APEC Seminar (Astronomy - Particle Physics - Experimental Physics - Cosmology)

Speaker: Shri Kulkarni (Caltech)
Title: Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs)
Date (JST): Fri, Mar 27, 2015, 15:30 - 16:30
Place: Seminar Room A
Abstract: Astronomers at Parkes have found bursts in the decimetric band. The bursts have millisecond duration and inferred dispersion measures far in excess of that expected from the interstellar medium of our Galaxy. A simple interpretation is that these bursts are of extra-galactic origin with the dispersion measure arising in the intergalactic medium. The speaker will critically examine this simplistic proposal and then discuss and debate a range of proposed models. The talk will be notable for minimal use of slides and maximal engagement with the audience.

Those interested in getting a head start on the talk may benefit by reading Kulkarni et al. (2014): "Giant Sparks at Cosmological Distances?" http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2014ApJ...797...70K