Cornell astronomy to offer Brinson Prize
The Brinson Prize supports postdoctoral scholars in carrying out novel research in observational cosmology.
/news/cornell-astronomy-offer-brinson-prize
Webb telescope finds carbon source on Jupiter’s Europa
Astronomers using data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope have identified carbon dioxide on the icy surface of Europa – one of a handful of worlds in our solar system that could potentially harbor conditions suitable for life.
https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2023/09/webb-telescope-finds-carbon-source-jupiters-europa
Decadal survey sets agenda for biological, physical sciences in space
A&S Astronomy and Cornell Center for Astrophysical and Planetary Science (C-CAPS) faculty are key to “Thriving in Space,” released Sept. 12.
https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2023/09/decadal-survey-sets-agenda-biological-physical-sciences-space
Over 80 students receive NSF graduate fellowships
Eighty-four students have been selected as National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP) fellows in 2023, comprising the largest group of new fellows Cornell has ever fielded in one year.
/news/over-80-students-receive-nsf-graduate-fellowships
‘Thermometer’ molecule confirmed on exoplanet WASP-31b
Researchers have discovered a molecule that could determine the temperature and other characteristics in exoplanets.
https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2023/08/thermometer-molecule-confirmed-exoplanet-wasp-31b
James Webb Space Telescope sees Jupiter moons in a new light
A Cornell astronomer who is part of JWST’s Early Release Science program report the first detection of hydrogen peroxide on Ganymede and sulfurous fumes on Io, both the result of Jupiter’s domineering influence.
https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2023/07/james-webb-space-telescope-sees-jupiter-moons-new-light
New support fund for astronomy graduate students announced
The Riccardo Giovanelli Graduate Student Support Fund was announced July 15 at “Gas-trophysics Across the Universe.”
/news/new-support-fund-astronomy-graduate-students-announced
Science plans for telescope’s first light focus of CCAT Consortium meeting
“This was a critical meeting as we are less than two years out from anticipated first light with the facility," said project director Gordon Stacey.
/news/science-plans-telescopes-first-light-focus-ccat-consortium-meeting
NASA selects Cornell astronomer for ULTRASAT observatory
Anna Y. Q. Ho and others chosen will pursue science investigations that will contribute to Israel’s first space telescope mission, planned to launch into geostationary orbit around Earth in 2026.
/news/nasa-selects-cornell-astronomer-ultrasat-observatory
NASA Selects 14 Investigations to Help Understand the Universe through Ultraviolet Light
NASA has selected 14 U.S.-based researchers to join the Ultraviolet Transient Astronomy Satellite (ULTRASAT) science team, including Cornell's Dr. Anna Ho, Assistant Professor of Astronomy.
/news/nasa-selects-14-investigations-help-understand-universe-through-ultraviolet-light
A Cow, a Camel and a Finch Exploded in Space. What is Going On?
"Astronomers have yet to determine the cause of luminous fast blue optical transients, and the latest they have detected is raising even more questions."
/news/cow-camel-and-finch-exploded-space-what-going
CCAT Observatory Approaches First Light
For the past six years, CCAT Observatory Inc., a nonprofit research organization formed by more than a dozen academic institutions led by Cornell University, has been developing a new telescope, the Fred Young Submillimeter Telescope (FYST, pronounced “feast”) and its supporting infrastructure to observe at sub-millimeter wavelengths. The infrastructure is currently under construction at an altitude of 5,600 m near the summit of Cerro Chajnantor in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile, one of the driest places on Earth. Since water vapor absorbs the wavelengths of interest, the site is arguably the best ground-based location for submillimeter observations due to its thin, ultradry atmosphere. Once complete, it will be the second highest observatory in the world.
/news/ccat-observatory-approaches-first-light
Space-ready menstrual cup a giant leap for womankind
“With AstroCup, what we really wanted was not only to launch the cup but to launch this conversation.”
https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2023/07/space-ready-menstrual-cup-giant-leap-womankind
A&S dean Jayawardhana named provost at Johns Hopkins
Rachel Bean, the Jacob Gould Schurman Professor in the Department of Astronomy and senior associate dean for math and science, has been named interim A&S dean.
https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2023/07/dean-jayawardhana-named-provost-johns-hopkins
After 15 years, gravitational waves detected as cosmic ‘hum’
A 15-year collaboration in which Cornell astrophysicists have played leading roles has found the first evidence of gravitational waves slowly undulating through the galaxy.
https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2023/06/after-15-years-gravitational-waves-detected-cosmic-hum
Scientists have found signs of a new kind of gravitational wave. It's really big
"Scientists say they are starting to find signs of an elusive type of rumbling through space that could be created by the biggest, baddest black holes in the universe."
/news/scientists-have-found-signs-new-kind-gravitational-wave-its-really-big
Exoplanet may reveal secrets about the edge of habitability
A recently discovered exoplanet may be key to solving how close a rocky planet can be to a star, and still sustain water and life.
/news/exoplanet-may-reveal-secrets-about-edge-habitability
Exoplanet may reveal secrets about the edge of habitability
A recently discovered exoplanet may be key to solving how close a rocky planet can be to a star, and still sustain water and life.
/news/exoplanet-may-reveal-secrets-about-edge-habitability-0
A&S honors 23 faculty with endowed professorships
The professorships are possible because of generous gifts from alumni, parents and friends.
/news/honors-23-faculty-endowed-professorships
‘Gas-trophysics’ symposium expands on work of two Cornell astronomers
“Gas-trophysics Across the Universe,” a July 15 symposium, will celebrate the work and lives of renowned Cornell astronomers Peter Gierasch and Riccardo Giovanelli.
/news/gas-trophysics-symposium-expands-work-two-cornell-astronomers
‘Gas-trophysics’ symposium expands on work of two Cornell astronomers
“Gas-trophysics Across the Universe,” a July 15 symposium, will celebrate the work and lives of renowned Cornell astronomers Peter Gierasch and Riccardo Giovanelli.
/news/gas-trophysics-symposium-expands-work-two-cornell-astronomers-0
Software offers new way to listen for signals from the stars
The research aims to detect repetitive patterns, a way to search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) within our cosmic neighborhood.
/news/software-offers-new-way-listen-signals-stars
51 Pegasi b Fellowship awarded to Dr. Rixin Li
The Heising-Simons Foundation has announced the 2023 recipients of the 51 Pegasi b Fellowship. Dr. Rixin Li is one of eight recipients.
/news/51-pegasi-b-fellowship-awarded-dr-rixin-li
One in Ten Stars Ate a Jupiter (Or Bigger)
"A lot of research has delved into the planetary engulfment process, and a new study calculated one in ten evolved stars in the Milky Way will swallow Jupiter-mass planets."
NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship awarded to Dr. Darryl Seligman
Dr. Darryl Seligman is one of 59 recipients of the 2023 Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Research Fellows.
/news/nsf-postdoctoral-fellowship-awarded-dr-darryl-seligman
$2.5M in A&S New Frontier Grants supports bold projects
A&S faculty members will delve into questions ranging from quantum computing to foreign policy development and from heritage forensics to effects of climate change.
/news/25m-new-frontier-grants-supports-bold-projects
Nexus Scholars Program expands research opportunities to 101 students
This summer, 101 students in the College of Arts and Sciences will take part in groundbreaking research on campus with 61 faculty as part of the Nexus Scholars Program.
/news/nexus-scholars-program-expands-research-opportunities-101-students
Reversible magnetic field found around a fast radio burst for the first time
“These new observations are another step forward in understanding the remarkable engines and the diversity of fast radio bursts.”
/news/reversible-magnetic-field-found-around-fast-radio-burst-first-time
Neutron star’s X-rays reveal ‘photon metamorphosis’
Scientists were surprised when a NASA satellite detected that lower- and higher-energy X-rays were polarized differently, with electromagnetic fields oriented at right angles to each other.
/news/neutron-stars-x-rays-reveal-photon-metamorphosis
'I presented my research at national conferences'
Thea McKenna is an astronomy major.
/news/i-presented-my-research-national-conferences
Mars Rover documentary to screen at Cornell Cinema
Cornell Cinema will present a free screening of the documentary Good Night Oppy.
/news/mars-rover-documentary-screen-cornell-cinema
Britney Schmidt named one of Time’s 100 most influential people
Schmidt was recognized for contributions to climate science, following the recent publication of surprise results about the melting of the imperiled Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica.
/news/britney-schmidt-named-one-times-100-most-influential-people
Giant planet atmospheres vary widely, JWST confirms
Researchers discovered that the atmosphere of exoplanet HD149026b, a ‘hot Jupiter’ orbiting a star comparable to our sun, is super-abundant in the heavier elements carbon and oxygen.
/news/giant-planet-atmospheres-vary-widely-jwst-confirms
First known interstellar interloper resembles ‘dark comet’
Insights from Oumuamua could advance our understanding of planet formation in this solar system and others.
/news/first-known-interstellar-interloper-resembles-dark-comet
Learn about the cosmos with Cornell astronomers
Professlor Martha Haynes organizes monthly Zoom events led by Cornell faculty, research staff, and student experts on a variety of astronomy topics.
/news/learn-about-cosmos-cornell-astronomers
Astronomers discover metal-rich galaxies in early universe
Scanning the first images of a well-known early galaxy taken by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), Cornell astronomers were intrigued to see a blob of light near its outer edge.
/news/astronomers-discover-metal-rich-galaxies-early-universe
Robot provides unprecedented views below Antarctic ice shelf
A U.S.-New Zealand research team recognized a shift as evidence of “ice pumping” – a process important to the stability of the Ross Ice Shelf.
/news/robot-provides-unprecedented-views-below-antarctic-ice-shelf
Postcards from Earth: Hologram project showcased at Intrepid
A yearslong effort to launch Cornell-made satellite technology into a neighboring solar system is making a terrestrial stop at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York City.
/news/postcards-earth-hologram-project-showcased-intrepid
Astronomers discover metal-rich galaxies in early universe
Cornell astronomers discovered a companion galaxy estimated at 1.4 billion years old while scanning images from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope.
/news/astronomers-discover-metal-rich-galaxies-early-universe-0
Life on Mars? Better tools needed to get the answer
Current state-of-the-art instrumentation being sent to Mars to collect and analyze evidence of ancient life may not be sensitive enough to make accurate assessments, says a Cornell-led study.
/news/life-mars-better-tools-needed-get-answer
Underwater robot helps explain Antarctic glacier’s retreat
First-of-their-kind observations beneath the floating shelf of a vulnerable Antarctic glacier reveal widespread cracks and crevasses where melting occurs more rapidly, contributing to the glacier’s retreat.
/news/underwater-robot-helps-explain-antarctic-glaciers-retreat
Spanish lagoon proposed as Mars ‘astrobiological time-analog’
Alberto G. Fairén led an inaugural study of a dynamic analogous Earth environment where changes can be analyzed over many years.
/news/spanish-lagoon-proposed-mars-astrobiological-time-analog
Cornell-led telescope project completion in sight
The Fred Young Submillimeter Telescope “will be able to look regularly at frequency ranges very few other telescopes can even detect."
/news/cornell-led-telescope-project-completion-sight
Peter Gierasch, planetary astronomer, dies at 82
Gierasch contributed to a wealth of knowledge on the processes of planetary atmospheres and served as a team scientist on the Viking, Pioneer, Voyager, Galileo and Cassini missions for NASA.
/news/peter-gierasch-planetary-astronomer-dies-82
Perseverance rover records sound of dust devils on Mars
Thanks to the first working microphone to traverse the surface of Mars, the sound of a tiny, extraterrestrial dust tornado has reached Earth.
/news/perseverance-rover-records-sound-dust-devils-mars
Eminent astronomer Riccardo Giovanelli dies at 76
An observational cosmologist studying the structure, evolution and environments of galaxies, Giovanelli had broad research interests.
/news/eminent-astronomer-riccardo-giovanelli-dies-76
Cornell, global partners discuss the next ‘grand challenge’
Global Cornell will host a town hall in December for additional feedback and announce the new Global Grand Challenge theme in the coming year.
/news/cornell-global-partners-discuss-next-grand-challenge
Webb telescope shows exoplanet atmosphere as never seen before
“This is the first time we see concrete evidence of photochemistry – chemical reactions initialized by energetic stellar light – on exoplanets.”
/news/webb-telescope-shows-exoplanet-atmosphere-never-seen
In Photos: See Giant Planet Jupiter Looking Its Best In New Images Just Back From NASA’s Juno Spacecraft
"Close-ups of Jupiter and its gorgeous cloud-tops star in the latest batch of images sent back from NASA’s Juno orbiter."
/news/photos-see-giant-planet-jupiter-looking-its-best-new-images-just-back-nasas-juno-spacecraft
Senior wins award from SETI Institute for planetary research
Ze-Wen Koh plans to pursue a doctorate in planetary science after graduation.
/news/senior-wins-award-seti-institute-planetary-research