X-ray-Driven Multiwavelength and Multimessenger Discovery
Daryl Haggard
McGill University


I will discuss the importance of time-resolved X-ray observations in studies of strong gravity near black holes and neutron stars, and also in the context of multiwavelength and multimessenger astrophysics. I'll draw on two exciting examples: Sgr A* and GW170817. X-ray and multiwavelength monitoring of Sgr A*, the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way, has allowed us to test whether the black hole's variations in different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, including high-contrast X-ray flares, are due to the same physical processes. These data also lay the groundwork for potential new discovery by the Event Horizon Telescope. Meanwhile, the gravitational wave and EM discovery of the NS merger GW170817 has opened a new era of multi-messenger astronomy. Chandra provided the only X-ray detections of this event, which were critical in the early interpretations of the associated short gamma-ray burst.

Date: Thursday, 22 March 2018
Time: 11:30
Where: Université de Montréal
  Pavillon Roger-Gaudry, Local D-460