Name: Physics Seminar - MUSEing About the Proton Radius & Earliest Radio Signals
Start: 2026-03-11T12:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-03-11T13:00:00+00:00
Location: School of Mathematics and Physics Teaching Centre

Physics Seminar - MUSEing About the Proton Radius & Earliest Radio Signals

Physics Seminar - "MUSEing About the Proton Radius" and "Earliest Radio Signals from the Biggest Cosmic Explosions"
About this Event

Register to secure your place and join us for this interesting seminar with visiting academics from George Washington University.

Date: Wednesday 11th March
Time: 12.00 - 1.00pm
Location: Mathematics & Physics Teaching Centre (0G/005), Queen's University Belfast

MUSEing About the Proton Radius by Dr. Evangeline J. Downie
Abstract: Until 2010, the radius of the proton was believed to be well-known, with electron scattering and spectroscopy experiments in agreement. The CREMA collaboration published a new measurement using muonic hydrogen spectroscopy in 2010 which was an order of magnitude more precise than, but in complete disagreement with, the accepted value. There ensued a scramble to resolve the Proton Radius Puzzle. We will share the status of the Puzzle 16 years from its inception and report on the MUon Scattering Experiment which is uniquely poised to help resolve this ongoing conundrum.

Bio: Evangeline J. Downie is a Professor of Physics and Associate Dean of Research in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences in the George Washington University in Washington DC. She studies the structure and function of the nucleon at Triangle Universities Nuclear Lab, NC, USA, the MAinzer MIcrotron (MAMI) in Mainz, Germany, and in the MUSE experiment at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland. She served as the spokesperson of the MUSE experiment for six years and has received almost $4M in support for these activities from NSF and Argonne National Lab.

Earliest Radio Signals from the Biggest Cosmic Explosions by Dr. Alexander J. van der Horst
Abstract: Gamma-ray bursts are the most energetic cosmic explosions and labs for probing some of the most extreme physics. This short seminar will present recent developments in studying these multi-wavelength objects, focusing on automated observations with large radio telescopes, which are leading to new insights into the dynamics and structure of relativistic outflows, as well as particle acceleration.

Bio: Alexander J. van der Horst is an Associate Professor of Astrophysics and Chair of the Department of Physics at the George Washington University in Washington DC. His research focuses on multi-wavelength observations using observatories across the globe and in space, as well as state-of-the-art modeling, of the most extreme and explosive phenomena in the Universe. This research has resulted in 250 peer-reviewed and another 250 non-refereed publications, including more than 20 in Nature and Science, and almost 25,000 citations.