Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) are one of the most exciting recent discoveries in the field of radio astronomy, and they were discovered by astronomers right here in West Virginia. Most FRBs happen faster than you can blink an eye, and in that time they blast out more energy than our sun produces in several days. In spite of this spectacular behavior, we still don’t know what they are.
Duncan Lorimer and Maura McLaughlin, professors in the WVU Department of Physics and Astronomy in the WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences were awarded the prestigious Shaw Prize in Astronomy in 2023 for the discovery of fast radio bursts, along with their collaborator, Matthew Bailes.
The Shaw Prize is notably considered the "Nobel Prize of the East".
Lorimer and McLaughlin, are credited with helping discover fast radio bursts — intense, unexplained pulses of energy, coming from billions of light years away, that pop for mere milliseconds. Since they discovered the first one in 2007, several thousand of these mysterious cosmic flashes have been spotted.
The Shaw Prize reaffirms the magnitude of their discovery, in addition to the wealth of research and innovations they’ve contributed to the world of astronomy and toward elevating the profile of WVU.
Hosted by the WVU Department of Physics and Astronomy, the WVU Planetarium, and the WVU Research Office, Lorimer and McLaughlin will deliver a specially curated talk exploring fast radio bursts and the journey of discovery as part of their Shaw Talk for WVU.
April 11, 2024
7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
In the WVU Planetarium, PL floor in White Hall
Reception with light refreshments will follow the talk.
All are welcome to come and learn about this cosmic mystery!
Reservations are appreciated but not required.
RSVP here: https://www.ticketsource.us/booking/t-zzdxxaa