Physics at the Black Hole Frontier: The McGill Extreme Gravity and Accretion Group

新颖性和冲击力：我领导的麦吉尔极端引力和吸积小组研究宇宙中物质、黑洞和中子星的最极端端点。最先进的天体物理实验正在推动黑洞研究的快速创新，包括事件视界望远镜(EHT)、激光干涉仪引力波天文台及其欧洲对应的处女座(LIGO-处女座)的革命性发现。在过去的5年里，我与这些合作伙伴密切合作，获得了M87星系中超大质量黑洞视界的第一张阴影图像，并首次联合探测到来自单一来源的引力波和电磁辐射，中子星合并了GW170817。这项研究计划推进了对爱因斯坦广义相对论、等离子体和吸积物理的尖端观测测试，并继续推动黑洞的前沿。结果：在接下来的5年里，我的团队将领导雄心勃勃的观测活动，并与EHT和LIGO-Virgo合作，推动新的发现。我们的主要目标包括(1)发布首张银河系超大质量黑洞人马座A*的EHT加多波长图像，(2)与EHT和其他天文台一起探测黑洞喷流的起源，以及(3)超越单一联合探测中子星碰撞的范围，以确定更多的黑洞和中子星合并，为新的引力波多信使天体物理领域奠定基础。该计划将支持四名博士后研究员，七篇研究生水平的论文，以及五个或更多的本科生研究项目。我和我的团队密切合作，培养科研技能，培养智力独立和自信。我还致力于创造一个包容和尊重的研究环境。这些项目提供了极好的机会来培训多波长和多信使天体物理学方面的博士后、研究生和本科生，培养他们强大的数据分析、计算机编程、写作和演示技能，为他们在学术物理内外的职业生涯做好准备。对加拿大的好处：除了培训下一代科学家的重要影响外，该计划还将使加拿大科学家和公众充分参与到快节奏和令人兴奋的黑洞和中子星发现领域。第一张黑洞图像的影响波及全球，并及时提醒人们，科学探索可以如何团结国家和人民。天文学迫使所有年龄和背景的公民深入思考我们在宇宙中的位置。我的团队正在积极地与更广泛的社区进行接触，并将努力通过新闻稿、新闻文章、公共演讲、社交媒体和其他创造性场所将我们的劳动成果带到公共领域。

Novelty and Impact: The McGill Extreme Gravity and Accretion group, which I lead, investigates the most extreme endpoints for matter in the Universe, black holes and neutron stars. State-of-the-art astrophysics experiments are enabling rapid innovation in studies of black holes, including revolutionary discoveries from the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT), and the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory and its European counterpart Virgo (LIGO-Virgo). In the last 5 years I have worked closely with these collaborations to achieve the first image of the shadow of a supermassive black hole's event horizon in the galaxy M87, and the first joint detection of gravitational waves and electromagnetic radiation from a single source, the neutron star merger GW170817. This research program advances these cutting-edge observational tests of Einstein's theory of general relativity and of plasma and accretion physics, and continues to push black hole frontiers. Outcomes: In the coming 5 years, my team will lead ambitious observing campaigns and work with EHT and LIGO-Virgo to drive new discoveries. Our key objectives include (1) releasing the first EHT plus multi-wavelength images of the Milky Way's supermassive black hole, Sagittarius A*, (2) probing the origins of black hole jets with EHT and other observatories, and (3) pushing beyond a single joint detection of a neutron star collision to identify a larger population of black hole and neutron star mergers, laying the foundation for the new field of gravitational wave multi-messenger astrophysics. This program will support four postdoctoral fellows, seven graduate-level theses, and five or more undergraduate research projects. I work closely with my team to cultivate scientific research skills and develop intellectual independence and confidence. I also work to create an inclusive and respectful research environment. These projects offer excellent opportunities to train postdocs, and graduate and undergraduate students in multi-wavelength and multi-messenger astrophysics, developing strong data analysis, computer programming, writing, and presentation skills that will prepare them for careers both inside and outside of academic Physics. Benefits to Canada: In addition to the important impact of training the next generation of scientists, this program will keep Canadian scientists and the public fully engaged in the fast-paced and exciting discovery domain of black holes and neutron stars. The impact of the first image of a black hole rippled across the globe and served as a timely reminder of how scientific exploration can unite nations and peoples. Astronomy compels citizens of all ages and backgrounds to think deeply about our place in the Universe. My team is actively engaged in outreach to the broader community and will work to bring the fruits of our labours into the public sphere via press releases, news articles, public talks, social media outlets, and other creative venues.