Description:

Mike Zevin
"A New Window to the Universe"

Abstract: A century after Albert Einstein predicted their existence, LIGO has made the first direct detection of gravitational waves. Furthermore, this detection is the first observation of a binary black hole system. Gravitational waves will allow astronomers to probe objects, events, and epochs that are inaccessible through electromagnetic observations, opening up a new window to the Universe. In this talk I will discuss highlights of this discovery, implications of this detection on astrophysics, and what the future holds for gravitational wave science. In addition, I will show how citizen science can help further gravitational wave detector capabilities through an upcoming Zooniverse project.
 

Jeff Berryman
"Exploring Large Extra Dimensions with Neutrino Oscillations"

Abstract: Neutrino oscillation experiments are fertile ground for investigating physics beyond the Standard Model. One kind of new physics is the introduction of additional spatial dimensions. These extra dimensions allow for the existence of an infinite number of neutrinos which change how the neutrinos of the Standard Model oscillate. In this talk, I will discuss how the proposed Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) can explore this hypothesis.

Pizza will be available.