Cautionary Tales from the Local UniverseConfirmed

by Sarah Gallagher (Western University)

Tuesday Apr 14, 2026, 11:00 AM → 12:30 PM America/Toronto

PI/4-405 - Bob Room (Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics)

Studying low-redshift analogues of phenomena in the early Universe is an established method for getting a closer look at intriguing physics. However, determining when a local analogue functions well to represent distant systems, and what limitations need to be kept in mind, can be challenging. Notably, low redshift examples often reveal complexity that gets hidden when looking at high redshift objects. For distant objects, limited spatial and spectral resolution and reduced sensitivity can lead to extraordinary claims that do not hold up over time. I'll discuss specific examples of local analogues that reveal complexity that should be considered when studying distant objects, focussing on local compact galaxy groups and super Eddington-accreting active galactic nuclei.