Crazy jet experiments: probing accretion and ejection physics with flashes, bursts, and eruptions

Event Date:
2025-11-24T16:00:00
2025-11-24T17:00:00
Event Location:
HENN 318
Speaker:
Prof. Alexandra Tetarenko, University of Lethbridge
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:

The most powerful cosmic engines in our universe are fueled by compact objects such as black holes and neutron stars. These cosmic engines consume large amounts of material and expel matter in the form of jets travelling at near the speed of light. Recent groundbreaking discoveries of gravitational waves from systems harbouring compact objects and the direct imaging of the black hole shadows with the Event Horizon Telescope, represent major steps forward in our understanding of such systems. However, there exists a huge population of compact objects in our own Galaxy, which provides much more ideal laboratories, offering a real-time view of the behaviour of these objects and their dynamic environments. 

In this talk, I will discuss new experiments leveraging the capabilities of today's state-of-the-art telescopes to observe repetitive, (somewhat) predictable, energetic surges of radiation that allow us to track the path of material from inflow to outflow in these Galactic systems.
 

Bio: 

I am an assistant professor in the Physics and Astronomy Department at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada 🇨🇦, and I currently hold a Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Black Hole Astrophysics.

Previously, I have held a NASA Einstein Fellowship at Texas Tech University, and worked in the Maunakea Observatories in Hawaii at the East Asian Observatory's James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (EAO/JCMT).

I was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I received my BSc (Honours) in Astrophysics at the University of Calgary, and I completed my MSc/PhD at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

My work involves studying relativistic jets launched by stellar-mass black hole systems in our Galaxy, with a particular focus on observing these jets at long radio and (sub)-mm wavelengths.

 

Learn More: 

Add to Calendar 2025-11-24T16:00:00 2025-11-24T17:00:00 Crazy jet experiments: probing accretion and ejection physics with flashes, bursts, and eruptions Event Information: Abstract: The most powerful cosmic engines in our universe are fueled by compact objects such as black holes and neutron stars. These cosmic engines consume large amounts of material and expel matter in the form of jets travelling at near the speed of light. Recent groundbreaking discoveries of gravitational waves from systems harbouring compact objects and the direct imaging of the black hole shadows with the Event Horizon Telescope, represent major steps forward in our understanding of such systems. However, there exists a huge population of compact objects in our own Galaxy, which provides much more ideal laboratories, offering a real-time view of the behaviour of these objects and their dynamic environments.  In this talk, I will discuss new experiments leveraging the capabilities of today's state-of-the-art telescopes to observe repetitive, (somewhat) predictable, energetic surges of radiation that allow us to track the path of material from inflow to outflow in these Galactic systems.  Bio:  I am an assistant professor in the Physics and Astronomy Department at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada 🇨🇦, and I currently hold a Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Black Hole Astrophysics. Previously, I have held a NASA Einstein Fellowship at Texas Tech University, and worked in the Maunakea Observatories in Hawaii at the East Asian Observatory's James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (EAO/JCMT). I was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I received my BSc (Honours) in Astrophysics at the University of Calgary, and I completed my MSc/PhD at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. My work involves studying relativistic jets launched by stellar-mass black hole systems in our Galaxy, with a particular focus on observing these jets at long radio and (sub)-mm wavelengths.   Learn More:  About Alexandra's Canada Research Chair for Black Hole astrophysics: https://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/chairholders-titulaires/profile-eng.aspx?profileId=6122 About the Event Horizon telescope: https://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/chairholders-titulaires/profile-eng.aspx?profileId=6122 About Astrophysical jets: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrophysical_jet About some jet experiments: CERN: https://www.space.com/astronomy/scientists-recreate-cosmic-fireballs-in-cern-particle-accelerator-to-hunt-for-missing-gamma-rays Eureka: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1039291 Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO): https://phys.org/news/2025-11-cosmic-ray-puzzle-scientists-link.html Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf: https://www.hzdr.de/db/Cms?pOid=42939&pNid=99&pLang=en  Event Location: HENN 318