Relativistic astrophysics is the application of the theory of general relativity (the theory of strong gravitational fields) to problems in astrophysics. The strongest gravitational fields in the universe are associated with compact objects (neutron stars and black holes).
The main focus is on providing a clearer understanding of the electromagnetic and gravitational radiation produced by compact objects. Prof. Morsink’s research is theoretical and she uses a mix of analytical and numerical techniques.
Title and Abstract for Sharon’s talk:
Rapidly
Spinning
Neutron
Stars
and
the
Equation
of
State
of
Dense
Matter
Neutron
stars
are
tiny
stars
with
ultra-strong
magnetic
and
gravitational
fields
and
densities
larger
than
nuclear.
Their
small
size
and
large
average
densities
allow
them
to
spin
at
very
rapid
rates,
with
surface
velocities
that
are
a
large
fraction
of
the
speed
of
light.
The
very
large
gravitational
fields
and
relativistic
rotation
rates
make
it
necessary
to
use
Einstein's
theory
of
general
relativity
to
describe
these
stars.
The
pulsed
X-ray
emission
from
hot
spots
on
the
surface
of
a
rotating
neutron
star
contains
encoded
information
about
the
neutron
star’s
gravitational
field
and
the
properties
of
the
spot’s
emission
pattern.
Disentangling
these
effects
in
the
pulsed
emission
seen
by
X-ray
timing
observatories
such
as
NICER,
ASTROSAT,
eXTP,
and
STROBE-X
will
allow
the
determination
of
the
neutron
star’s
mass
and
radius,
leading
(eventually)
to
a
determination
of
the
neutron
star
equation
of
state.
In
this
talk
I
will
review
some
of
the
aspects
of
relativity
that
make
rapidly
rotating
neutron
stars
excellent
targets
for
determining
the
equation
of
state
of
cold
dense
matter.
I
will
introduce
the
method
for
extracting
the
neutron
star’s
properties
from
its
observed
waveform,
and
highlight
some
recent
X-ray
pulsar
observations
made
by
the
NICER
X-ray
telescope.