Abstract: The Square Kilometer Array (SKA) will be the largest Global science project of the next two decades. It will encompass a sensor network dedicated to radioastronomy, covering two continents. SKA is a large-scale international science facility involving 67 organizations in 20 countries, as well as world industrial partners and is the only global ESFRI project.
Abstract: We investigate the spin behavior of close-in rocky planets and the implications for their orbital evolution. The temporary captures in spin-orbit resonances are analyzed assuming that the planet rotation evolves under simultaneous actions of the torque due to the equatorial deformation and the tidal torque, both raised by the central star. We solve the spin-orbit (dissipative) problem through the simulation of the exact and averaged equations of motions. The results indicate that, whenever the planet rotation is trapped in a resonant motion, the orbital decay and the eccentricity damping are faster than the ones in which the rotation follows the so-called pseudo-synchronization. Applications are considered for the recently discovered hot super-Earths Kepler-10 b, GJ 3634 b and 55 Cnc e. The simulated dynamical history of these systems indicates the possibility of capture in several spin-orbit resonances; particularly, GJ 3634 b and 55 Cnc e can currently evolve under a non-synchronous resonant motion for suitable values of the parameters.
Abstract: The Eddington-inspired Born-Infeld (EiBI) theory of gravity has many attractive features. In particular, it may lead to a non- singular description of the Universe and it may accommodate compact stars made of pressureless dust.
The first meeting of the Numerical Relativity and High Energy Physics Network took place at Aveiro University, from 9-13 July 2012. This meeting brought together researchers from Brazil, Italy, Portugal, Spain and the USA, to discuss the state of the art in relativistic gravity and its application in various contexts, ranging from astrophysics to particle physics, using both anaytical and numerical techniques.
Abstract: SKA is a great project but it will be very expensive and we will have to wait a long time for it to come to fruition. In the meantime, small, inexpensive, yet exciting projects should be done lest the subject goes stale while we wait. I will talk about two possible such projects close to my heart.
An extra curricular course on "General Relativity, Cosmology and Black Holes" will run throughout the second semester 2011/12. Only basic knowledge of special relativity and Newtonian gravity will be assumed. By default, sessions will take place every friday at 14H00 in the GAP room. Some lecture notes will be handed out and exercises will be set in every session and solved in the following one.
The European Commission Research Executive Agency approved an International Research Staff Exchange Scheme (IRSES) Marie Curie action on "Numerical Relativity and High Energy Physics" (NRHEP), within the FP7 People Programme.
From astrophysics to high-energy physics, from information theory to quantum gravity, black holes have acquired an ever increasing role in fundamental physics, and are now part of the terminology of many important branches of observational, theoretical and mathematical physics. This workshop aims at bringing together experts about black holes in all their aspects.
The fourth edition of the Black Holes Workshop was held at the University of Aveiro in 19-20 December 2011.
Abstract: Evidence for an accelerated expansion of the universe has been provided ten years ago by the Hubble diagram of distant type Ia supernovae. This represents one of the major modern revolutions for fundamental physics and cosmology. It is yet unclear whether the explanation of the fact that gravity becomes repulsive on large scales should be found within general relativity or within a new theory of gravitation. Existing evidences for this acceleration all come from astrophysical observations. In this seminar I will critically examine the present situation of the astrophysical observations and the possible limitation in their interpretation. The main various observational probes will be presented and discussed. I will show that, even when scrutinized with skeptical eyes, the evidence for an accelerating universe is rather robust. Investigation of its very origin appears as the most fascinating challenge of modern physics.
Abstract: One of the most interesting and current phenomenological extensions of General Relativity is the so-called f(R) class of theories; a natural generalization of this includes an explicit non-minimal coupling between matter and curvature.
Our group coordinated the "Numerical Relativity and High Energy Physics" IRSES network (2012-2015). Here is a list of the global network meetings organized:
