Seminars and Colloquia at ESO Garching and on the campus

October 2025

15/10/25 (Wednesday)
10:00, Library (ESO HQ, Garching) | ESO Garching
Informal Discussion
Talk — The role of triple star evolution in forming Galactic compact binaries and Type Ia supernova progenitors
Abinaya Swaruba Rajamuthukumar (MPA)

Abstract

Binary interactions are known to drive many of the most
energetic stellar transients, yet most close binaries reside in triples,
where dynamical perturbations and coupled evolution can profoundly alter
their fates. Using models of hierarchical triple evolution, we find that
triples can produce a substantial fraction of the Galactic double white
dwarf population, comparable to the contribution from isolated binaries.
In parallel, triple interactions significantly enhance the formation of
Type Ia supernova progenitors, both through circular mergers and
eccentric collisions, yielding rates comparable to those from binaries.
In this talk, I will present population statistics demonstrating that
triple star evolution is a key but often overlooked channel in the
formation of compact binaries and supernova Ia progenitors.
11:00, USM, Scheinerstr. 1, Munich | ESO Garching
LMU Astrophysics Seminar
Talk — Forward-modeling the Cosmic Large Scale Structure for Field-level Analysis
Julia Stadler (LMU Emmy Noether Fellow)
15:30, MPA Large Seminar Room E.0.11 (MPA, Garching) | ESO Garching
Biermann Lectures
Talk — Diving deep into the stars with asteroseismology: Applications to low-frequency waves in fast-rotating stars
Prof. Conny Aerts (KU Leuven and Radboud University)
16/10/25 (Thursday)
10:00, Library (ESO HQ, Garching) | ESO Garching
Galaxy Evolution Coffee
Talk — A resolved view of dense gas at Cosmic noon
Nikki Geesink (ESO)

Abstract

Dense molecular gas is the immediate fuel for star formation, with nearby galaxies showing a tight linear relation between dense gas mass and star formation rate. However, such studies have so far been limited to the local Universe, where star formation rates are relatively modest. At Cosmic noon (z = 2–4), galaxies form stars at rates hundreds of times higher, yet it remains uncertain whether this reflects larger gas reservoirs, higher efficiencies, or both. The PRUSSIC survey marks a major advance, greatly expanding detections of dense molecular gas tracers (HCN, HCO⁺, HNC) in galaxies at Cosmic noon and delivering the first spatially resolved view of dense gas under these extreme conditions. By connecting dense gas, total molecular gas, and star formation across cosmic time, PRUSSIC provides crucial insight into how the physical drivers of star formation evolved during the peak of the cosmic star formation rate density.

10:00, USM, Scheinerstr. 1, Munich | ESO Garching
LMU Talk
Talk — Cosmology with strongly lensed supernovae
Dr. Stefan Schuldt (University of Milan)
14:15, LMU, Room 307, Theresienstrasse 41C, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, | ESO Garching
The Geoscience of Exoplanets for Astrophysicists
Talk — Earth Shaped by Primordial H₂ Atmospheres
Meng Tian (LMU)
21/10/25 (Tuesday)
12:00, Auditorium Telescopium (ESO HQE, Garching) | ESO Garching
Lunch Talk
Talk — Can J-PLUS photometry effectively trace the planetary nebula population of M33?
Giovanna Liberato (Observatory of Valongo)

Abstract

Planetary nebulae (PNe) are powerful probes of their host galaxies; however, their detection outside the Milky Way is significantly more challenging. We investigate the PN population of M33 using data from the J-PLUS survey (DR3), a 12-band photometric dataset well suited for identifying Hα emitters. While only 13 of the 143 known PNe in M33 have photometry available in the J-PLUS catalog, by performing source extraction directly on the J-PLUS images we recovered photometry for over one hundred PNe, including the 13 already cataloged, thus revealing the hidden population.
Color-color diagrams allowed us to identify possible PN candidates, most consistent with emission-line sources, and even a potential halo PN when combining radial velocities from the literature with criteria previously applied to Milky Way halo PNe.
This work represents the first attempt to explore extragalactic PNe with multi-band photometric surveys such as J-PLUS, S-PLUS, and J-PAS, highlighting their strong potential for PN research in nearby galaxies.

23/10/25 (Thursday)
12:00, Auditorium Eridanus (ESO HQE, Garching) | ESO Garching
Astronomy for Non-Astronomers
Talk — The Many Colours of Astronomy: Discovering the Hidden Universe Through Invisible Light
Paolo Padovani (ESO Garching)

Abstract

Our eyes are our window to the world but they can only perceive a tiny fraction of the radiation emitted by celestial objects. For centuries, astronomy relied on optical telescopes that observed only this “visible light.” Yet to truly understand the Universe, we must look beyond: we need to explore the entire electromagnetic spectrum, from radio waves to infrared, and even the high-energy ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays – which require space telescopes, since our atmosphere blocks them from reaching the ground.

In this one-hour talk, I will take the audience on a journey through the often unexpected milestones that led to the development of modern astronomy, explaining along the way which cosmic sources shine in each part of the spectrum. I will conclude by discussing the “cosmic light background” – the combined glow of all celestial objects that have ever existed in cosmic history — an ancient, diffuse radiation that tells the story of the Universe’s evolution.

15:15, Auditorium Eridanus (ESO HQE, Garching) | ESO Garching
Munich Joint Astronomy Colloquium
Talk — The Growing, Breathing Milky Way
Andrew Fox (Space Telescope Science Institute)

Abstract

The Milky Way is still evolving. The accretion of gas and stars from our surroundings in the Local Group continues to shape and build the Galaxy. Multi-phase gas flows play essential roles in cycling baryons and metals through the Galactic ecosystem and fueling the Galactic gas supply. In this colloquium I will review recent work on the gas flows around the Milky Way, based on UV/optical absorption-line observations from HST and VLT, H I 21 cm observations, and hydrodynamic simulations. After introducing the use of high-velocity clouds (HVCs) as tracers of Galactic inflow and outflow, I will discuss the Galaxy’s cool nuclear outflow and the giant Fermi and eROSITA Bubbles found on either side of the Galactic Center. I will then discuss the gas content of the Magellanic System, which is interacting with the Milky Way and slowly transferring large amounts of gas to the Galaxy. This will include new results on the LMC’s gaseous halo and the distance to the Magellanic Stream. 
28/10/25 (Tuesday)
12:00, Auditorium Telescopium (ESO HQE, Garching) | ESO Garching
Lunch Talk
Talk — Detectability of Wolf-Rayet stars and their He II ionizing flux in the SMC
Gemma Gonzalez Tora (Heidelberg Universityiversity)

Abstract

The discovery of high ionization emission lines in both high-redshift galaxies and nearby, metal-poor dwarf galaxies has questioned the origin of He II ionizing radiation. Current stellar population synthesis models consistently fail to reproduce the necessary ionizing fluxes, pointing to a fundamental gap in our understanding of stellar feedback and its role in cosmic reionization. Classical Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars are hot, evolved massive stars with depleted hydrogen. WR stars with prominent Nitrogen emission lines in their spectra are called WN type, further sub-divided as 'early' (WNE) when showing emission from high ionization species (e.g., He II, N V). WNE stars at low metallicity are huge contributors to the HeII ionizing flux of their host galaxy. However, the presence of WNE stars in integrated environments can be diluted, making their direct spectroscopic detection challenging. In this talk, I will directly compare stellar spectral diagnostics for the resolved WNE stars in our nearest low-metallicity dwarf galaxy, the SMC, with integrated nebular diagnostics from the Local Volume Mapper integral field survey. I will discuss the implications of our unexpected findings for population synthesis models and galaxy evolution.

30/10/25 (Thursday)
15:15, Auditorium Eridanus (ESO HQE, Garching) | ESO Garching
Munich Joint Astronomy Colloquium
Talk — to be announced
Brandon Hensley (Jet Propulsion Laboratory: NASA)

November 2025

04/11/25 (Tuesday)
12:00, Auditorium Telescopium (ESO HQE, Garching) | ESO Garching
Lunch Talk
Talk — to be announced
David Vizgan (University of Illinois)
06/11/25 (Thursday)
15:15, Auditorium Eridanus (ESO HQE, Garching) | ESO Garching
Munich Joint Astronomy Colloquium
Talk — to be announced
Melissa McClure (Leiden University)
11/11/25 (Tuesday)
12:00, Auditorium Telescopium (ESO HQE, Garching) | ESO Garching
Lunch Talk
Talk — to be announced
Laura Scholz Diaz (INAF – Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory, Florence)
13/11/25 (Thursday)
15:15, Auditorium Eridanus (ESO HQE, Garching) | ESO Garching
Munich Joint Astronomy Colloquium
Talk — to be announced
Zhaohuan Zhu (University of Nevada)
18/11/25 (Tuesday)
12:00, Auditorium Telescopium (ESO HQE, Garching) | ESO Garching
Lunch Talk
Talk — to be announced
Pradosh Barun Das (Macquarie University, Australia)
20/11/25 (Thursday)
15:15, Auditorium Eridanus (ESO HQE, Garching) | ESO Garching
Munich Joint Astronomy Colloquium
Talk — to be announced
Linda Podio (INAF)
25/11/25 (Tuesday)
12:00, Auditorium Telescopium (ESO HQE, Garching) | ESO Garching
Lunch Talk
Talk — to be announced
Timothy Davis (Cardiff University)
27/11/25 (Thursday)
15:15, Auditorium Eridanus (ESO HQE, Garching) | ESO Garching
Munich Joint Astronomy Colloquium
Talk — Cosmic Fireworks: Building Discovery Engines for Time-Domain Astronomy
Mansi Kasliwal (Caltech)

December 2025

02/12/25 (Tuesday)
12:00, Auditorium Telescopium (ESO HQE, Garching) | ESO Garching
Lunch Talk
Talk — to be announced
Eleonora Caruso (University of Amsterdam)
04/12/25 (Thursday)
15:15, Auditorium Eridanus (ESO HQE, Garching) | ESO Garching
Munich Joint Astronomy Colloquium
Talk — to be announced
Brett A. McGuire (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
09/12/25 (Tuesday)
12:00, Auditorium Telescopium (ESO HQE, Garching) | ESO Garching
Lunch Talk
Talk — to be announced
Roxana Popescu (University of Massachusetts)
11/12/25 (Thursday)
15:15, Auditorium Eridanus (ESO HQE, Garching) | ESO Garching
Munich Joint Astronomy Colloquium
Talk — to be announced
Salvatore Orlando (INAF)
16/12/25 (Tuesday)
12:00, Auditorium Telescopium (ESO HQE, Garching) | ESO Garching
Lunch Talk
Talk — to be announced
Izzy Garland (HEA Brno)
23/12/25 (Tuesday)
12:00, Auditorium Telescopium (ESO HQE, Garching) | ESO Garching
Lunch Talk
Talk — to be announced
Kalliopi Dasyra (University of Athens)