Colloquia Schedule Fall 2016

Colloquia are on Tuesdays (unless otherwise indicated) at 3:30 pm in RLM 15.216B


Aug. 30	*Setting Stellar Chronometers: The PTF(+) Open Cluster Survey* abstract Marcel Agueros Columbia University host: Adam Kraus
Sep. 6	*Exploring Galaxy Formation in the Epoch of Reionisation* abstract Stephen Wilkins University of Sussex host: Steve Finkelstein
Sep. 13	*The Milky Way Laboratory* abstract Cara Battersby Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics host: Neal Evans
Sep. 20	No talk scheduled
Sep. 27	Spin and Magnetism in Cool Stars abstract Elisabeth Newton Massachusetts Institute of Technology Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research host: Andrew Mann
Oct. 4	A Story of Stellar Nurseries abstract Nia Imara Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics host: Caitlin Casey
Oct. 11	Network Cosmology: What can we learn from galaxy Facebook? Sungryong Hong Comet Update! Adam McKay The Fossil Record of Binary and Planetary Orbits Trent Dupuy UT Postdocs (Three talks)
Oct. 18	Formation and Compositions of Planet Interiors and Atmospheres: Discoveries from Kepler, K2, and beyond abstract Erik Petigura California Institute of Technology host: Brendan Bowler
Oct. 25	The Future of Exoplanet Science at McDonald Observatory abstract Paul Robertson Penn State University host: Greg Mace
Nov. 1	Building Supermassive Black Hole Binaries abstract Kelly Holley-Bockelmann Vanderbilt University host: Craig Wheeler/Eva Noyola
Nov. 8	Towards the Characterization of Potentially Habitable Planets with High Resolution Spectroscopy abstract Matteo Brogi University of Colorado Boulder host: Dan Jaffe
Nov. 15	Controlling Star Formation: From Clouds to Galaxies abstract Eve Ostriker Princeton University host: Volker Bromm
Nov. 22	Drilling the Chicxulub Impact Structure: Study of large impact formation and effects on life abstract Sean Gulick The University of Texas at Austin Institute for Geophysics host: Bill Cochran

Nov. 29	Dust-obscured star formation at the Cosmic Frontier : New observations from the Large Millimeter Telescope abstract Alexandra Pope University of Massachusetts Amherst host: Caitlin Casey
Dec. 6	Moving Near Field Cosmology Beyond the Local Group Since the dynamical time within a typical galaxy halo is large, evidence of galaxy buildup in the form of streams, shells and dwarf galaxies allow for quantitative studies that provide stringent tests of our picture of galaxy formation. This, in a nut shell, is 'Near Field Cosmology' -- studying the nearby Universe to understand galaxy formation. Over the last decade, wide-field surveys have revolutionized our view of the Local Group, with dozens of new streams and satellite galaxies now amenable to study. However, to verify that our understanding of galaxy formation is correct, we must measure the faint satellite and stellar stream content of a variety of galaxies, across morphologies, mass scales and environments. This has not been accomplished yet. Here I'll talk about several programs to move Near Field Cosmology beyond the Local Group in order to broaden our understanding of galaxy halo substructure. Our group has conducted panoramic imaging surveys around three of our nearest galaxy neighbors -- NGC 253, Centaurus A and NGC 3109 -- to measure their faint end satellite luminosity function and to understand the buildup of their stellar halos, all in resolved stars. We have also searched for optical counterparts to the recently discovered population of ultra compact high velocity HI clouds in order to find isolated, star-forming dwarfs in the Local Volume. Over the next decade, new instrumentation and techniques should decisively measure the faintest stellar substructures across all galaxy environments, and will allow direct tests of galaxy formation models -- I will highlight what progress can be made with LSST, WFIRST and ELT-era telescopes. close David Sand Texas Tech University host: Kristy McQuinn