Events at Physics |
Events During the Week of May 3rd through May 10th, 2026
Sunday, May 3rd, 2026
- Academic Calendar
- Exams Begin
- Abstract: *Note: actual end time may vary.* CONTACT: admin@secfac.wisc.edu
Monday, May 4th, 2026
- Academic Calendar
- Exams
- Abstract: *Note: actual end time may vary.* CONTACT: admin@secfac.wisc.edu
Tuesday, May 5th, 2026
- Academic Calendar
- Exams
- Abstract: *Note: actual end time may vary.* CONTACT: admin@secfac.wisc.edu
Wednesday, May 6th, 2026
- Academic Calendar
- Exams
- Abstract: *Note: actual end time may vary.* CONTACT: admin@secfac.wisc.edu
- Thesis Defense
- Identifying and Characterizing Dusty Star-forming Galaxies with ALMA and JWST
- Time: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
- Place: Chamberlin 5280
- Speaker: Stephen McKay
- Abstract: Understanding the formation and evolution of dusty star-forming galaxies (DSFGs) has been challenging due to the difficulty of reliably identifying them and determining their redshifts and physical properties. In my thesis, I present several studies using Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) observations to characterize the DSFG population. First, I use multiwavelength ALMA continuum observations of 870 μm-selected DSFGs to model their dust spectral energy distributions to high precision, showing that the dust properties of sources at cosmic noon are generally consistent with those seen in local galaxies and predicted by models. Second, I use a JWST/NIRCam selection to determine accurate positions for single-dish submillimeter (SCUBA-2) sources and to identify faint (S850μm < 2 mJy) DSFGs, enabling me to probe a lower star-formation rate (SFR) regime (SFR ~ 50-150 Msun/yr), below the typical limits of single-dish submillimeter surveys. I measure the physical properties and morphologies of these DSFGs, finding that the stellar masses and morphologies of the bright (S850μm > 2 mJy) sources are remarkably similar to those of the faint sources. I also observe a low fraction of major mergers in constrast with previous studies based on rest-frame optical wavelengths, suggesting that these studies may have been impacted by severe dust attenuation. Finally, I use ALMA linescans along with ancillary JWST and ground-based redshifts to achieve a nearly complete spectroscopic redshift distribution for a sample of DSFGs with S850μm > 2.5 mJy for the first time. I use these spectroscopic redshifts to test the effectiveness of various photometric redshift estimation methods and to constrain the shape of the DSFG redshift distribution.
- Host: Stephen McKay
Thursday, May 7th, 2026
- Academic Calendar
- Exams
- Abstract: *Note: actual end time may vary.* CONTACT: admin@secfac.wisc.edu
- R. G. Herb Condensed Matter Seminar
- Title to be announced
- Time: 10:00 am
- Place: 5310 Chamberlin
- Speaker: Shimon Kolkowitz, Berkeley
- Host: Mark Eriksson
Friday, May 8th, 2026
- Academic Calendar
- Exams End
- Abstract: *Note: actual end time may vary.* CONTACT: admin@secfac.wisc.edu
- Academic Calendar
- Commencement: Doctoral & Medical Professional
- Abstract: *Note: actual end time may vary.* CONTACT: admin@secfac.wisc.edu URL:
- Graduate Program Event
- Physics Graduation Celebration Event
- Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
- Place: 2241 Chamberlin
- Abstract: Come celebrate and congratulate our 2026 graduates from both the undergraduate and Ph.D. Programs! We will celebrate the Ph.D. graduates from 3:00 - 3:30, enjoy treats and ice cream from 3:30 - 4:00, and then celebrate the undergraduates from 4:00 - 5:00.
- Host: Sharon Kahn and Evan Heintz
Saturday, May 9th, 2026
- Academic Calendar
- Commencement: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Law
- Abstract: *Note: actual end time may vary.* CONTACT: admin@secfac.wisc.edu URL: