Events During the Week of March 15th through March 22nd, 2026
Monday, March 16th, 2026
- Plasma Physics (Physics/ECE/NE 922) Seminar
- Title: BC
- Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
- Place: Engineering Hall - 1227
- Speaker: Prof. Mike Brown , Swarthmore College
Tuesday, March 17th, 2026
- Council Meeting
- Time: 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
- Place: 2314 Chamberlin
- Speaker: Kevin Black
- Host: Kevin Black
Wednesday, March 18th, 2026
- Department Meeting
- Time: 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm
- Place: B343 Sterling
- Speaker: Kevin Black, UW - Madison, Department of Physics
- Department Meeting
- Host: Kevin Black
Thursday, March 19th, 2026
- Astronomy Colloquium
- TBD
- Time: 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
- Place: 4421 Sterling Hall
- Speaker: TBD, TBD
- Abstract: TBD
- Host: TBD
- Astronomy Colloquium
- JWST Imaging of the Stellar Populations of Andromeda and Triangulum
- Time: 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
- Place: 4421 Sterling Hall
- Speaker: Prof. David Nataf, University of Iowa
- Abstract: The James Webb Space Telescope is revolutionizing virtually all areas of observational astrophysics, and that includes our nearest galactic neighbors. I discuss imaging results of three guest observer programs (2301, 2609, 3322) toward Andromeda and Triangulum, aimed at elucidating the nature of their stellar populations: their metallicity distribution functions, their star formation histories, and their chemical evolution. We can now investigate, to superior detail than ever available before, the similarities and differences between these galaxies and our own, and thus we are witness to the birth extra-galactic archaeology.
- Host: Bob Benjamin
Friday, March 20th, 2026
- Physics Department Colloquium
- Gravity, Geometry and the Quantum
- Time: 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
- Place: Chamberlin 2241
- Speaker: Abhay Ashtekar, Penn State
- Abstract: The problem of uni cation of general relativity with quantum physics was rst recog- nized by Einstein as a key open issue over a century ago. While there have been signi cant advances, we still do not have a de nitive theory. I will begin by summarizing my perspec- tives on why the problem is still open, why we have several distinct approaches, and what the current status of leading programs is. I will then discuss how big bang is naturally tamed by quantum geometry e ects in the very early universe, and how this singularity resolution creates a 2-way bridge between theory and observations. This fascinating and surprising interplay between gravity, geometry and the quantum will be presented at a general level, suitable for non-experts.
- Host: Arifa Khatee Zathul & Dan Chung