Peterson Public Lecture - 2011
Dr. Kameshwar Wali
Physics Department
Syracuse University
Exploring the Invisible Universe: Chandra X-ray Satellite Laboratory
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
3:30 p.m.
Hale Library - Hemisphere Room
In the 21st century, we are entering into a golden age of astronomy, astrophysics and cosmology. A few decades ago, the questions one was asking about the origin of the universe, its age, its broad features such as galaxy formation, the birth, the evolution and the death of stars and many other such questions were regarded, at best, speculations, not founded on hard science and presumably never answerable. The situation has changed drastically. Astronomical observations have far exceeded our expectations. The observation of the Cosmic Microwave Background including its minute fluctuations and in-homogeneities has provided strong credence to the Big Bang cosmology. The Chandra X-ray Satellite Laboratory is the newest telescope that opens a new window for exploring the universe and its mysteries. The talk will present a brief history of X-ray astronomy, the unique features of the Chandra X-ray telescope and some of its fascinating and remarkable pictures.