Cosmic explosions matter not just for astronomy#

The lives of massive stars are terminated by a final catastrophic collapse to a neutron star or black hole. Both can be accompanied by a supernova explosion. These events play a crucial role in the dynamical evolution of galaxies and their enrichment with chemical elements, as cosmic laboratories for particle and nuclear physics, and as sources of electromagnetic radiation, neutrinos, and gravitational waves, including those currently measured from colliding compact objects in binaries. Modern supercomputer simulations in three dimensions support the long-standing paradigm that energy transfer by neutrinos drives the far majority of supernova explosions. These models begin to yield explanations for many observed phenomena, but they also still struggle with unsolved problems. The talk will introduce the basic theory, describe the forefront of current research, and highlight some topics where supernova theory is linked to astronomy, particle physics, and nuclear physics.

We are honored to invite the academic community and members of Academia Europaea to a lecture by Professor Hans-Thomas Janka, an acclaimed German astrophysicist as part of the Interdisciplinary Scientific Seminar at Wrocław University of Science and Technology.

The lecture, titled “Supernova Explosions: A Multi-Physics Challenge Beyond Astronomy,” will take place on Tuesday, 10 November, at 1:15 p.m. at the Congress Hall of Wrocław University of Science and Technology (building D-20, 8 Janiszewskiego St.).

The event is open to all interested attendees free of charge. Advance registration is required.