[Statlist] Announcement of next talk: May 28, 2010 with David van Dyk

[Cecilia Rey]

ETH and University of Zurich

Proff. P. Buehlmann - L. Held -
H.R. Kuensch - M. Maathuis - S. van de Geer


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We are glad to announce the following talk

*Friday, May 28, 2010 15.15 - 17.00 ETH HG G 26.5 *
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with * David van Dyk*, University of California


Title:

*Statistical Analysis of Stellar Evolution*
 

Abstract:

Color-Magnitude Diagrams (CMDs) are plots that compare the magnitudes
(luminosities) of stars in different wavelengths of light (colors). High 
non-linear correlations among the mass, color and surface temperature of 
newly formed stars induce a long narrow curved point cloud in a CMD 
known as the main sequence. Aging stars form new CMD groups of red 
giants and white dwarfs. The physical processes that govern this 
evolution can be described with mathematical models and explored using 
complex computer models. These calculations are designed to predict the 
plotted magnitudes as a function of parameters of scientific interest 
such as stellar age, mass, and metallicity. Here, we describe how we use 
the computer models as a component of a complex likelihood function in a 
Bayesian analysis that requires sophisticated computing, corrects for 
contamination of the data by field stars, accounts for complications 
caused by unresolved binary-star systems, anaims to compare competing 
physics-based computer models of stellar evolution.

(Joint work with Steven DeGennaro, Nathan Stein, William H. Jeffery, Ted 
von Hippel, and Elizabeth Jeffery)

This abstract is also to be found under the following link:
http://stat.ethz.ch/talks/research_seminar

-- 
ETH Zürich
Seminar für Statistik
Cecilia Rey-Lutz, HG G10.3
Rämistrasse 101                    
CH-8092 Zurich		                      	
mail: rey at stat.math.ethz.ch    	  		
phone: +41 44 632 3438/fax: +41 44 632 1228