Florida Theoretical Astrophysics Seminars

These are weekly lunchtime seminars in theoretical astrophysics, held every Monday either in the Astronomy (Bryant 217) or Physics (room 2165) department from 12:40 - 1:40 pm.

leaves (windy!)

Spring 2009

January 19, 2009

Martin Luther King Jr. Day


January 26, 2009 Florida Astro Winter Workshop
Bryant 217
Kaitlin Kratter (University of Toronto)

Accreting Protostellar Disks: fragmentation and multiplicity
Abstract In the early phases of star formation, protostellar disks accrete material rapidly from an envelope of gas and dust. When the Mach number of the infalling material becomes large, disks can no longer funnel all of the gas down onto the central star. This causes the disk mass to increase until self-gravity comes to dominate angular momentum transport. Under these circumstances, local disk models break down. To better understand the evolution of these unstable systems, we have combined theoretical disks models with three dimensional global AMR simulations to carry out a parameter space study of rapidly accreting disks. I will present the first results from this study and show how we can predict disk behavior and gain insight into both stellar multiplicity and the upper mass limit for stars.
February 2, 2009
Florida Astro Winter Workshop
tba



Abstract
February 9, 2009
Florida Astro Winter Workshop
tba



Abstract
February 16, 2009
Bryant 217
Mariano Moles (IAA, Spain)


Abstract
February 23, 2009
tba



Abstract
March 2, 2009
tba



Abstract
March 9, 2009

Spring Break


March 16, 2009

Dimitri Veras (UF Astronomy)

Secular and Resonant Orbital Dynamics of Hierarchical Two-Planet Systems
Abstract The preponderance of known multi-planet extrasolar systems has kindled interest in using their resonant and secular dynamical evolution as a probe of planet formation.  We explore the orbital evolution of a class of these systems -- "hierarchical" systems -- by utilizing realistic *ensembles* of initial conditions, which are derived from published data, and by considering the *full range* of the planets' currently unknown relative and line-of-sight inclinations.  We demonstrate how these planets may reside in high-inclination asymmetric resonance, and report on the planets' resulting stability, secular evolution regimes, and sometimes dominant influences from general relativity.
March 23, 2009




Abstract
March 30, 2009
tba



Abstract
April 6, 2009

Tarek Saab (UF Physics)

The Micro-X and MARE Experiments:  Doing Astrophysics with Micro-Calorimeters
Abstract
April 13, 2009
Bryant 217
2nd year talks (UF Astronomy)


Abstract







May 11, 2009
Bryant 217
Tsevi Mazeh

The Transiting Extrasolar planets: How do we find them and what can we learn from them
Abstract More than 300 extrasolar planets were discovered since 1995, when the first planet was detected. About 50 of these planets
eclipse their parent star once every orbital period. The detection of these transiting planets in the last few years allowed
the derivation of the planetary dynamical masses and radii and sometimes even the planetary temperatures and atmospherical
features.  The transiting timing can be quite accurate, and therefore small deviations from the planetary Keplerian motion can
be detected. The talk will review the detection and study of the presently known transiting planets.

Fall 2008 Schedule


Questions, queries, comments? tasker(at)astro.ufl.edu