Observational Transient Astrophysics in the era of Big Data

by Maayane Soumagnac

Bar-Ilan University

at Physics Colloquium

Tue, 03 Jun 2025, 12:00
Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science & Technology (51), room 015

Abstract

We have entered a golden age in the study of astrophysical “transients” – short and often violent astronomical phenomena ranging from stellar explosions called “supernovae” to the powerful disruption of stars by black holes. The field of observational astrophysics, and specifically of transient science, is currently experiencing a “double revolution”: on the one hand, new cutting-edge telescopes are providing unprecedented copious and rich observations of transient phenomena; on the other hand, the developing field of data science is providing a plethora of new tools to analyze these observations. I will present two examples through which we try to leverage the emerging opportunities for new discoveries and breakthroughs at this very critical moment in the history of the field. (1) Using innovative search algorithms, we mine decades of archival X-ray data from space telescopes in order to capture hidden transients that were lost in the background noise. These signals promise to reveal precious information about the very first moments of stellar death, or the physical mechanisms governing stellar flares. (2) Using large amounts of new data from telescopes currently deployed in Space and on Earth, we seek to explore the links between supernova explosions and their environments, to get new insights into the unknown nature of exploding stars.

*** Refreshments at 12:00, talk at 12:15.

Created on 03-03-2025 by Kats, Yevgeny (katsye)
Updaded on 28-05-2025 by Kats, Yevgeny (katsye)