Astrophysical Sciences and Technology Colloquium: Stellar Multiplicity With Large Spectroscopic Surveys

Astrophysical Sciences and Technology Colloquium
Stellar Multiplicity With Large Spectroscopic Surveys

Dr. Carlos Badenes
University of Pittsburgh

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Abstract:
I will discuss our present knowledge of the statistics of stellar multiplicity (the multiplicity fraction and the distribution of periods, mass ratios, and eccentricities), and the implications for stellar evolution, in particular for supernovae (SNe) and stellar sources of Gravitational Waves. I will describe how multi-epoch radial velocity measurements from large spectroscopic surveys, augmented by parallaxes from Gaia, can open a new observational window on stellar multiplicity, and present two case studies: white dwarfs in SDSS/SEGUE, and main sequence and red giant stars in SDSS/APOGEE. For the white dwarfs, we can measure their merger rate and evaluate their viability as Type Ia SN progenitors. For the main sequence and rad giant stars, we can explore the interplay between stellar evolution and stellar multiplicity, evaluate the rate of stellar mergers, and investigate the strong relationship between chemical composition and the multiplicity fraction.

Speaker Bio:
I am an Professor at the Department of Physics and Astronomy of the University of Pittsburgh. I specialize in Stellar Astrophysics. My research interests include supernovae, supernova remnants, stellar evolution, stellar multiplicity, and data science. I am particularly intrigued by the progenitor systems of Type Ia supernovae. Before coming to Pittsburgh in 2011, I held postdoctoral positions at the Department of Astrophysics of Tel-Aviv University and the Experimental Astrophysics Group of the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel; the Department of Astrophysical Sciences of Princeton University, and a the Department of Physics and Astronomy of Rutgers University. I got my PhD in Astrophysics in 2004 from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) and the Insititut d’Estudis Espacials de Catalunya (IEEC) in Barcelona, Spain.

Intended Audience:
Those with interest in the topic. Open to RIT and UofR Physics and Astronomy communities.

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