Public outreach seminar with Prof. Francesco Longo (University of Trieste)

An opportunity to explore some of the most energetic and fascinating phenomena in the cosmos: “The Violent Universe. A Journey into Contemporary Astrophysics” is the title of the public outreach seminar held by Prof. Francesco Longo, lecturer and researcher at the University of Trieste, focusing on key developments in contemporary astrophysics related to the study of so-called high-energy transient phenomena.

In recent years, astrophysics has opened up new perspectives thanks to observations of extreme and rapidly evolving events — powerful explosions, intense emissions and energetic outbursts — which are now considered among the most promising candidates for multi-messenger astrophysics. This innovative approach combines information coming from different cosmic “messengers” (electromagnetic radiation, particles, neutrinos and gravitational waves), offering a more comprehensive understanding of the Universe.

During the seminar, Prof. Longo will guide the audience through the observations and main features of some of the most relevant transients: from Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs), among the brightest phenomena ever observed, to Solar Flares, and to the so-called flares from Active Galactic Nuclei, linked to the activity of supermassive black holes.

The seminar is a valuable opportunity for students and science enthusiasts to engage with cutting-edge research and to understand how the study of high-energy phenomena is transforming the way we observe and interpret the Universe.

13 January 2026, 5:00 PM
Scuola Universitaria Superiore IUSS Pavia – Sala del Camino