LECTURES & TALKS

Original Air Date: Oct. 17, 2019 All the material we can see is just a small fraction of the universe. The rest, a full 95 percent, is invisible and mysterious. These are the enigmatic dark matter and dark energy. While dark matter keeps things like galaxies together, dark energy acts in an opposite way – it pushes groups of galaxies apart and expands the universe itself. This event will discuss how astronomers are working to map the universe’s dark matter so they can see the effects of dark energy. The results could help us understand if the universe will expand at an accelerating rate forever. Host: Preston Dyches Speaker(s): Alina Kiessling — Astrophysicist, NASA-JPL Jason Rhodes — Astrophysicist, NASA-JPL

Check out Charles Liu’s book: https://amzn.to/2VOM8v6 On this episode of StarTalk Radio, we celebrate World Space Week! The annual event has been celebrating the “contributions of space science and technology to the betterment of the human condition” since its ratification by the United Nations in 1999. This year is no different except for the fact that our own Neil deGrasse Tyson, comic co-host Matt Kirshen, and astrophysicist and StarTalk geek-in-chief Charles Liu, PhD, are joining the celebration by answering your fan-submitted Cosmic Queries on a variety of cosmic topics! Explore the possibilities of higher dimensions in our universe. We investigate certain theories that allow for “compactified dimensions.” We also discuss Edwin Abbott’s iconic book, Flatland, and ponder how to explain a third dimension to someone in a two-dimensional universe. Next, we raise our sights to asteroids. What are the most common metals found on asteroids and how do mine them? Neil explains why, even if there is an abundance of curiosity, money is still always the driving factor. You’ll hear about the state of solar energy. Find out the real costs inherent in the solar marketplace. Charles sheds light (pun intended) on the difficulties of switching from old technology to new technology. We harken back to the rapid switch from horses to cars and debate why the switch from fossil fuels to renewable resources has taken so much longer. Discover more about speed of light travel: how you would protect those traveling in a vehicle at the speed of light, how The Flash is able to travel at the speed of light, and why it’s possible that you might not even be you at the speed of light. You’ll also hear about terraforming Mars and why the lack of atmosphere presents a big problem. Learn why it’s beneficial to put space telescopes on the far side of the Moon. Our trio weighs in on who will lead humanity’s journey through space? Governments, the private sector, or a combination of both? All that, plus, we discuss how to market space travel to those who find it unnecessary or extravagant. This episode originally aired on October 4, 2019. #StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson #Mars

Kelly Chance, Senior Physicist in Atomic and Molecular Physics, Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian The Smithsonian/NASA Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution satellite instrument (TEMPO; tempo.si.edu) will measure atmospheric pollution and much more over North America at hourly time resolution or better and 2km (N/S)×5km (E/W) spatial resolution. It will measure ground-level ozone, its chemical precursors, clouds, and aerosols. TEMPO will be launched in early 2022. TEMPO will measure from a geostationary vantage point 35,786 km above Earth's equator at 93°W. Applications include air quality and health; ozone production; biomass burning; lightning nitrogen dioxide; soil nitrogen and fertilizer application; crop and forest damage from ozone; chlorophyll and primary productivity; water vapor studies including atmospheric rivers, hurricanes, and corn sweat; and rush hour pollution. Original music by Mark C. Petersen, Loch Ness Productions. Used with permission. Animations used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Photo credit: David Glenn

Dan Ward speaks on techniques and tools to use your smartphone for astrophotography. Recorded at Star Gaze 2019 hosted by the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club

Dr Tom Barklay speaks on Discovering planets around the nearest and brightest stars with the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite. Recorded at StarGaze 2019 hosted by the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club

Professor Karim Jaffer presented his method of engaging Grade 12 level students from diverse backgrounds in the field of astronomy. With the aid and partnership of RASC Montreal Centre, he mentors students in observational techniques and public outreach. He discusses some of the projects they have created as well as the students who are still engaged in astronomy by participating in outreach events and by becoming members of RASC Montreal Centre even after they have left college. He spoke at the RASC/AAVSO General Assembly, which was held on campus at York University on June 15, 2019.

The SETI Institute's Nathalie Cabrol walks you through what it's like to prepare for a month-long field expedition to the mountains of Chile.

Paul Jones is the President of the Ancient City Astronomy Club, but that doesn't stop him from collaborating with NEFAS! Paul talked about his decades of experience watching meteors at the September 2019 club meeting of the Northeast Florida Astronomical Society [NEFAS] in Jacksonville, Florida. What is NEFAS? NEFAS, or the Northeast Florida Astronomical Society, is an organization of amateur astronomers who live, serve, and observe in Northeast Florida. We operate primarily in Jacksonville, Florida and its surrounding communities. We are a “non-profit organization expanding horizons through education and observation.” Visit us at: Web: http://nefas.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2209926886/ Twitter: @NEFAS_org Instagram: nefas_jacksonville ...or at one of our club meetings or public events found on the website calendar. Find Paul and the ACAC here: http://www.acacstaugfl.org/ Clear skies!

Once we get there, can we Survive on Mars? Find out from special guests, Astrogeochemist Dr. Robin Bond, and a team from VOX Media’s new YouTube Originals learning series Glad You Asked. Watch more Glad You Asked here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8fpeVICeGg All Space Considered is Griffith Observatory’s live science program that is free and open to the public, held the first Friday of every month. Subscribe now for more All Space Considered clips: https://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=griffithobservatory Watch All Space Considered videos: https://www.youtube.com/griffithobservatory Learn more about All Space Considered on our official site: http://griffithobservatory.org/asc/all_space.html Follow All Space Considered on SOCIAL MEDIA: Twitter: https://twitter.com/allspacecnsdrd Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AllSpaceConsidered/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allspaceconsidered/ -Disclaimer- WE DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO THE, VIDEOS, MUSICAL MATERIAL OR PICTURES PRESENT THAT WERE NOT CREATED DIRECTLY BY GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY OR ITS AFFILIATES, ALL CREDIT FOR THIS MATERIAL GOES TO THE ORIGINAL ARTISTS, CREATORS AND COMPOSERS. Fair Use: "Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use."

Dr. Grant Heiken discusses the purpose and functions of the Lunar Receiving Laboratory at the Manned Spaceflight Center (now the Johnson Space Center). Heiken was a member of the Lunar Sample Preliminary Examination Team during Apollo and was the lead editor of The Lunar Sourcebook. This was the first presentation in the Lunar and Planetary Institute’s 2019–2020 Cosmic Exploration Speaker Series — Apollo to Artemis: Exploring Our Moon.

Royal Astronomical Society of Canada - Toronto Centre Recreational Astronomy Night October 9, 2019 Jim Chung - What You Never Knew About Cleaning Optics 7:55 Adrian Aberdeen - Quality Astrophotography on a Budget 33:20 Denis Grey - The Sky This Month 1:08:07 Ralph Chou - Announcements 1:35:53

Dr Tom Barklay speaks on Discovering planets around the nearest and brightest stars with the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite. Recorded at StarGaze 2019 hosted by the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club

Dan Ward speaks on techniques and tools to use your smartphone for astrophotography. Recorded at Star Gaze 2019 hosted by the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club

Webinar archive entitled, “Exploring the Moon: Past, Present & Future” featuring NASA Astromaterials Research & Exploration Science (ARES) scientist, John Gruener. (Live webinar held on 10/2/19).

How was the speed of light first measured? Albert Einstein deduced it was the speed limit for everything in the universe. Is it possible to go faster? A lecture by Katherine Blundell OBE, Gresham Professor of Astronomy 02 October 2019 1PM BST https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/faster-than-light The speed of light has fundamental significance.  This talk will explain how the speed of light was first measured, and how an obscure but brilliant patent clerk in Bern, Switzerland by the name of Albert Einstein deduced that the speed of light is the upper speed limit for everything in the Universe. It is even possible for things to be measured as travelling faster than the speed of light and I will explain how that is permissible and understandable in an Einsteinian worldview. #GreshamLectures #Astronomy #Lightspeed #Science #Space #Light #Universe

Paul Mortfield gave an up-to-the-minute account of the instrumentation, operation and results of the exciting RASC National initiative, the Robotic Telescope project. He presented the update at the RASC/AAVSO 2019 General Assembly on June 15, 2019 at York University.

Watch Anna Ho, a graduate student in the astronomy department at Caltech, discuss Chaucer and Milton and other artists who grappled with developments in astronomy, and who incorporated an updated understanding of the universe into their dialogue and imagery. "I found and visited the famous Galileo grown old..." These are the words of John Milton in 1644. His most famous work, the epic poem Paradise Lost, was published in the wake of transformative discoveries and controversies enabled by the use of the telescope for astronomy. Centuries earlier, Geoffrey Chaucer wrote a technical treatise on an astronomical instrument, the astrolabe; it was one of his most widely circulated works, second only to The Canterbury Tales. Anna Ho is a graduate student in the astronomy department at Caltech. For her research, she uses the Zwicky Transient Facility at Palomar Observatory to investigate the death throes, deaths, and afterlives of massive stars. Before coming to Caltech, she obtained her B.S. in Physics at MIT and spent a year on a Fulbright Scholarship at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Heidelberg, Germany.

Bob Trembley will take you on a tour of the Solar System, the Milky Way Galaxy and beyond! Using the amazing app Space Engine, Bob will fly you to several different planets and moons in our solar system, and then fly you to nebulae, star clusters and wherever else the audience might wish to go. Bob’s comment about Space Engine is that “it’s one of the few apps that really makes you appreciate that you live in a sea of stars!” SpaceEngine is the application used to create the graphics for OVERVIEW VR – which Bob has shown to hundreds of people, including several WAS members. Bob uses SpaceEngine every week to create exoplanet images for his posts on the Sacred Space Astronomy blog – the blog of the Vatican Observatory Foundation. Bob Trembley has been an amateur astronomer and has loved astronomy and space his entire life; he is a volunteer NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador, and the 2019 outreach officer for the Warren Astronomical Society. Bob works for the Vatican Observatory Foundation, writing astronomy and space science posts for the “Sacred Space Astronomy Blog” with Br. Guy Consolmagno and other astronomers. Bob also maintains the VOF website, does social media work, creates newsletters and media… and whatever else gets thrown at him. Bob is fantastically interested in asteroids, near-Earth objects (NEOs), and meteorites. Bob is a HUGE fan of educational space-related PC software such as: NASA’s Eyes on the Solar System, Universe Sandbox, SpaceEngine and Kerbal Space Program. Bob and his wife Constance, a middle-school science teacher and also a Solar System Ambassador, run an after-school astronomy and space science club at Connie’s school called the “Endeavour Space Academy.” --- The views expressed in presentations are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent, and should not be attributed to, the Warren Astronomical Society.

Without the fear and clashing political ideologies of the Cold War to fuel a space race, what will fuel the “new” space race? On this episode of StarTalk Radio, Neil deGrasse Tyson sits down with comic co-host Ray Ellin to explore what will push human space exploration further out into the solar system. You’ll learn why the United States’ history as space “pioneers” needs adjusting. We investigate why we haven’t gone back to the Moon in decades. Find out if the Moon would be a good launching and refueling station for missions going further out. You’ll hear why human endeavors on Mars will require survival based on Martian resources. We also explore why traveling to another star, like Alpha Centauri, will take more rocket power than we have currently, possibly even requiring a development like warp drives. Explore why the Space Force is not necessarily a crazy idea, and why it partially exists already. We talk about the possible activities of the Space Force, and whether or not they might include cleaning up space junk. Brush up on the International Space Treaty of 1967 as we ponder what would happen if another country destroyed the flag planted by the United States on the Moon. We also address the question, “Can you own space?” Get details on NASA’s Office of Planetary Protection and how it protects the Earth and other celestial bodies from contaminating each other. Discover more about which countries might be involved in a “new” space race and whether there’s any merit to the idea of sending world leaders into space. We also discuss if this new space race should even be framed as a “race.” All that, plus, Neil shares his thoughts on why exploring space should eventually be like exploring your own backyard. This episode originally aired as a podcast on February 22, 2019 #SpaceRace #NeildeGrasseTyson #SpaceForce

Harvard University Professor of Physics Andrew Strominger explores the deep theoretical puzzles that have driven black hole research and the insights achieved by recent breakthroughs. This program is part of the Big Ideas Series, made possible with support from the John Templeton Foundation. - SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel and "ring the bell" for all the latest videos from WSF - VISIT our Website: http://www.worldsciencefestival.com - LIKE us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worldsciencefestival - FOLLOW us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WorldSciFest

Thursday, August 15, 2019 @ 7:00 pm Hilton El Conquistador Turquoise Ballroom 10000 North Oracle Road, Tucson, Arizona, 85704 The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) is approaching completion on the Cerro Pachón ridge in north-central Chile. When science operations begin in 2022, LSST will scan the sky with the world’s largest digital camera, creating a 500 petabyte set of images and data products that will address the most pressing questions about the structure and evolution of the universe and the objects in it. Among these objects are black holes, objects so dense they warp the fabric of space-time, objects whose incredible properties are only recently becoming known to us. You are invited to join us for an evening of black hole science and learn about Tucson’s leadership role in LSST’s voyage of scientific discovery. During this public event, LSST Project Manager Victor Krabbendam will provide an update on LSST construction progress, University of Arizona astrophysicist Feryal Özel will discuss the latest black hole discoveries from the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) and Northwestern University’s Raffaella Margutti will describe what we have learned from the first multi-messenger observations of a neutron star merger with gravitational waves and light, and what might be revealed when LSST begins its ten-year survey. Speakers: Raffaella Margutti, Northwestern University Raffaella Margutti is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at Northwestern University. She utilizes observations of transient astrophysical phenomena including stellar explosions and stellar tidal disruptions by supermassive black holes. She serves as the chair of the Gravitational Wave source follow-up with LSST within the LSST Transient and Variable Stars science collaboration. As an astrophysicist, her research specifically focuses on the biggest explosions and disruptions that occur in our Universe: Supernovae, Gamma-Ray Bursts, compact stellar mergers that are sources of gravitational waves and tidal disruption events. Dr. Margutti investigates the physics of these events by combining broad-band observations across the electromagnetic spectrum, including X-ray, UV, optical, IR, and radio. The primary goal of her research is to understand the nature of the physical processes that regulate such dramatic displays. Feryal Özel, University of Arizona Feryal Özel is a Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics in the Department of Astronomy at University of Arizona. She has made pioneering contributions to the physics of neutron stars and black holes, as well as to the co-evolution of black holes and galaxies in the early Universe. Dr. Özel led the Model Comparison group for the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) that released the first image of a black hole in April of 2019. She made the first accurate measurements of the neutron star radii that constrain the ultradense matter equation of state. Based on her work on accretion flows, she made the first size predictions of the images of nearby supermassive black holes at different wavelengths. Victor Krabbendam, LSST Victor Krabbendam has been LSST Project Manager since 2012, after eight years as Project Manager for the LSST Telescope & Site subsystem. Trained as a mechanical engineer, Victor has worked in industry, government, and with major astronomical research facilities including the Hobby-Eberly Telescope at McDonald Observatory and the Southern Astrophysical Research (SOAR) Telescope, a 4.1 meter telescope that is LSST's neighbor on Cerro Pachón. Slides: https://project.lsst.org/meetings/lsst2019/sites/lsst.org.meetings.lsst2019/files/FINAL-LSST%20Black%20Holes%20PCW%202019.pdf Download: https://gallery.lsst.org/bp/#/folder/6743808/96990895 Use policy https://gallery.lsst.org/bp/#/brandguidelines/2206/section/17286

Planetary Astronomer Michael Busch and Senior Astronomer Seth Shostak discuss a recent visit from Comet Borisov, C/2019 Q4.

Brown dwarfs are the missing link between giant planets and stars. In recent years, very low-mass brown dwarfs have been discovered which share a remarkable resemblance with the directly-imaged planets. In this talk, Dr. Vos discusses how we identify such objects and what they can tell us about the atmospheres of directly-imaged planets. Johanna Vos received her undergraduate degree from Trinity College Dublin in 2014 and her Ph.D. in Astronomy from the University of Edinburgh in 2018. She is now a Postdoctoral Fellow at the American Museum of Natural History as part of the Brown Dwarfs in New York City (BDNYC) group. Her research focuses on the atmospheres and spin properties of brown dwarfs and exoplanet analogs.

Original air date: Sept. 19, 2019 There are no service stations in space. Join Dr. Marc Rayman for the story of how NASA repaired and saved a spacecraft millions of miles away. Speaker: Marc Rayman, Mission Director/Chief Engineer/Project Manager for Deep Space 1 Follow us on your favorite social media platforms for updates @NASAJPL. All chats are moderated. Inappropriate language or posts that harass other individuals will be removed. Be courteous Use respectful language Protect your private information No spam, sexually explicit or discriminatory material Stay on topic

Calum Hervieu looks to humanity’s future on the Moon and the resurgence of lunar exploration. Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe Watch the Q&A: https://youtu.be/eC5C9JZKyaQ 50 years on from the Apollo program, the Moon has formed the desolate backdrop for a new era of space exploration. This era is one populated not by nations, but by private companies, each vying to make the next giant leap. The race is certainly on, but what’s the prize? Calum Hervieu is a Spacecraft Operations Engineer working on the lunar surface mission definition at PTScientists in Berlin; a New Space company that aims to be the first private company to land a spacecraft on the Moon. This talk and Q&A was filmed in the Ri on 20 July 2019. --- A very special thank you to our Patreon supporters who help make these videos happen, especially: Andrew McGhee, Dave Ostler, David Lindo, David Schick, Erik Shepherd, Greg Nagel, Ivan Korolev, Joe Godenzi, Julia Stone, Lasse T. Stendan, Lester Su, Osian Gwyn Williams, Paul Brown, Radu Tizu, Rebecca Pan, Robert Hillier, Robert Reinecke and Roger Baker. --- The Ri is on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheRoyalInstitution and Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter Product links on this page may be affiliate links which means it won't cost you any extra but we may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase through the link.

How is the access to the moon regulated on an international level? Could the International Space Station be developed into a jumping off point for space travel? Calum Hervieu answers audience questions following his talk. Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe Watch the talk: https://youtu.be/VOqUvKsyBDA Calum Hervieu is a Spacecraft Operations Engineer working on the lunar surface mission definition at PTScientists in Berlin; a New Space company that aims to be the first private company to land a spacecraft on the Moon. This talk and Q&A was filmed in the Ri on 20 July 2019. --- A very special thank you to our Patreon supporters who help make these videos happen, especially: Andrew McGhee, Dave Ostler, David Lindo, David Schick, Erik Shepherd, Greg Nagel, Ivan Korolev, Joe Godenzi, Julia Stone, Lasse T. Stendan, Lester Su, Osian Gwyn Williams, Paul Brown, Radu Tizu, Rebecca Pan, Robert Hillier, Robert Reinecke and Roger Baker. --- The Ri is on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheRoyalInstitution and Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter Product links on this page may be affiliate links which means it won't cost you any extra but we may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase through the link.

Watch Prof. Kelly Holley-Bockelmann from Vanderbilt University present the talk "Black Holes 101" at the Keck Institute for Space Studies short course "Approaching the Event Horizon - Black Holes and Their Effect on the Universe" (Caltech, September 16, 2019).

Watch Dr. Shoko Sakai from UCLA analyze the Galactic center - a black hole closeup at the Keck Institute for Space Studies short course "Approaching the Event Horizon - Black Holes and Their Effect on the Universe" (Caltech, September 16, 2019).

Watch Prof. Charles Gammie from University of Illinois talk about modeling and studying black holes on Horizon scales at the Keck Institute for Space Studies short course "Approaching the Event Horizon - Black Holes and Their Effect on the Universe" (Caltech, September 16, 2019).

Watch Dr. Michael Johnson from Harvard-Smithsonian CfA discuss the Event Horizon Telescope and imaging black holes with a global VLBI array at the Keck Institute for Space Studies short course "Approaching the Event Horizon - Black Holes and Their Effect on the Universe" (Caltech, September 16, 2019).

Brandon Lawton of the Space Telescope Science Institute For thousands of years, astronomers have employed increasingly precise angular measures to track the positions of stars in the night sky. The invention of the telescope, just a few hundred years ago, greatly expanded our view beyond what the human eye could see. Technology, in the forms of photography, electronics, digital detectors, and computer analysis, brought revolutions to our capabilities and knowledge. Join us for an exploration of the modern tools and methods used by astronomers with highlights of the recent results they have enabled. In addition, get acquainted with several hands-on tools that you can use to explore authentic NASA data. Host: Dr. Frank Summers of the Space Telescope Science Institute Recorded live on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A. More information: www.stsci.edu/public-lectures

AstroInformatics 2019 Conference: Data Science and X-informatics http://astroinformatics2019.org/

AstroInformatics 2019 Conference: AstroInformatics Methods and Applications http://astroinformatics2019.org/

AstroInformatics 2019 Conference: AstroInformatics Methods and Applications http://astroinformatics2019.org/

AstroInformatics 2019 Conference: AstroInformatics Methods and Applications http://astroinformatics2019.org/

AstroInformatics 2019 Conference: AstroInformatics Methods and Applications http://astroinformatics2019.org/

AstroInformatics 2019 Conference: AstroInformatics for Large Projects http://astroinformatics2019.org/

Anomaly Detection And Explanation In Galaxy Observations From The Dark Energy Survey AstroInformatics 2019 Conference: AstroInformatics for Large Projects http://astroinformatics2019.org/

Deep Learning at Scale for the Construction of Galaxy Catalogs in the Dark Energy Survey AstroInformatics 2019 Conference: AstroInformatics for Large Projects http://astroinformatics2019.org/

AstroInformatics 2019 Conference: AstroInformatics for Large Projects http://astroinformatics2019.org/

AstroInformatics 2019 Conference: AstroInformatics for Large Projects http://astroinformatics2019.org/

A discussion with Senior Astronomer Seth Shostak and Senior Researcher David Summers.

NASA Program Scientist Dr. Eric Smith gave a wonderful talk at last Friday’s All Space Considered to tell us all about the James Webb Space Telescope. All Space Considered is Griffith Observatory’s live science program that is free and open to the public, held the first Friday of every month. Subscribe now for more All Space Considered clips: https://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=griffithobservatory Watch All Space Considered videos: https://www.youtube.com/griffithobservatory Learn more about All Space Considered on our official site: http://griffithobservatory.org/asc/all_space.html Follow All Space Considered on SOCIAL MEDIA: Twitter: https://twitter.com/allspacecnsdrd Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AllSpaceConsidered/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allspaceconsidered/ -Disclaimer- WE DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO THE, VIDEOS, MUSICAL MATERIAL OR PICTURES PRESENT THAT WERE NOT CREATED DIRECTLY BY GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY OR ITS AFFILIATES, ALL CREDIT FOR THIS MATERIAL GOES TO THE ORIGINAL ARTISTS, CREATORS AND COMPOSERS. Fair Use: "Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use."

September 12, 2019 Phillips Auditorium Sera Markoff Host: Aneta Siemiginowska Abstract: The energy release from black holes is a well-known problem of keen interest to many astrophysics sub-fields, from high-energy astroparticle physics to cosmology and galaxy evolution. For instance we know from the mismatch between ‘gastrophysics-free’ cosmological simulations and observations of the largest scales of structure, that black holes manage to communicate with regions well beyond their gravitational sphere of influence, and that outflows (particularly jets for the largest scales) must be the mechanism. We also know that black holes of all scales experience cycles of activity where the dominant form of energy output changes, and that jet-dominated phases are associated with the highest energy particle acceleration. The problem currently lies in tying all these phenomena together and being able to uniquely predict outflow properties as a function of accretion and environmental properties. In this talk I will discuss a problem I have been puzzling over for some time, which is the link between event-horizon scales and the particle acceleration that “lights up” the jets we observe, which relates to our ability to connect recent Event Horizon Telescope images to observations at other wavebands. In particular I will focus on some recent studies about an older problem well-known in ‘AGN circles’, but that is now being explored in real-time using transient jets from black hole X-ray binaries (BHXBs): what sets the so-called “dissipation zone” where the inner jets start to radiate? I will then discuss how these results can be used to inform our models of both EHT images, and help connect them to the multi-wavelength observations we perform each campaign, as well as increase our understanding of the source of ultra-high energy cosmic rays, TeV gamma-rays and neutrinos.

Members of the NASA Night Sky Network joined us on September 9 when Andrea Jones and the International Observe the Moon Night team brought us the latest information and resources to enhance everyone's understanding of our lunar companion. About International Observe the Moon Night (2019 Edition) International Observe the Moon Night is an annual worldwide celebration of lunar and planetary science, celestial observation, and our personal and cultural connections to the Moon. 2019 marks the 10th anniversary of International Observe the Moon Night and the 10th year in orbit of NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, as well as the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing. On October 5, 2019 we invite you to celebrate all of these anniversaries with lunar enthusiasts around the world. Come learn more about the program, and how you and your club or institution can participate. We’ll highlight program resources including the 2019 International Observe the Moon Night Moon map, advertising materials, social media shareables, recommended hands-on activities, and evaluation resources and tips. You can ask questions of the International Observe the Moon Night leadership team and of fellow current or prospective event hosts, and share your ideas for your International Observe the Moon Night event. https://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/download-view.cfm?Doc_ID=652

Venus is our sister planet, and understanding its history and evolution is probably important for understanding Earth’s past and future. in recent years, Mars has gotten all the attention (and funding), but it wasn’t always this way. In this presentation, Jonathan Kade will review humankind’s past explorations of the veiled planet and look forward to possible future missions. Jonathan Kade is a long-time member of the Warren Astronomical Society and currently serves as their First Vice President. He is a visual observer, a star hopper, a sometimes astronomical sketcher, and a recovering cosmology aficionado. His last presentation to the WAS, in March 2019, explored the history of our newsletter The WASP with his musical collaborator and our scanmeister Dale Thieme. --- The views expressed in presentations are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent, and should not be attributed to, the Warren Astronomical Society.

Eric Smith is the NASA Headquarters Program Scientist for the James Webb Space Telescope and the Chief Scientist in NASA HQ’s Astrophysics Division. Planned for launch in 2021, Webb will be the world’s premier space science observatory. It will solve mysteries in our solar system, look beyond to distant worlds around other stars, and probe the mysterious structures and origins of our universe and our place in it. Webb is an international project led by NASA with its partners, ESA (European Space Agency), and the Canadian Space Agency. Dr. Smith will discuss the scientific plans and prospects for Webb as well as current mission status. It is an exciting time in Webb’s development with the final integration of its components occurring just two weeks ago.

Carey Lisse speaking at AHSP 2019 on New Horizons at Pluto and MU69/Ultima Thule

Do smokers get exposed to more radiation than astronauts? D future Martian colonists need radioactivity protection? Frances Staples answers audience questions following her talk. Subscribe for regular science videos: http://bit.ly/RiSubscRibe Watch the talk: https://youtu.be/NSAQZ4aTSVQ Frances Staples is a PhD student at UCL studying the dynamics of the Van Allen radiation belts - rings if relativistic particles trapped in Earth’s magnetic field. During her Master's in physics at Lancaster University she specialised in space science, researching convection in the Earth’s ionosphere. Her research interests focus on improving our understanding of the complex interactions between the solar wind and Earth’s magnetosphere. Better knowledge of this system will aid space weather forecasting models, allowing action to be taken to mitigate damage to technology and infrastructure. This talk and Q&A was filmed in the Ri on 20 July 2019. --- A very special thank you to our Patreon supporters who help make these videos happen, especially: Andrew McGhee, Dave Ostler, David Lindo, David Schick, Erik Shepherd, Greg Nagel, Ivan Korolev, Joe Godenzi, Julia Stone, Lasse T. Stendan, Lester Su, Osian Gwyn Williams, Paul Brown, Radu Tizu, Rebecca Pan, Robert Hillier, Robert Reinecke and Roger Baker. --- The Ri is on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheRoyalInstitution and Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: http://ri-science.tumblr.com/ Our editorial policy: http://www.rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter Product links on this page may be affiliate links which means it won't cost you any extra but we may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase through the link.