Physics Relevant to Black Holes

Explore the physics of supermassive black holes and their destructive tidal forces in this 58-minute conference talk by Eric Coughlin from Syracuse University. Delve into the phenomenon of tidal disruption events (TDEs), where stars are torn apart by a black hole's immense gravitational field. Discover how these events transform stars into streams of stellar debris and produce observable flares of light. Learn about recent observational and theoretical advances in TDE research, and gain insights into the extreme physics surrounding supermassive black holes. Understand how studying TDEs helps illuminate the otherwise invisible environment near black holes. Explore potential classroom activities to illustrate these concepts, making this talk valuable for both researchers and educators interested in astrophysics and extreme gravitational phenomena.