Rhys Seeburger

Research

• Hunting for Black Holes in the Milky Way

  Image Credit: Thomas Müller, HdA/MPIA

  I am currently working on my PhD Thesis, supervised by Hans-Walter Rix at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy. According to population models, we expect around 10 billion stellar mass black holes to exist in the Milky Way - however, to this day, detections of these objects are very rare. My work aims to search for stellar mass, dormant black holes in close, detached binaries, using a variety of possible signatures. These include, but are not limited to, ellipsoidal variation and doppler beaning of the light curve of the stellar companion, red- and blueshift variations in the star's spectrum, and light-centroid wobble of the companion’s position on the night sky. To this end, photometric, spectroscopic and astrometric data is used. This will allow us to characterise stellar mass black holes in binaries, or, if none are found, place constraints on their populations.

  Disentangling Composite Spectra

  

  So far, my work has focussed on spectral disentangling based on an approach presented by Simon & Sturm (1994). Unlike most spectral disentangling methods used today, this algorithm does not require the use of templates, instead employing linear algebra and multi-epoch spectra to disentangle the composite spectra into their individual components. This has the advantage of being able to detect uncommon or strange secondary signatures, for which there may be no templates available (such as, for example, stripped sellar cores.) So far, I have implemented and updated this algorithm in python, including methods that allow an almost "blind" analysis of the spectra, without requiring further knowledge of the RVs, mass- and light ratio, and centre-of-mass velocity of the system. The code has been successfully applied to some proposed black hole candidates in El-Badry et. al (2022). Now, I am starting to apply the code to LAMOST multi-epoch spectral data, to identify and characterise binaries.

• Methane Biosignatures on Archean-Earth-like Exoplanets

  Image Credit:ESO/L. Calçada

  In the summer of 2020, I completed a research project at the University of Edinburgh under the supervision of Pete Higgins, Niall Whiteford and Charles Cockell. We explored the efficacy of methane as a biosignature on an exoplanet similar to ancient Earth. Such a planet would likely be geologically active, leading to the presence of potentially many hydrothermal vents. These vents present an excellent environment for methanogens, small organisms that produce methane as a by-product of their metabolism. We explored the parameters controlling the amount of methane produced (such as total hydrothermal vent coverage and nutrient inflow) with the biological modelling code NutMEG. Then, we used the NASA Planetary Spectrum Generator to determine the conditions under which it would be detectable from Earth using next generation telescopes, such as HabEx and LUVOIR.

• Weak Lensing Cosmology with Machine Learning

  

  For my Master's, I explored Deep Learning as a method of constraining cosmological parameters in the Lambda-Cold-Dark-Matter Model, supervised by Benjamin Giblin and Catherine Heymans. We used noisy weak lensing shear maps generated using the SLICS and CosmoSLICS simulation suites to train a convolutional neural network (CNN) to predict the underlying parameters. During this process, we explored the effects of different network architectures, training methods, and data augmentation techniques. We found that a CNN was not yet competetive with the standard 2-point correlation function method, but that it was able to obtain constraints on the cosmological parameters explored.

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Publications

• El-Badry, K., Seeburger, R., Jayasinghe, T., Rix, H. W., Almada, S., Conroy, C., Price-Whelan, A.M. Burdge, K. (2022). Unicorns and Giraffes in the binary zoo: stripped giants with subgiant companions. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 512(4), 5620-5641.
• Seeburger, R., Higgins, P., Whiteford, N., Cockell, C. (subm.) Linking Microbial Activity to Planetary Spectra: CH4 Biosignatures on an Archean-Earth-like Exoplanet.
• El-Badry, K., Rix, H. W., Quataert, E., Howard, A. W., Isaacson, H., Fuller, J., ... Seeburger, R., ... & Wojno, J. (2023). A Sun-like star orbiting a black hole. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 518(1), 1057-1085.
• El-Badry, K., Rix, H. W., Cendes, Y., Rodriguez, A. C., Conroy, C., Quataert, E., ... Seeburger, R. ... & Faigler, S. (2023). A red giant orbiting a black hole. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 521(3), 4323-4348.
• Pulatova, N., Tugay, A., Zadorozhna, L., Seeburger, R., & Gugnin, O. (subm.). X-ray galaxies selected from HyperLEDA database.
• Seeburger, R. (in prep) Disentangling Composite Spectra.

Scientific Talks & Conferences

• "Disentangling Composite Spectra" - May 12th, 2022 - IMPRS Seminar, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
• "Any Star could be a Binary" - Nov 18th, 2022 - The Impact of Binaries on Stellar Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics, Garching, Germany
• "Finding Black Holes that are actually Black" - Nov 30th, 2022 - Galaxy Coffee, Max Planck institute for Astronomy, Heidelberg, Germany
• "Hunting for Dark Companions" - March 1st, 2023 - The Time Domain in the Era of Astronomical Big Data, WISE Observatory, Mitzpe Ramon, Israel
• "Hunting for Dark Companions" - July 12th 2023 - EAS 2023, Krakow, Poland

About

Hello! I am Rhys Seeburger, also known as Luzian, and I am a PhD Student at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Heidelberg, Germany, under the supervision of Hans-Walter Rix. I previously completed my MPhys in Astrophysics at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, in 2021.
My current work focuses on the detection and eventual characterisation of dark objects (such as non-accreting black holes) in the Milky Way Galaxy. As such, I (plan to) use spectroscopic, astrometric and photometric data to comprehensively search our home galaxy for these fascinating objects. Our goal is to learn more about the final stages of stellar evolution, especially for stars in multiple systems.

I care a lot about Astronomy as a diverse and inclusive discipline, and as such am very engaged in Outreach and Activism. If you have ideas on how we can make the field more accessible, or even just tell the public about what we do, and want to collaborate, feel free to use the Contact Form.

Outreach & Teaching

• Outreach

  I am very passionate about outreach and love talking about Astronomy to people from all walks of life. Previously, I worked at the Edinburgh Sciene Festival as a Science Communicator, delivering workshops on various scientific topics to people of all ages. At the University of Edinburgh, I joined the Physics Outreach Team as a Volunteer.

  I have also written a number of short articles for the German popular science magazine "Sterne und Weltraum", covering a range of topics. Recently, I joined the MPIA Outreach Team as a fellow, allowing me to give tours of the institute, talk about what we do, and give demonstrations using the planetarium and our telescope. In October 2022, I participated in the "Tag der Naturwissenschaften" ("Science Day") at the Experimenta Science Center in Heilbronn, Germany, talking to school children about Astronomy as a degree and job. In February 2023, I organised "OUTer Space", an LGBT+ Outreach day at the Haus der Astronomie (House of Astronomy) in Heidelberg. I planned, organised, and executed the day consisting of a planetarium show, tours of the telescopes, the stellar model, as well as talks from LGBT+ Scientists and Allies and a Q&A Panel.

  I am always keen to "get out there" and share my passion for Astronomy with others, so if you are in need of someone like me, please make use of the Contact Form.

  Publications

  German Language

  • Seeburger, L. (2022) Wolkig mit Aussicht auf Edelsteinregen. Sterne und Weltraum, 08/22
  • Seeburger, L. (2022) 5000 Augen erfassen die größte Galaxienkarte der Welt. Sterne und Weltraum, 07/22
  • Seeburger, L. (2023) Mein Nachbar, das Schwarze Loch. Sterne und Weltraum, 02/23

  Outreach Talks

  • Searching for Life on other Planets. 100 Hours of Astronomy
  • Mein Nachbar, das Schwarze Loch. Faszination Astronomie Online (German)

• Teaching & Tutoring

  Aside from reaching out to the general public and getting more people interested in Astronomy, I also enjoy engaging in teaching and tutoring. During my time at secondary school, I worked freelance as a student tutor, helping students with their homework and preparing them for exams. While at University of Edinburgh, I joined the Physics Peer Mentoring Scheme as a Peer Support Leader, where I helped first- and second-year students with their studies.

  For my Bachelor's, I participated in the "Science Education Placement", allowing me to help out at an Edinburgh high school for a semester. During the Placement, I observed lessons, aided in demonstrations, provided my input during lessons, and delivered my own lessons on various topics in Physics. I also participated in and lead the Astronomy Club on a few occasions, teaching students about a wide range of astronomical phenomena. I have since gone back to the school a few times to give further talks at the Astronomy Club. After completing my Master's, I participated in the Ogden Trust's Teach Physics Internship. As part of the internship, I worked at a school in the South of England, participating in lesson planning, tutoring specific students, and delivering my own lessons.

  More recently, as part of my PhD studies, I have been tutoring the "Fortgeschrittenen Praktikum" ("Advanced Practical") course at the University of Heidelberg, teaching Bachelor students about CCD photometry in modern Astronomy. I have also supervised the BOGY Internship of a highschool student at the Haus der Astronomie (House of Astronomy), and continue regular conversation by email with the student.

Representation & Activism

• Student Representation

  Making the voices of my fellow students heard is very important to me, and I have been involved in student representation for a number of years. While at the University of Edinburgh, I was the Astrophsics Degree Year Representative from 2019-2021, and chaired the Staff Student Liaison Committee for the School of Physics and Astronomy 2020-2021. In 2020-2021, I was also the School Convener for the School of Physics and Astronomy at Edinburgh. In 2021, I was elected IMPRS Representative for my cohort of Astronomy PhD students at the University of Heidelberg.

• Activism

  I care deeply about making Academia in General, and Science and specifically Astronomy in particular, a more welcoming environment for everyone. As such, I have participated in various conferences across the UK on LGBT+ inclusion (e.g. LGBTYS Youth Summit in Falkirk 2017, NUS LGBT+ Conference in Edinburgh 2018, among others). Further, I became a member of the Edinburgh University Sports Union Inclusion Committee, to advocate for equity and inclusion in university sports. During the Covid-19 pandemic, I set up LGBT+ lunch meetings at the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Edinburgh, to provide a safe space for LGBT+ students to meet and foster a sense of community. I am currently in the process of setting up a similar initiative at the University of Heidelberg.

  In February 2023, I organised "OUTer Space", an LGBT+ Outreach day at the Haus der Astronomie (House of Astronomy) in Heidelberg. I planned, organised, and executed the day consisting of a planetarium show, tours of the telescopes, the stellar model, as well as talks from LGBT+ Scientists and Allies and a Q&A Panel.

  For the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) 2023 I organised a presentation at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, inviting Emily Hunt to speak about her experience with activism for greater LGBT+ inclusion within Astronomy.

  Since 2023, I have been co-leading the "Queer International Meet-Up Heidelberg" as part of the PLUS Charity's offer of groups and meetings for queer people in the region.

  I firmly believe that widening participation in Astronomy is crucial to the future of our field, and I am always keen to engage in initiatives to make this happen.

  Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Talks

  • "EDI in Astronomy" - Sept 10th, 2022 - IMPRS Retreat, Salzburg, Austria
  • "LGBTQIA+ in Astronomy" - May 9th, 2023 - GC Retreat, Schöntal, Germany
  • "IDAHOBIT 2023" - May 17th, 2023 - Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, Heidelberg, Germany
  • "You Can't Be What You Can't See" - July 14th 2023 - EAS 2023, Krakow, Poland

Contact

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