This presentation by Prof. Jarrett will review the history and current state of studies in starburst galaxies, as well as discuss how the SKA-era will open new windows towards understanding the starburst phase of galaxy evolution.
Members of the public are invited to a public lecture at the SA Astronomical Observatory in Cape Town on 14 June 2014, starting at 20h00. Prof. Thomas Jarrett (UCT) will present a talk entitled Dust in the Wind: the life and times of Starburst Galaxies in the Universe. This will be followed by a tour of the site and (weather permitting) stargazing.
Summary of the talk
Invisible to conventional telescopes and lurking deep within their dusty birth cocoons, starburst galaxies were only discovered in the 1980’s with space telescopes and infrared sensing technology. Characterised by ferocious consumption of their interstellar gas in the formation of massive stars, these galaxies exhibit one of the most extreme growth phases during their interminable evolution. Energy trapped from such intense star formation excites the rich gas and dust reservoir producing ‘glow in the dark’ infrared radiation. Because of this outstanding feature, starbursts are ideal laboratories to study the often complex (feedback) interaction between the formation of stars and their powerful winds, their evolving environment and the physical mechanisms that energise the interstellar medium. In this presentation, Prof. Jarrett will review the history and current state of studies in starbursts galaxies, as well as discuss how the SKA-era will open new windows towards understanding the starburst phase of galaxy evolution.
Venue
The Open Night will take place at the SAAO in Cape Town. The SAAO is located off Liesbeeck Parkway, next to the River Club.
