SHAO Astrophysics Colloquium

Title: Probing AGN Physics with Variability Studies

Speaker: Yongquan Xue (USTC) 

Time: 3 pm, Nov. 29(Thursday)

Location: Lecture Hall, 3rd floor

Abstract: Variability is a defining and ubiquitous feature of active galactic nuclei (AGNs), and variability studies are valuable for probing AGN physical properties. In this talk, I will share with you two aspects of our recent works regarding AGN variability, after providing the relevant background information. One aspect of our works can be threaded with AGN X-ray power spectral density, and the other aspect of our works is centered around quasar UV/optical stochastic variability. Finally, I will briefly summarize my talk and discuss future prospects.

Talk

Title:  Planetary Nebulae as Probes of the Stellar and Galaxy Evolution

Speaker: Dr. Xuan Fang (方玄) from HongKong University

Time & Location: 2:00 PM, Nov. 27 (Tuesday) in the lecture hall, 3rd floor

Abstract:  Planetary nebulae (PNe) are descendants of the low- and intermediate-mass stars, which account for the majority of stellar populations in the universe.  As an important category of the interstellar medium, PNe are one of the few classes of celestial objects that are active in every part of the electromagnetic spectrum; they have proven to be ideal laboratories to study various astrophysical processes and excellent tracers of the chemistry, dynamics, and stellar populations of their host galaxy.  Today the more in-depth investigation of PNe requires cutting-edge instrumentation (e.g., IFU, AO).  I will give a talk based on my research of PNe using the world-class telescopes, including the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), the 10.4m Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC), and the 3.6m Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT).