SEMINAR: The Galactic Bulge

An IAS Masterclass with Ken Freeman, Duffield Professor and E3 Distinguished Professor, Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, The Australian National University and 2009 IAS Professor-at-Large.

The central bulges of spiral galaxies can form via several routes. Some are produced during the assembly of galaxies, as smaller galaxies merge with larger ones. Others are formed through the violent instability of the stellar disk: the instability of the disk forms an asymmetric bar structure which then buckles to generate a box-shaped bulge. Yet others form slowly as angular momentum is gradually transported through the disk by a central bar or the spiral arms. We can study the motions and chemical properties of the bulge of our own Galaxy in great detail, and Professor Freeman will describe a large observational program which is aimed at determining how our bulge formed.

Cost: Free, but Registration is essential to attend. Register at: http://www.ias.uwa.edu.au/masterclass Registration Closing Date: Thursday 3 September, 2009