Nachts auf der Sternwarte

The lecture series "Nights at the Observatory" presents an extensive program of lectures on a variety of topics on astrophysics. The lectures are accessible to the general public and are held in German or English (see program). After the talk there is a visit to the Great Refractor.

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Speed Junkies - The origin and fate of the fastest stars in the Galaxy

Buckle up and prepare for an interstellar ride! In this talk, we’ll dive into the thrilling world of the fastest stars in the Milky Way – hypervelocity stars. These cosmic speed junkies are tearing through space at breakneck velocities, often fast enough to escape the gravitational grip of our galaxy. But where do these runaway stars come from, and what drives them to such extraordinary speeds?

We’ll explore the explosive scenarios that create them, from close encounters with the supermassive black hole at the heart of the Milky Way to the dramatic aftermath of stellar explosions. Along the way, you’ll discover how astronomers track these stellar speedsters and use them as cosmic probes to map the unseen structure of our galaxy.

Whether you’re a stargazer, a thrill-seeker, or just curious about the extremes of the universe, this talk will leave you racing to learn more about the fast and furious lives of hypervelocity stars — and what their ultimate fate reveals about the vast, dynamic cosmos we call home.

The lecture will be given in the lecture room of the University Observatory and and will also be streamed online. The link to the video stream can be found below, in the section "Livestream".

Dr. Prashin Jethwa

In English

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