Events

Tidal debris structures, composed of stars cast off by disrupting satellite galaxies and globular clusters, are striking evidence of the hierarchical formation of galaxies. They are windows into galactic accretion and provide powerful probes of dark matter halo structure and substructure. Recent advances in low surface brightness imaging and star count studies have revealed a wealth of new examples both around the Milky Way and farther afield.

It is well established that galaxies are divided into those that are star-forming and those that have stopped forming stars long ago. The cessation of star formation in galaxies ("quenching") correlates strongly with both galaxy morphology and environment, but the physical reasons behind these relationships remain disputed. Drawing upon my own research, I will discuss issues of correlation and causation, and highlight evidence that points to multiple evolutionary pathways along which galaxies both grow and die.

For more than two decades members of the Center for Astronomy Education (CAE) have been researching how we can best support students’ learning in a wide variety of STEM disciplines and courses.  From hierarchal sequencing of clicker questions, to student-generated representation tasks, to collaborative tutorial activities – we have been developing instructional strategies that can unpack difficult topics and deeply engage leaners in classes from 25 to 700 students.  From a gaming perspective, we have been investigating how to foster Enticement, Mystery, Action, Risk, Challe

Redshifted 21-cm emission from neutral hydrogen is a powerful tool for 
observational cosmology research. Measurements across a wide range of radio frequencies allow us to access redshifts that encompass a vast 
comoving volume, spanning both cosmic dawn and the formation of 

Tuesday Feb 11th 12:30-13:30 @ Hebb 114 Pizza & refreshments provided!

Join us to...

• Learn techniques to manage stress during the academic year.
• Find out about services and resources specific to graduate students.
• Feel calmer. Get grounded.

Event funding is provided by UBC Department of Physics & Astronomy, and UBC Graduate Student Society.

In 2017, the first asteroid to enter our Solar System from interstellar space was discovered at the Pan-STARRS telescope in Hawaii, and has now been named 'Oumuamua, a Hawaiian term which signifies 'Messenger from Afar'. In 2019 a second interstellar visitor, comet Borisov (named after its discoverer) appeared. Curiously, they have contrasting properties: 'Oumuamua is rocky and relatively slow (both unexpected beforehand) while Borisov is the reverse: icy and fast.

Come to support our own graduate students in the departmental round of the 3-minute thesis competition!