Events at Physics |
Events on Tuesday, March 24th, 2009
- Chaos & Complex Systems Seminar
- Dynamics of the white pine blister rust pathogen on wild gooseberry hosts
- Time: 12:05 pm
- Place: 4274 Chamberlin
- Speaker: Maria Newcomb, UW Department of Plant Pathology
- Abstract: The reductionist scientific approach has often been followed to increase our understanding of minimally- and intensively-managed systems for purposes of making informed management decisions. My doctoral research is on the dynamics of a host-pathogen interaction in a minimally-managed woodland system. This and other pathosystems could potentially be described as complex, chaotic, and/or poorly understood. I will present results from observational and manipulative studies on the interaction between a rust pathogen and its gooseberry hosts. Our hope is that results of individual experiments can be combined to build a better understanding of the whole system to better inform management decisions. We also recognize that features of complex and chaotic systems may either limit our abilities to put the parts together to understand the whole, or at least challenge us to interpret the combined results carefully. At the end of the talk I will invite the audience to participate in a discussion about the benefits and limitations of the reductionist experimental approach in complex plant-pathogen systems.
- Astronomy Colloquium
- The Magnetic Universe Revealed Through Radio Polarimetry
- Time: 3:45 pm
- Place: 6515 Sterling Hall
- Speaker: Bryan Gaensler, The University of Sydney
- Abstract: The evolution, structure and origin of magnetic fields are stillopen problems in physics and astrophysics. When and how were the first fields generated? Are present-day magnetic fields the result of standard dynamo action, or do they represent rapid or recent field amplification through other processes? What role do magnetic fields play in turbulence, cosmic ray acceleration and galaxy formation? I will explain how radio polarization surveys have the potential to address these questions. Specifically, I will present new Faraday rotation studies aimed at revealing the three-dimensional magnetic structure of the Milky Way, the Magellanic Clouds and distant galaxies. These studies pave the way to opening the full window to the magnetic Universe with the Square Kilometre Array and other future radio facilities.
- Host: Prof Snezana Stanirmirovic