PHYSICAL MATHEMATICS SEMINAR


TOPIC:		COLLIDING GALAXIES

SPEAKER:	ALAR TOOMRE
		Department of Mathematics
		Massachusetts Institute of Technology

ABSTRACT:

By contrast with much else in this series, the present talk will be mostly
about old stuff and offer almost no equations.  Instead, via a pile of
astronomical slides and several short segments of computer-made film ---
some of which date back to the early 1970s --- I will try to provide you
with a simple review of the spectacular effects that can arise from the
Newtonian interplay of galaxies that happen to pass very close to or even
through each other.  Such accidents are infrequent, but not nearly as rare
as one might think.  Their consequences are now known to include various
tails, rings, spiral waves, and actual mergers leading not only to
starbursts and the manufacture of elliptical galaxies but even to the
occasional refueling of quasars.  Definitely some "physical math" here as
well!

DATE:		TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2001

TIME:		2:30 PM

LOCATION:	Building 2, Room 338

Refreshments will be served at 3:30 PM in Room 2-349


Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Department of Mathematics
Cambridge, MA  02139