Our dynamic universe is adorned by cosmic fireworks: energetic and ephemeral beacons of light that are a million (nova) to a billion (supernova) times brighter than our Sun. Fireworks synthesize most elements in our periodic table – while supernovae synthesize the lighter elements, neutron star mergers synthesize half the elements in the periodic table heavier than iron. Dr. Kasliwal will share with us how she discovered cosmic fireworks with robotic telescopes and how she undertook a global, panchromatic follow-up campaign to characterize the astrophysics and astrochemistry. Dr. Kasliwal will describe a brand new wide-field infrared surveyor, Palomar Gattini-IR, and the next generation WINTER, DREAMS, and Cryoscope surveyors. She will also discuss combining information from multiple messengers: light, neutrinos and gravitational waves. W. M. Keck Observatory wishes to offer our deepest gratitude to our Astronomy Talk Series sponsors, Rob and Terry Ryan.
Guest Speaker
Mansi Kasliwal
Assistant Professor
California Institute of Technology
