Abstract: After recalling the basic principles underlying the formation of atmospheric and gravitationally lensed mirages, we describe a simple optical lens experiment which accounts for all types of image configurations observed among presently known gravitational lens systems. We shall also report on a recent systematic search for multiply imaged quasars based upon observations carried out with Gaia and in the near future with the 4m International Liquid Mirror Telescope.
About the Speaker: Prof. Jean Surdej, FRS, renowned astrophysicist and Research Director at the Department of Astrophysics, Geophysics and Oceanography, University of Liege, Belgium. In 1995 he obtained the title of F.R.S.-FNRS Research Director and in 2002 switched to an academic career path, obtaining the title of Full Professor at University of Liège in 2007, visiting professor at the University Adam Mickiewicz (Poznan, Poland) and VAJRA Adjunct Faculty at ARIES (Nainital, India). Since October 2017, he is also involved in research, teaching and formation activities abroad (Qatar, India, Chile, Poland, …). His main research activities have dealt with radiative transfer in expanding atmospheres, light curve inversion of asteroids, gravitational lensing, and the 4m International Liquid Mirror Telescope project.
He has held or still holds several positions abroad like a research cooperation position at the European Southern Observatory (ESO, La Silla, Chile) in 1976-1978, ESO fellow at ESO (Geneva, Switzerland) in 1978-1980, Research Paid Associate at ESO (Garching bei München, Germany) in 1983-1985, ESA (European Space Agency) Astronomer at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI, NASA / ESA, Baltimore, Maryland, USA) in 1993 – 1996 and various short study and sabbatical positions at ESO, NRAO (National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Charlottesville, Virginia), Mount Wilson Observatory (Carnegie, Pasadena, California), MMTO (Multiple Mirror Telescope Observatory, Tucson, Arizona), Nice Observatory (France), Observatory of the University of Hawaii and ARIES (Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences, Nainital & Devasthal, India).
We look forward to your active participation.
Regards,
Department of Physics