Cosmic ray processes across the Universe: multi-messenger insights form Galaxies to the Cosmic Web

Event Date:
2025-10-06T16:00:00
2025-10-06T17:00:00
Event Location:
HENN 318
Speaker:
Ellis Owen, RIKEN Pioneering Research Institute
Related Upcoming Events:
Astronomy Colloquia
Intended Audience:
Everyone
Local Contact:

Allison Man (aman@phas.ubc.ca) and Brett Gladman (gladman@astro.ubc.ca)

All are welcome to this event!

 

Event Information:

Abstract: 

Cosmic rays interact with astrophysical systems across a vast range of scales, from turbulent galactic environments to the large-scale structure of the Universe. Closely linked to violent, high-energy processes, they act as a dynamic feedback agent, regulating the physical conditions and long-term evolution of galactic and circum-galactic ecosystems. Depending on their energy, cosmic rays can also propagate into galaxy halos and through the cosmic web. 

In this talk, I will highlight key observational tracers, including those from multi-messenger probes, that can be used to map the physical effects of cosmic rays across astrophysical environments and extend studies of galaxies beyond traditional astronomical techniques. I will also examine the role of cosmic rays in shaping baryonic flows around galaxies, and discuss their fate as they traverse the magnetized large-scale structures of the Universe, including the highest-energy particles that may never reach us on Earth.
 

Bio: 

Hi! I'm Ellis. I am an Astroparticle Physicist specialising in the development of state-of-the-art models for cosmic ray (CR) transport and interaction processes within evolving baryonic structures in the Universe. My research lies at the interface of CR physics, particle astrophysics, galaxy evolution and high-energy multimessenger observations. I am best known for my work on CR feedback in galaxy ecosystems and have established a research programme that explores CR impacts across multiple scales - from the multi-phase interstellar medium to galaxy halos and beyond. Check out my my publications page to find out more.

I grew up near Leicester, UK, and did my undergraduate studies at Cambridge University in Natural Sciences, specialising in Astrophysics in my final year. I then obtained my Masters degree from University College London (UCL) before working in gamma-ray astronomy at the Max-Planck-Institute for Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg, Germany for a year. I completed my PhD in Astrophysics at UCL's Mullard Space Science Laboratory. Since then, I have been working as an independent post-doctoral fellow - 3 years in Taiwan (National Tsing Hua University), now in Japan (2 years as a JSPS fellow at The University of Osaka), and at RIKEN's Pioneering Research Institute, near Tokyo, since December 2024. 

Learn more: 

Add to Calendar 2025-10-06T16:00:00 2025-10-06T17:00:00 Cosmic ray processes across the Universe: multi-messenger insights form Galaxies to the Cosmic Web Event Information: Abstract:  Cosmic rays interact with astrophysical systems across a vast range of scales, from turbulent galactic environments to the large-scale structure of the Universe. Closely linked to violent, high-energy processes, they act as a dynamic feedback agent, regulating the physical conditions and long-term evolution of galactic and circum-galactic ecosystems. Depending on their energy, cosmic rays can also propagate into galaxy halos and through the cosmic web.  In this talk, I will highlight key observational tracers, including those from multi-messenger probes, that can be used to map the physical effects of cosmic rays across astrophysical environments and extend studies of galaxies beyond traditional astronomical techniques. I will also examine the role of cosmic rays in shaping baryonic flows around galaxies, and discuss their fate as they traverse the magnetized large-scale structures of the Universe, including the highest-energy particles that may never reach us on Earth.  Bio:  Hi! I'm Ellis. I am an Astroparticle Physicist specialising in the development of state-of-the-art models for cosmic ray (CR) transport and interaction processes within evolving baryonic structures in the Universe. My research lies at the interface of CR physics, particle astrophysics, galaxy evolution and high-energy multimessenger observations. I am best known for my work on CR feedback in galaxy ecosystems and have established a research programme that explores CR impacts across multiple scales - from the multi-phase interstellar medium to galaxy halos and beyond. Check out my my publications page to find out more. I grew up near Leicester, UK, and did my undergraduate studies at Cambridge University in Natural Sciences, specialising in Astrophysics in my final year. I then obtained my Masters degree from University College London (UCL) before working in gamma-ray astronomy at the Max-Planck-Institute for Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg, Germany for a year. I completed my PhD in Astrophysics at UCL's Mullard Space Science Laboratory. Since then, I have been working as an independent post-doctoral fellow - 3 years in Taiwan (National Tsing Hua University), now in Japan (2 years as a JSPS fellow at The University of Osaka), and at RIKEN's Pioneering Research Institute, near Tokyo, since December 2024.  Learn more:  See Ellis' professional webpage: https://www.ellisowen.org/bio About cosmic rays: Cosmic Rays - NASA About galaxy halos: Hubble Data Suggest Galaxies Have Giant Halos - NASA Science and [2509.16524] Cosmic Rays in Galaxy Halos: Impacts on Galactic Outflows and Baryon Cycling About multi-messenger probes: Multi-Messenger Astrophysics Science Analysis Group (MMA SAG) - NASA Science Event Location: HENN 318