Northwestern Events Calendar

Apr
10
2015

Scott Tremaine: Is statistical mechanics useful for describing galaxies and planetary systems?

When: Friday, April 10, 2015
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM CT

Where: Technological Institute, L211, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208 map it

Audience: Faculty/Staff - Student - Public

Contact: Pamela Villalovoz   13645

Group: Physics and Astronomy Colloquia

Category: Academic

Description:

Title: Is statistical mechanics useful for describing galaxies and planetary systems?

Speaker: Scott Tremaine, Princeton Institute for Advanced Study

Abstract: There have been many attempts to apply the powerful tools of statistical mechanics to self-gravitating N-body systems such as galaxies and planetary systems. I will describe why this is difficult, some notable failures and successes, and ongoing work on two arenas where these tools offer new insight into astrophysical systems: the distribution of young stars in the central parsec of our Galaxy, and the distribution of orbits of exoplanets.

Host: Yoram Lithwick

Speaker Schedule

 

Keywords: Physics, Astronomy, colloquium

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