Lecturer: Dr. Assaf Horesh (HUJI)
Abstract:
The dynamic radio sky is seen as a frontier area in astrophysics, ripe for discovery, as recent technological advancements enable the comprehensive study of cosmic explosions. By comparison to observations in other wavelengths, radio observations offer unique diagnostics, as they trace high-energy particles, magnetic fields - and reveal fast and relativistic outflows, which otherwise remain hidden. In the case of supernovae, the complex process of mass-loss, a key ingredient in the last stages of stellar evolution, can be illuminated by thoroughly mapping the circumstellar medium, around the progenitor. Radio observations can also help identify the physical process responsible for launching fast outflows and/or relativistic jets such as in a stellar disruption by a supermassive black hole. More importantly, whenever a new class of transients has emerged, radio observations played a key role in unveiling their nature. While the field of radio time-domain astronomy has seen a tremendous progress over the last decade, just now we are on the verge of a revolution as (a) next generation synoptic surveys searching for cosmic explosion are becoming available, (b) the radio astronomy field is experiencing a renaissance with new and improved facilities, and (c) the first detections of a gravitational wave events opened a new window for discoveries.