Eta Carinae: A binary system of two massive stars that are interacting and losing mass.

Photo: NASA Goddard

Mission statement

Scope

Conducting and leveraging the multi-messenger observations of extreme objects (EO) to probe the physics and populations of compact objects and high energy explosions using state-of-the-art theoretical and numerical modelling.

How

Identify the missing pieces of physics. Increase collaboration between instrumentalists, observational and theoretical scientists.  Develop, grow and sustain a community with unique breadth in knowledge and expertise on EO evolution, while training and supporting early career researchers in the field. Connect the studies from the earliest moments of stellar collapse to the emission of the last detectable radiation into a coherent whole.

The Extreme Objects Working Group at the Oskar Klein Centre summons researchers working on the most compact and energetic astrophysical objects in the universe. Much of the research connects to transient objects, like supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, active galactic nuclei, and macronovae. Observationally, group members have engagements in the Zwicky Transient Facility to observe transients at optical wavelengths, and in FERMI to detect the transient gamma-ray sky, as well as the IceCube neutrino observatory. A group at KTH has developed their own X-ray polarisation balloon experiment (PoGO) to probe the Crab Nebula and the black hole Cygnus X1. Theoretical work on relativistic hydrodynamics underpins such efforts, just as theoretical exploration of supernova spectral synthesis and prompt emission from gamma-ray bursts accompany the observational programs.

Meetings

Slack channel: #okc-eo

Upcoming meetings of the Extreme Objects Working Group