January 12, 2024 8-10 PM

Event Type: Lecture and Stargazing
Title: Supernovae: The Brilliant Endings of Massive Stars
Lecturer: Michael Pajkos
Position: Postdoctoral Fellow
Institution: Caltech
Abstract:
When stars heavier than our Sun reach the ends of their lives, rapid changes inside the star can result in it exploding as a supernova. While these supernovae may produce brilliant outbursts that are visible across the universe, many will often fail, producing instead a stellar implosion. In this talk, we will review the science that governs whether a star will turn into a cosmic firework or stellar dud. We will explore the hearts of these cosmic furnaces that produce unique objects like neutron stars and black holes. Lastly, we will discover what items on a grocery list, stellar explosions, and humanity all have in common.