Stargazing Lecture

Because this is an online event, the in-person stargazing that normally follows events in this series will not be possible.

Join the YouTube Livestream here: https://youtu.be/5exBR_CePHo

7:00–7:30 p.m. - Virtual Lecture
7:30–9:00 p.m. - Virtual Panel Q&A and Discussion

Stars come in a range of masses and sizes. The most massive ones, more than 8 times the mass of our Sun, will go on to form black holes or neutron stars at the end of their lives. These massive stars play an important role in our universe by producing high-energy radiation and creating heavy elements. Most massive stars form in binary systems, where two massive stars orbit around each other. As they age, these massive binary stars can interact in various ways including mass transfer from one to the other, merging the two stars together, or even one star exploding in an energetic supernova! In this talk, I'll discuss how we use observations across the electromagnetic spectrum to view these massive binary stars in X-rays, ultraviolet, and visible wavelengths of light to learn more about the secret lives of these massive stars.

About the Series

Stargazing Lectures are free lectures at a public level followed by a Q&A panel and guided stargazing with telescopes (weather permitting). All events are held at the Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics at Caltech. No reservations are needed. Lectures are 30 minutes; stargazing and panel Q&A last 90 minutes. Stay only as long as you want.

Stargazing is only possible with clear skies, but the lecture and panel Q&A takes place regardless of weather.

For directions, weather updates, and more information, please visit: http://outreach.astro.caltech.edu.