Department of Physics

ColloquiaSPRING 2016www.physics.bilkent.edu.tr

M. Ali AlparSabancı University, İstanbul, TurkeyThe Detection of Gravitational Waves: Ripples in Space-time

The Physics Colloquia are designed to address a non-specialist, broad audience and introduce topics of contemporary research through lectures by leading experts. We warmly invite all members of the student body, including undergraduates enrolled in any programme.

day

MAY 04, 2016 WED EE01 15:40location time

On September 14, 2015, LIGO detected Gravitational Waves from a merging binary of two ~30 solar mass black holes using fantastic precision physics and technology in the detecting interferometer. What was looked for and found, in a historical and conceptual framework? What does the signal tell us about funda-mental physics, about the source, and about astrophysics? This will be a colloquial discussion, based on the �rst published papers.

M. Ali Alpar Education: BS: METU Physics 1972, PhD: University of Cambridge, 1977 Professional Experience: Boğaziçi University, Columbia University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, TÜBİTAK Research Institute for Basic Sciences, METU, Sabancı University. Achievements and Awards: TÜBA Council and TÜBİTAK Science Board (1993-1997), Initiative Editorial Board member of TÜBİTAK Popular Science Books, TÜBİTAK Young Scientist Encour-agement Award 1986, Sedat Simavi Award 1988,TÜBİTAK TWAS Science Award 1992, METU (1994) and Sabancı University (2003) best teaching award decided by graduating class, Sabancı University- Foundations Development Director (in charge of curriculum, 2004-2010), EU 6th Framework Marie Curie Transfer of Knowledge Project Coordinator: "Astrophysics of Neutron Stars" (2006-2010),Turkish Astronomical Society -President (1992-1994) and (2006-2012), TÜBA Member of the Council 1993-1997; Member 1993-2011 (resignation), Bilim Akademisi - The Science Academy, Turkey - Founding member, President (25 Nov 2011- ). Membership: International Astronomical Union, European Astronomical Society,mAcademia Europaea, American Philosophical Society. Research Interests: Neutron stars, pulsars.

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www.physics.bilkent.edu.tr