Quantum Universe Colloquium - Multi-messenger signals from merging neutron stars

Prof. Dr. Stephan Rosswog (Hamburg University)
Auditorium & Zoom (DESY Hamburg), 16:00

Neutron star mergers are related to a large number of (astro-)physical questions. For example, they had long been suspected to produce gravitational waves, gamma ray bursts and -by some- to produce heavy "rapid neutron capture" elements. While overall convincing, all these conjectures were only based on indirect arguments and none was proven by direct observations. The situation changed dramatically on August 17, 2017 when the first ever neutron star merger was detected in both gravitational and electromagnetic waves. It confirmed many expectations, but also raised a number of new questions.
In this colloquium I will discuss our current understanding of the merger process and its multi-messenger signatures (e.g. gravitational waves, formation of heavy elements and resulting kilonova emission) together with some of the open issues.

This is a hybrid colloquium!

Zoom link: https://desy.zoom.us/j/99616528733
Meeting ID: 996 1652 8733
Meeting Password: 733220

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