Christian Henkel (Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy, Bonn)

From Narrabri to the Edge of the Universe - Dr Christian Henkel Colloquium

ATNF Marsfield Lecture Theatre

Abstract

Having visited ATNF during three consecutive years and more and more
appreciating the unique opportunities provided by the `local'
observatories, the initial part of the talk will address ATCA, MOPRA, SEST
and APEX observations of low Dec targets, including a unique maser in a
late-type star, a prominent molecular void in one of the most vigorously
star forming galactic hotspots, and very recently taken maps of the
galactic center region that highlight the great potential of the upgraded
MOPRA telescope.

After discussing (nuclear) jet induced star formation in a nearby spiral
galaxy and trying to extrapolate the impact of this finding to high z
targets, new data from the most luminous known galaxy are presented and a
new way to improve our knowledge of cosmological parameters within the
standard model is introduced.