The Gravitas of Gravity Waves
Jim Fuller - Caltech
Gravity waves are low frequency fluid oscillations restored by buoyancy forces that propagate in planetary and stellar interiors. Despite their ubiquity, the importance of gravity waves for evolutionary processes and asteroseismology has only recently been fully appreciated. I will discuss the effects of gravity waves in three very different astrophysical contexts: the evolution of Saturn and its moons, the internal rotation rates of stars, and the transport of energy in massive stars and supernovae. In the Saturn system, gravity waves in the planet can be observed via their effect on Saturn's rings, and they could play a pivotal role in the migration, tidal heating, and habitability of the moon Enceladus. In core-collapse supernovae, gravity waves launched by proto-neutron star convection may constitute an important yet previously neglected source of energy for driving explosions. I will conclude with a discussion of how upcoming observations will increase the gravity of the situation.
Coffee and Donuts served at 3:15pm in 4054 McPherson Laboratory.
