Jamee Elder - The Secret Lives of Mass Gap Black HolesJamee Elder (Tufts University)
1117 Cathedral of Learning - 11th Floor
University of Pittsburgh, 4200 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh 15260
United States
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The Center for Philosophy of Science at the University of Pittsburgh invites you to join us for our Lunch Time Talk. Attend in person at 1117 Cathedral of Learning or visit our live stream on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRp47ZMXD7NXO3a9Gyh2sg.
LTT: Jamee Elder
Friday, October 16th @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm EST
Title: The Secret Lives of Mass Gap Black Holes
Abstract:
Recent LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA observations indicate black holes in the “mass gap” where pair-instability supernovae prevent black hole formation. One leading explanation is hierarchical mergers: merging black holes that are themselves products of prior mergers. I examine the evidence for this proposal and draw two methodological lessons. First, the high spins of mass-gap black holes serve as a “smoking gun” signature of merger origin. Second, such inferences rely on narrative models which scaffold epistemic iteration as new information is incorporated. This supports an optimistic view of astrophysical methodology and its capacity to uncover even the darkest objects’ histories.
This talk will also be available live streamed on:
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YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRp47ZMXD7NXO3a9Gyh2sg.
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