Research
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2025.06.19
Probing wandering black holes with off-nuclear tidal disruption events
The hierarchical assembly of galaxies and dynamics in galactic nuclei naturally predict a significant population of off-nuclear massive black holes (MBHs), yet direct observational evidence remains scarce. The demographics of these off-nuclear MBHs offer critical insights into the formation of MBH mergers, the nature of ultra-compact dwarf galaxies, and the co-evolution of MBHs and their host g...
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2025.06.16
Towards a new generation of reflection models for precision measurements of accreting black holes
Blurred reflection features are commonly observed in the X-ray spectra of accreting black holes. In the presence of high-quality data and with the correct astrophysical model, X-ray reflection spectroscopy is a powerful tool to probe the strong gravity region of black holes, study the morphology of the accreting matter, measure black hole spins, and test Einstein's theory of General Relativity ...
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2025.06.11
Local Group Analogs in a cosmological context: Relating the velocity structure to the cosmic web
The Local Group (LG), as a gravitationally bound system of the Milky Way and Andromeda, as well as their satellites, is a cornerstone of near-field cosmology. However, its utility as a cosmological probe requires understanding how it is related to the cosmic web. Using the ABACUSSUMMIT simulation, we identify LG analogues and quantify their environmental dependence. We find that the coupling en...
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2025.06.10
New models to interpret near and far observations of the metal-poor Universe
The Universe started without the heavy elements that make the complexity of our surrounding world (e.g. carbon, oxygen). In this talk, I will showcase advances in the numerical modelling of how these chemical elements are produced in stars, how they are dispersed around young galaxies by energetic events, and how they get ionized to power the emission and absorption lines we observe in the spec...
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2025.06.10
Do's and don'ts of observing proposal writing
Advances in astrophysics are often data driven. Yet, large observing facilities capable of collecting the most sensitive data are expensive. Telescope time therefore constitutes a precious resource, part of which is allocated via an open and competitive process. In this session, I will share reflections on observing proposal writing, aimed primarily at junior scientists (PhDs, postdocs) who are...
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