Niels Bohr Lecture by Drummond Fielding, Cornell University
Bridging the Divide: A Multi-Scale Approach to Galaxy Formation
Galaxies are at the core of nearly all modern astrophysical studies. They serve as essential cosmological probes, tracing the structure of the universe, while also providing the stage on which stars form and black holes grow. Despite their incredible importance, our understanding of galaxy evolution remains far from complete.
There are fundamental inconsistencies between our best models and observations. The key piece in this cosmic puzzle lies in deciphering the complex balance between the inflows and outflows that shape galaxies and regulate the fuel supply for their continued growth.
Understanding these galactic gas flows has, to date, been inhibited by the seemingly insurmountable range of spatial and temporal scales inherent to the governing processes.
I will describe recent efforts to bridge this vast range of scales and illuminate the principles underlying galaxy formation using novel simulations that connect small-scale processes, like atomic cooling and turbulent mixing, with larger-scale phenomena, such as supernova explosions and cosmological structure formation.
Our new model points to an intuitive picture that aims to reconcile the tension at the heart of galaxy formation.
About the speaker
Drummond is a theoretical astrophysicist primarily interested in how galaxies form and what goes on in the circumgalactic medium. In all his work he seeks to use controlled numerical experiments in combination with analytic modeling to develop an intuitive understanding of the key physical processes controlling the problems he is studying.
He received his Ph.D. from UC Berkeley where he worked with Eliot Quataert. Before going to Berkeley, he studied physics and math at Johns Hopkins University.
Since November 2018, he has been a Flatiron Research Fellow at the Center for Computational Astrophysics in the Flatiron Institute. Drummond recently started as a faculty member at Cornell University in New York
Coffee, tea and cake will be served outside Aud. 3 at 15:45
Niels Bohr Lectures er en engelsk-sproget foredragsrække på Niels Bohr Institutet med kendte forskere fra hele verden.
Foredragene holdes cirka 10 gange om året og er offentlige. De er for studerende og ansatte ved Niels Bohr Institutet samt andre med interesse for at høre om videnskabelig forskning i verdensklasse. Foredragene holdes på et ikke-teknisk niveau, hvor de kan forstås af alle med en baggrundsviden, der svarer til de første år på fysikstudiet.
Tidspunkt og sted: Hvis intet andet er anført, finder foredragene sted kl. 16.15 i Auditorium 3 på H.C. Ørsted Institutet, Universitetsparken 5, 2100 København Ø. Kaffe og kage serveres en halv time inden foredraget starter.
What, where and when?
The lectures are public and held about 10 times a year. The lectures are for students and staff at the Niels Bohr Institute and others interested in worldwide scientific research. The lectures are held on a non-technical level where they can be understood by anyone with a background similar to the first year of physics study.
Time and place: Unless otherwise specified, the lectures take place at. 16.15 in Auditorium 3 at H.C. Ørsted Institute, Universitetsparken 5, 2100 Copenhagen Ø. Coffee and cake will be served half an hour before the lecture starts.