Astroparticles: Illuminating the dark universe
A morning of discovery with researchers from the Tel Aviv University Institute for Particle and Astroparticle Physics (TIPAP): Their talks will explore one of the greatest mysteries in modern science - dark matter, the invisible substance that makes up most of the universe’s mass yet remains undetected. Through cutting-edge astrophysical observations, launching particle detectors to space, and studies of faint galaxies, our speakers will reveal how new approaches are transforming our understanding of the cosmos and the unseen forces that shape it. Between the talks, and inspired by them, cellist and composer Rally Margalit will offer a musical interpretation of the fascinating worlds of research, giving sound and voice to the hidden wonders of the universe
Friday | Nov 14 | 10:30-12:00
Location: Auditorium, Museum of Natural History
Tiny signals, cosmic stories: Protectors, Ghosts, and Clues
Prof. Erez Etzion
Space is filled with invisible particles that can both inspire and threaten: from cosmic rays that jeopardize our electronics to elusive dark matter hiding in plain sight. Launching particle detectors to space, we both safeguard our technology and gain insight into the fundamental mysteries of the universe. Join us on a journey where engineering, physics, and imagination come together to shield spacecraft, search for dark matter, and even look for water on the moon.
About
Prof. Erez Etzion is an experimental particle physicist who works on fundamental studies of the Standard Model (SM) of particle physics and searches for extensions or deviations from the theory. In recent years he has been focused on studies within the international ATLAS Collaboration at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. The research spans a variety of subjects such as studies of the strong interactions of heavy quarks, searches for heavy resonances decaying into leptons, jets or top quarks, studies of jets physics, searches for the so-called exotics extensions to the SM, studies of the properties of the Higgs Boson, discovered by the ATLAS Collaboration in 2012, and searches for Dark Matter (DM) with ATLAS and recently with the SENSEI (Sub Electron Noise Skipper-CCD Experimental Instrument) experiment at SNOLAB. In addition, develops novel detectors and technologies aiming at utilising particle physics techniques in other fields, e.g. Nano Sattelites, medical treatment, homeland security, archeology.
Searching for the Dark Sector of the Universe
Dr. Oren Slone
Most of the mass in the universe is made of a mysterious substance we do not yet understand – dark matter. For decades, physicists have searched for it in laboratory experiments, but without success. It is possible that dark matter interacts with our world only through gravity, in which case the only way to uncover it is through astrophysical observations. In this lecture, I will describe the strong evidence we have for the existence of dark matter and present the most advanced approaches currently used to explore the cosmos in the search for the dark sector.
About
Dr. Oren Slone is a physicist at Tel Aviv University, specializing in the study of dark matter and the connection between particle physics and astrophysics. His research addresses one of the most profound questions in modern science: what makes up most of the Universe, and how can we detect the unseen matter that shapes its structure and evolution?
Seeing the Unseen: How Dim Galaxies Illuminate Cosmic Mysteries
Dr. Shani Danieli
What is the universe made of -- and how much of it can we actually see? In this talk, astrophysicist Dr. Shany Danieli (Tel Aviv University) takes us on a journey through the hidden cosmos, exploring the elusive world of dark matter, which makes up about 85% of the matter in the universe, yet remains undetectable by conventional means. Using faint galaxies as cosmic laboratories, Dr. Danieli and her collaborators investigate how these dim systems -- some nearly devoid of dark matter, others dominated by it -- offer rare insights into its true nature. Highlighting revolutionary telescopes, she shows how low-cost, high-precision tools are transforming our ability to map the invisible and decode one of the universe’s most profound mysteries.
About
Dr. Shani Danieli is an astrophysicist specializing in cosmology and observational astrophysics. Her work focuses on studying the properties of galaxies in order to understand a wide range of physical phenomena in the universe. Dr. Danieli researches and discovers faint galaxies whose detection is nearly impossible using traditional telescopes and methods. She achieves this through the use of advanced ground- and space-based telescopes and by carrying out innovative observations. Her research may shed light on the nature of dark matter, its role in galaxy formation, and the evolution of the universe. Recently, she was awarded research grants from the ERC (the European Research Council), the Israel Science Foundation, and the Azrieli Foundation