2 April 2009

Speaker: Vicky Kaspi (McGill)

Title: Sackler Lecture:
Magnetars: Progress and Puzzles

Abstract: The past decade has brought recognition that neutron stars have much more diverse observational properties than was previously realized. In particular, evidence for the existence of "magnetars," ultra-highly magnetized, isolated young neutron stars is now compelling. In this talk, I will review the evidence for the existence of magnetars, highlighting successes of the magnetar model in observations primarily of the so-called Anomalous X-ray Pulsars. However I will also describe the currently remaining puzzles in the field, of which there are many.

Video of the Presentation (Talks can be viewed with RealPlayer. Free download is available from www.real.com )