November 1, 2017 at 11:59 pm

Science Cafe | Life after Death: Element Creation in Stellar Explosions, Nov. 1

Science Café presents Dr. Zachary Meisel discussing “Life after Death: Element Creation in Stellar Explosions,”on Wednesday, Nov. 1, at 5 p.m. at the Baker Center Front Room.

Meisel, Assistant Professor of Physics & Astronomy at Ohio University, will discuss how star death produces chemical elements and how nuclear astrophysics try to recreate these explosions in the lab.

13.8 billion years ago the universe as we know it was created with the Big Bang. From a single point, a massive explosion created the lighter chemical elements, including hydrogen and helium. The universe has been expanding ever since. But how were heavier elements formed—those with more electrons, protons and neutrons? It turns out that stars are giant nuclear reactors, and when some die they collapse and then rapidly expand as a supernova explosion. The enormous pressures and temperatures that result can then lead to the formation of heavier elements.

Dr. Zach Meisel

Meisel investigates how the various elements were made in the universe. His research involves simulating stellar explosions on the computer and in Ohio University’s Edwards Accelerator Laboratory, a 4.5 million-volt tandem accelerator that is the size of a small school bus. The accelerator can crash atomic particles into each other at 14 percent of the speed of light, simulating the tremendous pressures and temperatures experienced during the Big Bang and in supernovae.

Watch live or later on A&S TV.

Sciencé Cafe events are held on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. in the Front Room at Baker University Center. They are free and open to students, faculty and staff. Science Café is a venue for students to share their interests informally during a conversation exchange in a friendly setting.

The Science Café is hosted by Dr. Sarah Wyatt, Professor of Environmental & Plant Biology and Vice President of the Ohio University Chapter of Sigma Xi, and Roxanne Malé-Brune, Director of Grant Development and Projects in the Office of the Vice President for Research and Creativity.

Science Café and Café Conversations are sponsored by the Office of Vice President for Research and Creativity and the Ohio University Chapter of Sigma Xi.