Talks

Readings:
The basics of gravitational wave theory, by Flanagan & Hughes, https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1367-2630/7/1/204
Gravitational-Wave Tests of General Relativity with Ground-Based Detectors and Pulsar-Timing Arrays, by Yunes et al. https://arxiv.org/pdf/2408.05240
Tests of General Relativity with GW150914, LIGO Collaboration, https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.116.221101
Tests of general relativity with the binary black hole signals from the LIGO-Virgo catalog GWTC-1, LIGO Collaboration, https://journals.aps.org/prd/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevD.100.104036
Probing the black hole metric: Black hole shadows and binary black-hole inspirals, by Psaltis et al., https://journals.aps.org/prd/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevD.103.104036
New horizons for fundamental physics with LISA, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41114-022-00036-9

For the first time in history, we have captured images of black holes, allowing us to study their event horizons—the very boundaries beyond which nothing escapes. This achievement, realized through the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT), was the result of two decades of innovation, collaboration, and technological advancements. By linking radio telescopes across the globe, we created an Earth-sized observatory capable of resolving the shadows cast by supermassive black holes. These images have confirmed Einstein’s predictions, tested gravity in extreme conditions, and provided unprecedented insights into black hole physics. But this is just the beginning. Future advancements in imaging techniques, additional telescopes, and space-based interferometry will sharpen our view and allow us to explore black holes across the universe. As we push the boundaries of observation, we will uncover even more mysteries about these enigmatic cosmic giants and their role in shaping galaxies.

Astrophysical compact objects, neutron stars, and black holes are powerful sources of non-thermal electromagnetic emission spanning many orders of magnitude in photon energy, from radio waves to multi-TeV gamma rays. Despite multiple groundbreaking observational discoveries done in recent years, our understanding of the dynamics of relativistic plasmas that produce these emission signatures remains limited. In this talk, I will describe a few successful examples of modeling the observed light coming from these remarkable astrophysical laboratories using various numerical approaches. I will focus on advances in understanding coherent radio emission of rotating neutron stars, pulsars, and multi-wavelength flares from accreting black holes.