Event Begins: Thursday, November 14, 2024 3:30pm
Location: West Hall
Organized By: Department of Astronomy

"XRISM – A New Window into the X-ray Universe"

At 23:42 UTC on September 6th, 2023, the X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) lifted off from Tanegashima Space Center in Japan, ushering in a new era of high-energy astrophysics. XRISM, an international JAXA/NASA collaboration including participation from ESA, is an advanced X-ray observatory capable of carrying out a science program that will address some of the most important questions in astrophysics in the 2020s. XRISM is essentially a rebuild of the Hitomi (Astro-H) spacecraft that was lost due to an operational mishap early in the mission in 2016. Resolve, the primary instrument on XRISM, is a high-resolution, non-dispersive X-ray spectrometer operating between 0.3-12 keV, providing high-resolution (~5 eV) spectroscopic capabilities in this critical energy band with a response peaking around the ubiquitous 6.4 keV Fe K-alpha line. A wide-field imager, Xtend, will offer simultaneous coverage over nearly a 40’ square field of view, with ~1’ spatial resolution. XRISM will study all manner of astrophysical objects, including galaxies and clusters, AGN, X-ray binaries, supernova remnants, transient phenomena, stars, and the interstellar medium. In this talk, I will highlight some of the scientific topics that XRISM will address, in addition to providing a general status update on the mission. I will discuss the synergies between high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy and observations at other wavelengths, including optical, radio, and IR, and summarize the General Observer program, where funding is available for observers based at U.S. institutions.

While scientists have made remarkable advancements in astronomy and astrophysics since the beginning of this decade – notably the first detection of gravitational waves and the discovery of distant Earth-like planets – unforeseen constraints have slowed progress toward reaching some of the priorities and goals outlined in the Academies’ 2010 decadal survey of these disciplines, says a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

A new decadal survey presents a visionary plan for the fields of astronomy and astrophysics, identifying scientific priorities and opportunities, and recommending an ambitious program of investment to strengthen the profession and achieve new capabilities.

Harrison Siegel pointed us to this project with Maximiliano Isi and Will Farr on gravitational-wave analysis. The compare models using predictive evaluation, in particular leave-one-out cross-validation (LOO), as discussed here and here. Siegel writes: We discuss our implementation of the … Continue reading →

A starry sense of wonder can pry apart the fears and doubts that turn so many people away from science.

Astronomy doesn't deserve its reputation as a tough, expensive hobby. You just need to begin with the right advice.

The post Astronomy for Beginners: How to Get Started in Backyard Astronomy appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

The Royal Observatory Greenwich has announced the winners of the 16th annual Astronomy Photographer of the Year contest.

The post See the Photos that Won the Royal Observatory Greenwich's Astronomy Photographer of the Year Awards appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

Location: Special Collections x-Collection- QB145.C49 1960

Location: Special Collections x-Collection- QB43.I64 1961

Location: Special Collections x-Collection- QB475.B37 1961

Oct. 17, 2024 — UC San Diego Alumnus Roman Gerasimov, who recently earned his doctorate from the university, has received the International Astronomical Union (IAU) Stars and Stellar Physics Division Award […]

The post UC San Diego Doctoral Graduate Recognized for Achievement in Astronomy appeared first on HPCwire.

Radio astronomers teamed up with SpaceX to find a promising solution for helping expensive telescopes avoid interference from thousands of Starlink satellites

See the world's best space images from the Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2024 award

The first 18 satellites of a planned Chinese mega constellation are brighter than all but 500 stars in the sky, raising fears of a huge impact on astronomy

The books, TV, games and more that New Scientist staff have enjoyed this week

Sparrow, Giles, 1970- author

Eric Silver of SAO is pursuing innovative and interdisciplinary uses of his technique for chemical imaging at the cellular level.

The post Technology developed for X-ray astronomy is being adapted to study cancer cells appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

While scientists have made remarkable advancements in astronomy and astrophysics since the beginning of this decade – notably the first detection of gravitational waves and the discovery of distant Earth-like planets – unforeseen constraints have slowed progress toward reaching some of the priorities and goals outlined in the Academies’ 2010 decadal survey of these disciplines, says a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Sky gazers carve out a spot in rural Georgia where the lights won't bother them.

Hot ice cream, cocktails that look like large caviar eggs, and that love-it-or-hate-it foam are all products of molecular gastronomy.

The exoplanets discovered by astronomy student Michelle Kunimoto include one potentially habitable, Earth-sized world.

On the afternoon of June 5, 2012, there will be public telescope viewing of a rare Transit of Venus at the South Rim’s Grand Canyon Visitor Center. Then, from Saturday, June 16 through Saturday, June 23, the twenty-second annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held on both the South and North Rims of the park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2012-05-15_astronomy.htm

Trading at around $2,500 per kilogram, more growers are entering the truffle industry as demand for the unique fungi remains high.

A new breed of smart telescopes is set to take users past these hurdles, and get them out under the night sky. We recently had a chance to put Vaonis’ Stellina ‘smart telescope’ through its paces, and we’re intrigued at the glimpse it provides at the future of observational astronomy.

The post Our Review of Stellina: a ‘Smart Telescope’ for 21st Century Astronomy appeared first on Universe Today.

On Saturday, January 26, 2019, I had the privilege of giving this year’s Paul Sykes Memorial Lecture to the Vancouver Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. My topic was “Astronomy and Science Fiction” and during the talk I mentioned the following SF novels (listed in italics) and short stories (listed in quotation marks):H.G. […]

The Hürriyet newspaper's jury of experts has created the "Pearly Gastronomy Guide" to rank Turkey's best restaurants. Click through for the top 20 restaurants in Istanbul, according to the 2018 guide...

Andrew Wong knew from an early age that running a restaurant required improvisation, having watched his parents steer their London Chinese restaurant through nearly 30 years of good times and bad.

The apparent detection of an exoplanet orbiting Fomalhaut was announced in 2008. However, subsequent observations of Fomalhaut b raised questions about its status: Unlike other exoplanets, it is bright in the optical and nondetected in the infrared, and its orbit appears to cross the debris ring around the star without...

Perhaps astronomers need help from something that thinks a bit less like a human.

Huge constellations of satellites like SpaceX’s Starlink could make ground-based astronomy impossible, and we’re running out of time to deal with the problem

The International Astronomical Union has concluded a review of satellite mega constellations such as SpaceX's Starlink satellites and found they will have a major impact on large telescopes, but not naked eye astronomy

Less pollution and fine weather create ideal conditions for studying constellations

Andrew Wong knew from an early age that running a restaurant required improvisation, having watched his parents steer their London Chinese restaurant through nearly 30 years of good times and bad.

Online Resource

Online Resource

Online Resource

Online Resource

Hayden Library - QB819.S74 2017

Online Resource

Online Resource

Online Resource

Hayden Library - QB17.C853 2017

Norton, Richard E., author

Well, it’s been a while since our last post (and for that Blue Door is truly sorry). We’ve been busy bees however not least with the paperback publication of our launch titles, Jon Stock’s Dead Spy Running and Anne Berry’s The Hungry Ghosts.

Sumptuous posters adorned the London tube network this week advertising The Hungry Ghosts, a haunting debut novel which has already won the Amazon Rising Stars Award and is a Waterstone’s Book Circle choice. So what better way to celebrate than to go on an Anne Berry gastronomic tube crawl spotting all of her posters along the way? If you find yourself at a loose end I can definitely recommend every single one of the establishments below.

What you will need:
An empty stomach
A copy of The Hungry Ghosts (available from all major retailers now)
Fairly loose-fitting clothes

10am
Start the day at Bread Etcetera on Clapham High Street. Perfect for whiling away a Saturday morning, you’ll only have time to take in a quick breakfast today. Might I recommend the boiled egg with their gorgeous sourdough bread.

Jump on to the tube and catch the Anne Berry poster by the escalators – truly a poster of beauty!

11am
Make your way up to Waterloo on the Northern Line and head to paradise for cake aficionados everywhere, Konditor and Cook www.konditorandcook.com I have sampled many a fine cake, tart and slab here. But let’s remember that we’re pacing ourselves for the day – if you have one thing go for the orange lavender slab cake.

1pm
After all that you’ll probably need a rest so take a gentle stroll down to London Bridge and get a refreshing cuppa at Borough Market from my favourite tea guru Rob Green www.ceylon1.com
Make your way onto the tube (spotting yet another poster of course) and travel up to King’s Cross. If you don’t already have a copy of The Hungry Ghosts pick one up at WHSmith’s – it’s their read of the week. Then if you haven’t sampled it before, head to the British Library – it’s the perfect place to dip in to Anne Berry’s world. You can even adopt a book whilst you’re there.

3pm
After all that reading, you’ll probably be quite hungry. Jump on the Piccadilly line and head for Holborn. Bea’s of Bloomsbury (www.beasofbloomsbury.com) is the perfect place for afternoon tea and at £13, is a snip (booking essential). A pot of Chinese tea and a bea-utifully scented cupcake is the perfect accompaniment to your reading and you can admire the skills of the pastry chefs in the open kitchen area. I cannot recommend this little gem enough.


5pm
A day of luxurious treats requires equally luxurious wine. Hop on the Central line and make your way over to Holland Park to Royal-favourite Julie’s, http://www.juliesrestaurant.com passing the lovely Daunt Books store on your way (they have supported Anne from the very beginning).

Every wine on Julie’s list is a delight so you will be spoilt for choice.

7pm
The dinner hour is fast-approaching and since the book is firmly rooted in the Orient, why not indulge in a Chinese feast. Anne’s evocative descriptions of food are enough to make anyone salivate and you will not be disappointed by Memories of China in Victoria. Take the Circle line (and perhaps a comedy photo next to Anne’s poster) and head to Ken Lo’s fantastic restaurant www.memories-of-china.co.uk/ This is a restaurant worth saving for!

9pm
After a day of true indulgence there’s only time for one more stop. Jump on the Victoria line, give the posters a final wave and head to Chimes in Pimlico (www.chimes-of-pimlico.co.uk) for a glass of silver birch wine (or if you're feeling brave, their walnut liqueur) to round off the day.

And after all that, the only thing I can recommend is a book at bedtime - if you haven't reached the end of The Hungry Ghosts now is your chance. You won't be disappointed!

Klink, William H., author

Kapusta, Joseph I., author

International Astronomical Union. Symposium (316th : 2015 : Honolulu, Hawaii), author

Martin, B. R. (Brian Robert), author

Hayden Library - QB64.L39 2019