We started off the year back in Cahill, the astronomy and astrophysics department, after spending the last four months holding our events in Baxter Lecture Hall. Cahill is a bit smaller, but more accessible and adjacent to the athletic fields for telescope observing.
Tonight we were joined by Dr. Fiona Harrison, the Division Head of Physics, Math, and Astronomy here at Caltech, who is also the principle investigator of the NuSTAR x-ray telescope. Dr. Harrison gave a riveting talk describing what sorts of astrophysical phenomena we can view in the universe when we look in the x-ray part of the electromagnetic spectrum. She also took us through the process by which you build and launch a space telescope into space, and what happens to it over time. A unique talk from someone at the top of her field, we were glad to have her share her stories and lessons.
The weather was somewhat cooperative, so we had some telescope observing despite not having full access to the athletic fields due to construction. In addition to observing, we offered a panel Q&A on a variety of astrophysical topics. We addressed a plethora of questions on topics related to cosmology, the evolution of stars, the x-ray universe, and how we became scientists. Thanks for coming, everyone!
--Cameron
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