Center for Computational Relativity and Gravitation Colloquium: Dr. Vasileios Paschalidis
Center for Computational Relativity and Gravitation Colloquium
Magnetohydrodynamic accretion onto binary black holes as a source for multimessenger astronomy with gravitational waves
Dr. Vasileios Paschalidis
Departments of Astronomy and Physics Theoretical Astrophysics Program
University of Arizona Tucson
Abstract:
Supermassive black hole binaries can form in magnetized plasma following galaxy mergers, via bar-mode instability in rapidly rotating supermassive stars, or by other dynamical processes. After formation, a combination of dynamical friction and gas-driven migration is likely to catalyze the binary inspiral into the gravitational radiation-driven regime. Following this point, accreting binary black holes become prime targets for multimessenger astronomy with gravitational waves. In this talk we will discuss recent progress in understanding magnetohydrodynamic accretion onto binary black holes. We will focus particularly on variability of the mass accretion rate, Poynting outflows and how the existence of minidisks forming onto the individual black holes may affect observable quantities from these systems.
Speaker Bio:
Vasileios Paschalidis is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Astronomy and Physics at the University of Arizona, and one of the 5 core faculty of the Theoretical Astrophysics Program at Arizona. He carry out research at the interface of gravitational physics and astrophysics. The goal of his work is to understand strong field gravitation and to solve long-standing astrophysical puzzles. Much of his work aims at modeling gravitational wave sources and multimessenger sources, especially those currently observed by both the LIGO/Virgo instruments, and a number of missions observing across the electromagnetic spectrum.
Intended Audience:
All are welcome. Those with interest in the topic.
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Event Snapshot
When and Where
Who
Open to the Public
Interpreter Requested?
No