future events

Recent developments in strong lensing science: From cosmic telescopes to cosmic microscopes

TYPEAstrophysics Seminar
Speaker:Adi Zitrin
Affiliation:BGU
Date:02.06.2021
Time:14:30
LocationZoom LINK
Abstract:

Over the past 2–3 decades, lensing by galaxy clusters has enabled unique insight on various scientific areas in astronomy and astrophysics. These include, primarily, dark matter—mainly mapping its distribution in the cluster or weighing the clusters for constraining structure formation and cosmology; and a deeper view into lensed galaxies and most notably high-redshift galaxies, thanks to lensing magnification. In the past five years or so, there have been some further developments that allow for more unprecedented and exciting science using strong lensing—involving lensed transients such as lensed supernovae and caustic crossing events, or lensed gamma-ray bursts, fast radio bursts, and gravitational waves. In this talk I will review some of these advancements, as well as take the opportunity to mention some international programs in which we are involved, relevant to the growing list of science cases that greatly benefit from lensing.