Conveners
[BS3] The future of Astronomy
- Minjae Kim (University of Warwick)
Description
Astronomy and astrophysics provide valuable insights into our present and future by uncovering the fundamental laws that govern the cosmos, rather than being just subjects that explore the past of the Universe. Recent discoveries in these fields have demonstrated that the universe is far more intricate than previously thought, creating more questions than answers. For instance, the origins of matter and energy, the conditions at the universe's dawn, and the existence of habitable exoplanets still remain elusive.
In this proposed session, we will discuss innovative astronomical concepts and technology that are based on a sophisticated understanding, with the aim of inspiring new research directions and deepening our appreciation of the universe's mysteries. We will also explore cutting-edge tools in astrophysics, such as the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), which will revolutionize our understanding of the universe through their advanced capabilities.
Since the discovery of the accelerating expansion of the universe [1,2], observational cosmology using Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), the thermonuclear explosions of white dwarfs, has entered a mature stage. However, the physics of the SNe Ia, such as a progenitor system and explosion mechanism, are still not fully understood [3]. Regarding the progenitor star, current studies use a host galaxy...
The MIDAS (Micro-Imaging Dust Analysis System) atomic force microscope on board the Rosetta comet orbiter investigated and measured the 3D topography of a few hundred nm to tens of μm sized dust particles of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko with resolutions down to a few nanometers, giving insights into the physical processes of our early Solar System.
We analyze the shapes of the cometary dust...
