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PRODID:UW-Madison-Physics-Events
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SEQUENCE:2
UID:UW-Physics-Event-5293
DTSTART:20200206T213000Z
DTEND:20200206T230000Z
DTSTAMP:20260415T041035Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200115T190923Z
LOCATION:4421 Sterling Hall\, Coffee and cookies 3:30 PM\, Talk begins
  3:45 PM
SUMMARY:X-raying the Intersellar Medium\, Astronomy Colloquium\, Dr. E
 ddie Schalfly\, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
DESCRIPTION:The interstellar medium (ISM) is the fuel of star formatio
 n\, and its scattering and absorption of light transforms the Galactic
  radiation field. Despite its importance\, most observations of the Mi
 lky Way's ISM are limited to two dimensions\; its angular distribution
  is precisely measured\, but its distribution in distance is much more
  uncertain.  Large surveys of stars can be used to resolve this uncert
 ainty.  Because light from stars is absorbed and scattered by interven
 ing material before observation on earth\, the Galaxy's stars can be u
 sed as a dense network of lighthouses\, effectively x-raying the ISM t
 o reveal its 3D structure and properties.  In this talk\, I'll describ
 e our ongoing program to use large surveys to map the ISM in 3D.  We h
 ave mapped the density of dust in the ISM over the nearest 5 kpc at un
 precedented resolution\, highlighting complex networks of diffuse void
 s and dense star-forming regions.  We have also been able to measure t
 he size distribution of dust grains throughout the Milky Way\, reveali
 ng kiloparsec-scale structures that may track variations in the Galact
 ic star-formation rate and gas density.  Numerous other projects are p
 ossible\, ranging from studies of the 3D kinematics of the ISM to the 
 Galactic magnetic field.  New surveys and instruments like Gaia\, SDSS
 -V\, LSST\, and JWST promise a bright future for 3D studies of the ISM
 \, offering incredibly accurate distance measurements\, order-of-magni
 tude larger samples of stars\, and unrivalled sensitivitity.
URL:https://www.physics.wisc.edu/events/?id=5293
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