Top of page

Cosmic Explosions and Cosmic Accelerators: NASA Lecture with Dr. Regina Caputo on August 8

Share this post:

This post was authored by Stephanie Marcus, Science Reference Librarian in the Science, Technology, and Business Division.

In the past, our understanding of the universe came from studying visible light. Over the last 90 years, astronomers have extended this view to other forms of light, from radio waves to gamma rays. However, light isn’t the only “messenger” we receive from the universe. Now astronomers are using gravitational waves, ghost-like particles called neutrinos, and fast-moving particles called cosmic rays to extend what light has been telling us.

Artist Concept of NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope.

Astronomical events like gamma-ray bursts and eruptions from the cores of certain types of galaxies produce some of these cosmic messengers. Recently, astronomers have been able to coordinate observations of multiple messengers from the same event, resulting in pioneering techniques that promise to revolutionize our understanding of the extreme universe. Dr. Regina Caputo will discuss the contributions of NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope to the new era of astronomy in the presentation “Cosmic Explosions and Cosmic Accelerators,” on Thursday, August 8th from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Mary Pickford Theater, James Madison Building, 3rd floor.

Dr. Caputo is an astrophysicist at Goddard and the Analysis Coordinator for the Large Area Telescope (LAT) Collaboration on the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. Her research interests include multi-messenger astrophysics and developing gamma-ray instruments for future space missions.

To learn more about this new era of astronomy, check out Fermi Project Scientist Julie McEnery’s “Exploring the Extreme Universe” and NASA scientist Ira Thorpe’s “Listening to the Universe with Gravitational Waves” webcasts.

For inquiries about this program, contact Stephanie Marcus in the Science, Technology & Business Division at [email protected] or the division office at: (202) 707-1212.

Individuals requiring accommodations for this event are requested to submit a request at least five business days in advance by contacting (202) 707-6362 or [email protected].

Comments (3)

  1. i live in Dallas, Tx. how can i listen/and or view Dr Caputo’s lecture.

  2. I thoroughly enjoyed the lecture. Thank you for hosting the lecture series. And please continue to continue to inform the public.

Add a Comment

This blog is governed by the general rules of respectful civil discourse. You are fully responsible for everything that you post. The content of all comments is released into the public domain unless clearly stated otherwise. The Library of Congress does not control the content posted. Nevertheless, the Library of Congress may monitor any user-generated content as it chooses and reserves the right to remove content for any reason whatever, without consent. Gratuitous links to sites are viewed as spam and may result in removed comments. We further reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to remove a user's privilege to post content on the Library site. Read our Comment and Posting Policy.


Required fields are indicated with an * asterisk.