Dynamics of Low-Mass Stellar Systems: From Star Clusters to Dwarf Galaxies
European Southern Observatory Headquarters
Santiago, Chile, April 4-8, 2011
http://www.eso.org/sci/meetings/2011/dynamics2011.html
Anna Lisa Varri
Fulbright Visiting Ph.D. Student
Drexel University
Department of Physics
Advisors: Prof. E. Vesperini and Prof. S. L. W. McMillan
I recently returned from a very exciting International Conference held at the European Southern
Observatory (ESO) premises in Santiago, Chile. ESO is the largest European intergovernmental
science and technology organization in astronomy. It carries out a large-scale programme focused on
the design, construction and operation of ground-based astronomical observing facilities located in
Atacama Desert in Chile. It also plays a leading role in promoting cooperation in astronomical research,
in particular by organizing several meetings every year, both in Europe and Latin America.
The Conference has been one of the most important meetings in 2011 on stellar dynamics, attended by
many leading experts in this research field, i.e. the branch of theoretical astrophysics devoted to the
study of the collective motions of stars subject to their mutual gravitational interaction. At the low-mass
end of stellar systems, there used to be a well known dichotomy: on the one hand, there are star
clusters, whose internal dynamics can generally be well described by the Newtonian Gravity Law. On
the other hand, there are the much more extended dwarf galaxies, whose dynamics appear to be Dark
Matter dominated and which are usually related to cosmological substructures. These classical
boundaries have been blurred by the recent discovery of new classes of stellar groupings. This meeting
brought together, for the first time, a mix of scientists that work on the dynamics of these two classes of
stellar systems (l belong to the star clusters side), in order to exchange ideas and in particular to
discuss to which extent those stellar systems actually share a common origin and how are they linked
in their dynamical evolution.
On a more personal note, I had the opportunity to present an oral contribution entitled: “Tides, Rotation
Or Anisotropy? New Self-consistent Models For Globular Clusters”, in which I summarized my doctoral
thesis research, up to its latest developments carried out at Drexel University. It has been a very
gratifying experience, since I received a number of positive comments on my results, from both the
theoretical and the observational side. Several scientists from different groups asked me to make
publicly available the numerical tools that I developed during my research period at Drexel University.
In addition, I have been invited by Professor P. Kroupa from the Argelander-Institut fur Astronomie in
Bonn, Germany to give a seminar at his institution during the Summer, in order to further discuss my
results. Those interactions are indeed very important in view of future collaborations and of the
continuation of my studies as a post-doctoral researcher, position for which I will apply starting from this
Fall. Therefore, I am extremely grateful for having received this International Travel Award, which made
this opportunity possible.
Official Conference photo, taken in the peaceful park of the ESO headquarters in Santiago.
Inner courtyard of the ESO Main Building in Vitacura, Santiago.
Best office ever, don’t you agree?
During a few relaxing moments …
Funicular on San Cristobal Hill
Santiago, from the top of the hill
Mural in Santiago for the 35th death
anniversary of Pablo Neruda.
Pablo Neruda’s house in Valparaiso,
Greater Santiago Area.