Past Events

back to listing

[Cancelled] Imaging the Supermassive Black Hole at the Center of the M87 Galaxy


Speaker:Dr. Chi-Kwan Chan
Affiliation:University of Arizona
Date:August 5, 2019 (Monday)
Time:11:30 a.m.
Venue:Room 522, 5/F, Chong Yuet Ming Physics Building, HKU

Abstract


The Event Horizon Telescope experiment recently revealed the first image of a black hole---the supermassive black hole at the center of the M87 Galaxy. I will provide theoretical background of black holes, give an overview of the observation and data analysis process, and explain how this image is used to measure the mass of the black hole and to test Einstein's general theory of relativity. I will also put special emphasis on the technological and computational advancements in the last decade that helped to make this result possible.

Coffee and tea will be served 20 minutes prior to the seminar.

Anyone interested is welcome to attend.