(2.20) The Institute for Computational and Experimental Research in Mathematics (ICERM) invites the public to a free lecture: Discovering Black Holes and Gravitational Waves: Algorithms and Simulation. If you’ve got the time, they’ve got the space.
The equations of general relativity, Einstein’s field equations, are among the most complicated partial differential equations in mathematical physics. These equations predict the existence of gravitational waves, which are propagating disturbances in spacetime itself. In 2016, the first direct observation of these waves from colliding black holes was reported on, a historic discovery that led to last years Nobel Prize. This discovery would not have been possible without intense interaction between physicists, mathematicians, and high-performance computing tools. Indeed, numerically solving Einstein’s equations for the expected wave signal and the processing of gravitational-wave datasets was enabled by advances in algorithms, numerical methods, and access to large computing resources.
Mathematician Scott Field (Ph.D. Brown) “will focus on the critical role all three played in making this historic discovery as well as summarizing current directions in computational relativity and gravitational-wave data science.”
This event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited; please register to reserve a seat here.
6pm: light refreshments served/6:30pm: lecture begins
Free and open to the public, 6pm, Wednesday, February 20, ICERM, 11th floor, 121 South Main Street, (directions)