Watson Lecture: Katerina Chatziioannou Explores the Struggle Between Matter and Gravity in the Universe
How do we learn more about the universe's most extreme objects? On November 20, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. PT in Caltech's Beckman Auditorium, theoretical astrophysicist Katerina Chatziioannou, assistant professor of physics and William H. Hurt Scholar, will describe how she uses gravitational waves to study collisions of neutron stars and black holes.
In a public talk called "Matter vs. Gravity: Listening to Colliding Black Holes and Neutron Stars with Gravitational Waves," Chatziioannou will delve into the work of her research group to explore how the universe is shaped by the struggle of forces between matter and the attraction of gravity that brings matter together. Neutron stars and black holes are both extremely dense objects formed during the death of supermassive stars, but the gravity of black holes is so strong that nothing, including light, can escape. When the two collide, powerful gravitational waves are released that can provide insights into these extreme entities.
"Out of the things that affect the world around us, gravity is probably the one we think the least about as long as we have both our feet on the ground," says Chatziioannou, who uses data from space-based and ground-based gravitational-wave detectors like Caltech's Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory, or LIGO, to investigate the properties of neutron stars and black holes. "But as far as I'm concerned, it's the most interesting, the most mysterious of them all."
Starting at 6 p.m., members of Chatziioannou's lab will be present to answer questions about their current research. Caltech Astro Outreach will also have telescopes available for viewing the night sky.
Originally from Greece, Chatziioannou received a bachelor's degree in physics from the University of Athens. In 2016, she earned a PhD in physics from Montana State University and was awarded the Jürgen Ehlers Thesis Prize from the International Society on General Relativity and Gravitation. Prior to coming to Caltech in 2020, Chatziioannou was a postdoctoral fellow at the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics and at the Center for Computational Astrophysics of the Flatiron Institute. In 2022, Chatziioannou was selected as an Alfred P. Sloan research fellow in physics, earned an early career award from the U.S. Department of Energy, and received the 2022 Young Scientist Prize in General Relativity and Gravitation from the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics.
The Watson Lectures offer new opportunities each month to hear how Caltech researchers are tackling society's most pressing challenges and inventing the technologies of the future. Join a community of curiosity outside Beckman Auditorium to enjoy food, drinks, and music together before each lecture. Interactive displays related to the evening's topic will give audience members additional context and information. The festivities start at 6 p.m. Guests are also encouraged to stay for post-talk coffee and tea as well as the chance to converse with attendees and researchers.
The first 150 guests to check in at the 6 p.m. preshow on November 20 will receive a free tote bag. Plus, attend three or more Watson lectures this season to receive a commemorative pin while supplies last; be sure to remember your punch card if you're returning for your second lecture, or pick one up at check-in if this is your first.
Learn more about the Earnest C. Watson Lecture Series and its history at Caltech.edu/Watson.
Watson Lectures are free and open to the public. Advance registration for this lecture is full. There will be a standby line at the event, and a recording will be made available.
