SEMINAR ANNOUNCEMENT - (two) OAT and DAUT SEMINARS - Tomorrow, Tuesday May 29th and Wednesday May 30th at 12:00 noon

[Gabriella Schiulaz]

I announce you next two OAT-DAUT seminars (on Tuesday and on Wednesday)

*********************************************************** 
                 OATS-DAUT SEMINAR 
*********************************************************** 

Speaker: Erica Ellingson (University of Colorado, Boulder) 

Title: Distant Galaxy Clusters as Probes of Dark Energy- Results from the Red Sequence Cluster Surveys 

Date: Tuesday, May 29th, 2007 
Time: 12:00 
Venue: Villa Bazzoni 

Abstract: 
Massive galaxy clusters at high redshifts are powerful probes of both galaxy and cosmological evolution. In particular, large surveys of distant clusters show promise as probes of dark energy and its equation of state, via the sensitivity of the growth of large scale structure to the history of cosmological expansion. I present results from the Red Sequence Cluster Surveys, wide-field optical surveys for galaxy clusters to z=1. Our highly efficient survey technique isolates the distinct red sequence of galaxies in these clusters, providing both cluster redshifts and a first estimate of mass from the measured cluster richness. Multi-wavelength follow-up of cluster candidates show them to be consistent in general with normal, massive clusters, with a contamination rate of < about 10%. I present X-ray, spectroscopic and weak lensing observations used to calibrate our richness-mass estimate, and a preliminary analysis of cosmological constraints from RCS-1, our first 90 square degree survey, which identified about 1000 clusters from redshifts 0.2 to 1.0. These results suggest that the 1000 square degree RCS-2 survey now in progress will provide a robust sample, unprecedented in size, of high redshift clusters for cosmological studies. 
*********************************************************** 


and on Wednesday May 30:

*********************************************************** 
                OATS-DAUT SEMINAR 
*********************************************************** 
Speaker: Andrea Vacchi (INFN Trieste) 

Title: PAMELA - A Payload for Antimatter Matter Exploration and Light- nuclei Astrophysics 

Date: Wednesday, May 30th, 2007 
Time: 12:00 
Venue: Villa Bazzoni 

Abstract: 
This talk is a review of the design and qualifications of the PAMELA antimatter spectrometer, which was launched in summer 2006 after many years of preparation and eager anticipation by the international astrophysics community. Beside summarizing the design and performance of the instrument on ground and in flight I will give a few insights on the analysis which is at present progressing full steam. 
*********************************************************** 






Future Seminars:
*********************************************************** 
OATS-DAUT SEMINAR 
*********************************************************** 
Speaker: Kenji Bekki (University of New South Wales, Australia) 

Title: Globular cluster systems and galaxy formation 

Date: Wednesday, June 6th, 2007 
Time: 12:00 
Venue: Villa Bazzoni 

Abstract: We discuss the origin of physical properties of globular cluster systems (GCSs) in galaxies in terms of galaxy formation and evolution processes. Based on numerical simulations of dynamical evolution of GCSs in galaxies, we particularly discuss (1) the origin of radial density profiles of GCSs, (2) kinematics of GCSs in elliptical galaxies, (3) transformation from nucleated dwarf galaxies into GCs (e.g., omega Centauri), (4) the origin of GCSs in the Large Magellanic Cloud, and (5) formation of intragroup and intracluster GCs.



*********************************************************** 
JOINT DAUT-ICTP-OATS-SISSA COLLOQUIUM 
*********************************************************** 
Speaker: Albert Stebbins (Fermilab, Chicago) 

Title: Cosmological Large-Scale Structure 

Date: Thursday, June 21th, 2007 
Time: 16:00 
Venue: SISSA, Room D 

*********************************************************** 




For additional information on OAT seminars see:
http://adlibitum.oats.inaf.it/seminari/

Gabriella Schiulaz
segreteria OAT
Phone: 040-3199241
schiulaz at oats.inaf.it
segreteria at oats.inaf.it