Stripping Stars: The Exciting Lives and Untimely Demise of Stars Near Supermassive Black Holes

At the center of almost every galaxy sits a supermassive black hole, with a mass between a million and a billion times that of our own sun. These behemoths are usually difficult to observe, but on rare occasions will eat an unlucky, nearby star. Post-doctoral researcher Nicholas Stone will discuss the agonizing demise of stars that are torn apart by hungry supermassive black holes, and how astronomers use their death throes to learn about important questions in astrophysics and Einstein’s theory of general relativity.

European Southern Observatory – Flickr

Every other Friday, the Astronomy Department at Columbia University sponsors public outreach. Attendees get access to astronomical information through timely lectures by members of the department aimed at a public audience. After the 30-minute lecture, if the weather is clear, the public can proceed to the roof of Pupin Hall and be guided by volunteers in stargazing and observing through the telescopes of Rutherfurd Observatory. A slide show and discussion with an astronomer about various astronomical images happens if the weather is cloudy.

Events are held at Pupin Hall on Columbia’s Morningside Heights campus.

 

 

• Science & Health

At the center of almost every galaxy sits a supermassive black hole, with a mass between a million and a billion times that of our own sun. These behemoths are usually difficult to observe, but on rare occasions will eat an unlucky, nearby star. Post-doctoral researcher Nicholas Stone will discuss the agonizing demise of stars that are torn apart by hungry supermassive black holes, and how astronomers use their death throes to learn about important questions in astrophysics and Einstein’s theory of general relativity.

European Southern Observatory – Flickr

Every other Friday, the Astronomy Department at Columbia University sponsors public outreach. Attendees get access to astronomical information through timely lectures by members of the department aimed at a public audience. After the 30-minute lecture, if the weather is clear, the public can proceed to the roof of Pupin Hall and be guided by volunteers in stargazing and observing through the telescopes of Rutherfurd Observatory. A slide show and discussion with an astronomer about various astronomical images happens if the weather is cloudy.

Events are held at Pupin Hall on Columbia’s Morningside Heights campus.