Chandra'sDynamic Universe
August 18-20, 2026
Cambridge, MA
Organized by the Chandra X-ray Center
The landscape of time domain and multi-messenger astrophysics (TDAMM) is undergoing a rapid transformation. Chandra’s unprecedented angular and spectral resolutions offer unique diagnostic tools that have driven breakthroughs in time domain astronomy, and which are poised to continue driving valuable future discoveries.
In this workshop, we will explore exciting time domain science enabled by Chandra across various timescales, such as investigating supernova explosions and their remnants, characterizing X-ray counterparts to gravitational wave merger events, identifying new Galactic and extragalactic transients, discerning the structure of relativistic jets, uncovering stellar populations, monitoring stellar variability, studying end points of stellar evolution, detecting X-rays from tidal disruption events, and enabling studies of accretion in extreme regimes.
We will highlight Chandra’s unique science capabilities, such as localizing X-ray transients to arcsecond positions, long-term monitoring to very low flux levels, grating spectroscopy of bright transients, and monitoring rapid decay in transients. The workshop will also emphasize the critical role that Chandra plays in joint investigations with current and upcoming multi-wavelength and multi-messenger astronomical facilities.
As part of the workshop, we will explore ways in which Chandra can continue to best serve the evolving interests of the TDAMM community, including the possibility of community target-of-opportunity (TOO) programs, and other strategies to bolster the already-robust Chandra TOO program.
Abstract Submission
We invite workshop attendees to submit their abstracts through the following form:
https://forms.gle/F9RwNxPqAeBjTmDm8.
Anticipated Dates
| Abstract Submissions Open | March 12, 2026 |
| Registrations Open | April 20, 2026 |
| Contributed Talk Abstract Deadline | April 26, 2026 |
| Poster Presentation Abstract Deadline | June 18, 2026 |
| Registration Deadline | July 10, 2026 |
| Start of the Workshop | August 18, 2026 |
Scientific Organizing Committee
| Brad Cenko | NASA Goddard Space Flight Center |
| Brendan O'Connor | Carnegie Mellon University |
| Craig Heinke | University of Alberta |
| Dave Pooley (Co-Chair) | Trinity University |
| George Chartas | College of Charleston |
| Jean Somalwar | Stanford/Berkeley |
| Malgorzata Sobolewska | CfA/CXC |
| Marina Orio | University of Wisconsin–Madison |
| Murray Brightman | Caltech |
| Nanda Rea | Institute of Space Sciences |
| Nathalie Degenaar | University of Amsterdam |
| Peter Kosec | Harvard & Smithsonian, Center for Astrophysics |
| Rachel Osten | Space Telescope Science Institute |
| Raffaella Margutti (Co-Chair) | Berkeley |
| Thomas Maccarone | Texas Tech University |
Local Organizing Committee
| Thomas Connor | CfA/CXC |
| Jason Conry | CfA/CXC |
| Tara Gokas | CfA/CXC |
| Amruta Jaodand (Chair) | CfA/CXC |
| Rodolfo Montez | CfA/CXC |
| Padmanabhan Ramadurai | CfA/CXC |
| Aldo Solares | CfA/CXC |
| Evan Tingle | CfA/CXC |
Further details about the workshop will be coming soon.
Please contact us at cxcworkshop@cfa.harvard.edu with any questions.