Nuclear Astrophysics in the New Era of Multimessenger Astronomy

COFFEE_KLATCH  · Invited

Abstract

One of the overarching questions animating nuclear physics today is "How does subatomic matter organize itself". Neutron stars are cosmic laboratories uniquely poised to answer this fundamental question. The historical first detection of a binary neutron star merger by the LIGO-Virgo collaboration is providing fundamental new insights into the astrophysical site for the r-process and on the nature of neutron-rich matter. In turn, the study of nuclei at new exotic-beam facilities throughout the world will help elucidate the underlying dynamics of the r-process and the structure, dynamics, and composition of neutron stars. In this presentation I will discuss how this synergy -- in combination with nuclear physics insights, modern theoretical approaches, and powerful statistical ideas -- can pave the way to understanding these fascinating objects.

*Work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy under Award Number DE-FG02-92ER40750.

Authors

  • Jorge Piekarewicz

    • Florida State University