.us/skype/87451446536