Physics Colloquium, June 3, 2003

Evolution of Black Hole Binaries in the Galaxy; The Possibility that they are Fossil Evidence of Gamma Ray Bursters

Gerald Brown

SUNY, New York

We argue that binaries are necessary for the giant progenitor to collapse into a high-mass black hole which is spinning fast enough to power a gamma ray burster. Properties of the companion star provide a history of the black hole and gamma ray burster formation.

3.30 p.m., Smith Laboratory, Room 1005

Refreshments served in Smith 1094 at 3:00 p.m.