“Kilonovae and the origin of the heavy elements”

Synopsis:

It is generally agreed that only hydrogen and helium were present in significant quantities immediately after the Big Bang, and so the question of how astronomical objects have created all the heavier elements has been a longstanding topic of research. In particular, the origin of the heaviest elements (those beyond the iron group) has been particularly difficult to explain. New insights on this have emerged in recent years thanks to the first clear identifications of astronomical explosions associated with the mergers of neutron stars, so-called “kilonovae”: these transients have been found thanks to advances in “multi-messenger” astrophysics, in which gravitational wave detectors and satellite telescopes (including gamma-ray and infrared observations) have made it possible to find and study these events. I will discuss our progress in the study of kilonovae, particularly efforts at Queen’s and elsewhere to understand the role they play in creating the heavy elements.

Bio:

Originally from the north east of Scotland, Stuart Sim studied at the University of Oxford (1995 to 2002) before working as an astrophysics researcher in London, Munich and Canberra. Since 2013 he has been a member of the Astrophysics Research Centre and Queen’s University Belfast where he was made professor of theoretical astrophysics in 2024. His research is focussed on studying astrophysical explosions, including supernovae and kilonovae, with an emphasis on using computer simulations to interpret data and understand the physics that undermines these phenomena.

VENUE: Larmor Lecture Theatre, Astrophysics Research Centre, Physics Building, QUB.

Admission free, including light refreshments, All welcome.