Latest news from Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) on News en-us Copyright 2024 News 115 31 / /images/newswise-logo-rss.gif /articles/na-road-announces-2024-cohort-of-10-women-and-girls-in-astronomy-for-development-projects/?sc=rsin /articles/na-road-announces-2024-cohort-of-10-women-and-girls-in-astronomy-for-development-projects/?sc=rsin Mon, 08 Jul 2024 06:05:25 EST The North American Regional Office of Astronomy for Development (NA-ROAD) is pleased to announce the selection of 10 astronomy for development projects as part of the 2024 cohort. These projects will receive funding as part of the Women and Girls in Astronomy Program (WGAP). Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) /articles/lsst-camera-arrives-at-rubin-observatory-in-chile-paving-the-way-for-cosmic-exploration/?sc=rsin /articles/lsst-camera-arrives-at-rubin-observatory-in-chile-paving-the-way-for-cosmic-exploration/?sc=rsin Wed, 22 May 2024 09:00:49 EST Another exciting milestone in the construction of Rubin Observatory has been achieved! On May 16th Rubin's LSST Camera reached its forever home, the summit facility on Cerro Pachon. Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) /articles/aura-appoints-christoph-keller-as-next-national-solar-observatory-director/?sc=rsin /articles/aura-appoints-christoph-keller-as-next-national-solar-observatory-director/?sc=rsin Thu, 04 Jan 2024 12:00:14 EST The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is pleased to announce that Dr. Christoph Keller has been appointed as the next Director of the National Science Foundation's National Solar Observatory (NSO) succeeding Dr. Valentin Pillet, who will be retiring as Director in 2024. Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) /articles/dr-jennifer-lotz-appointed-space-telescope-science-institute-director/?sc=rsin /articles/dr-jennifer-lotz-appointed-space-telescope-science-institute-director/?sc=rsin Wed, 01 Nov 2023 10:30:55 EST The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Jennifer Lotz as the Director of the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI). Dr. Lotz will begin her five-year appointment as STScI Director starting February 12, 2024. Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) /articles/desde-chile-descubren-una-nueva-forma-de-aniquilar-una-estrella/?sc=rsin /articles/desde-chile-descubren-una-nueva-forma-de-aniquilar-una-estrella/?sc=rsin Thu, 22 Jun 2023 11:00:00 EST Luego de estudiar un poderoso estallido de rayos gamma (GRB por sus siglas en ingles) con el telescopio de Gemini Sur, que opera NOIRLab de NSF y AURA en la Region de Coquimbo, en Chile, un equipo de astronomos investigan si estan ante la presencia de una forma nunca antes vista de destruccion estelar. A diferencia de la mayoria de los GRBs, que son provocados por la explosion de estrellas masivas o por la fusion de estrellas de neutrones, los investigadores concluyen que este particular GRB que observaron desde Chile, fue el resultado de una literal colision de estrellas o de remanentes estelares en el entorno compacto que rodea a un agujero negro supermasivo en el nucleo de una galaxia muy antigua. Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) /articles/new-images-released-by-nsf-s-daniel-k-inouye-solar-telescope/?sc=rsin /articles/new-images-released-by-nsf-s-daniel-k-inouye-solar-telescope/?sc=rsin Sun, 21 May 2023 09:05:19 EST The National Science Foundation's (NSF) Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope released eight new images of the Sun, previewing the exciting science underway at the world's most powerful ground-based solar telescope. The images feature a variety of sunspots and quiet regions of the Sun obtained by the Visible-Broadband Imager (VBI), one of the telescope's first-generation instruments. Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) /articles/un-criadero-estelar-de-luces-y-sombras/?sc=rsin /articles/un-criadero-estelar-de-luces-y-sombras/?sc=rsin Thu, 18 May 2023 12:00:00 EST Un instante de la enorme nube interestelar de formacion de estrellas Lupus 3, capturado por la Camara de Energia Oscura de 570-megapixeles desde el Observatorio de Cerro Tololo de NOIRLab, en Chile. La brillante region central de esta nube en expansion revela un par de jovenes estrellas brotando desde sus capullos de polvo y gas para iluminar la nebulosa de reflexion conocida como Bernes 149. El contraste de luces entre estas regiones hacen de este objeto uno de los principales lugares para la investigacion sobre formacion estelar. Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) /articles/rubin-observatory-reaches-major-milestone/?sc=rsin /articles/rubin-observatory-reaches-major-milestone/?sc=rsin Wed, 10 May 2023 06:05:39 EST Vera C. Rubin Observatory has passed a major construction milestone: the telescope structure is ready to be outfitted with a full-size replica of its 8.4-meter mirror and stand-ins for its 3200-megapixel LSST Camera and other critical optical components. This major milestone means that Rubin Observatory is on track to help probe the mysteries of dark matter, study the fundamental nature of dark energy, document the dynamic Universe, and explore other grand challenges of cosmology. Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) /articles/observatorio-rubin-logra-importante-hito/?sc=rsin /articles/observatorio-rubin-logra-importante-hito/?sc=rsin Wed, 10 May 2023 06:05:03 EST El Observatorio Vera C. Rubin alcanzo un importante hito en su construccion luego que la estructura del telescopio ya esta en condiciones para recibir una replica exacta de su espejo de 8,4 metros y los componentes para la Camara LSSTde 3.200 megapixeles, ademas de otros dispositivos opticos criticos. Este importante hito pone al Observatorio Rubin en camino a contribuir con las investigaciones que abordaran los misterios de la materia oscura, la naturaleza de la energia oscura, documentar la dinamica del Universo y explorar otros grandes desafios de la cosmologia. Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) /articles/unveiling-networks-of-stellar-nurseries-in-nearby-galaxies/?sc=rsin /articles/unveiling-networks-of-stellar-nurseries-in-nearby-galaxies/?sc=rsin Thu, 16 Feb 2023 11:10:36 EST Janice Lee, Chief Scientist at the International Gemini Observatory, leads the JWST Treasury Survey for the PHANGS (Physics at High Angular resolution in Nearby Galaxies) collaboration to study how star formation affects the evolution of galaxies. These observations are providing new insights into how some of the smallest-scale processes in our Universe -- the beginnings of star formation -- impact the evolution of the largest objects in our cosmos: galaxies. Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) /articles/desde-chile-descifran-inesperados-secretos-en-las-explosiones-de-kilonova/?sc=rsin /articles/desde-chile-descifran-inesperados-secretos-en-las-explosiones-de-kilonova/?sc=rsin Wed, 07 Dec 2022 11:00:00 EST Mientras estudiaban los vestigios de una explosion de rayos gamma (GRB por sus siglas en ingles) que fue detectada en 2021, dos equipos de astronomos hallaron senales sorprendentes de una fusion de estrellas de neutron, en vez de la esperada huella de una supernova. Las observaciones realizadas desde telescopios terrestres y espaciales, que incluyeron al telescopio de Gemini Sur en Chile y Gemini Norte en Hawai'i, desafian la teoria prevaleciente que predice que las GRB de este tipo provienen exclusivamente de una supernova, es decir de la explosion final que acaba con la vida de las estrellas masivas. Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) /articles/kilonova-discovery-challenges-our-understanding-of-gamma-ray-bursts/?sc=rsin /articles/kilonova-discovery-challenges-our-understanding-of-gamma-ray-bursts/?sc=rsin Wed, 07 Dec 2022 11:00:00 EST While studying the aftermath of a long gamma-ray burst (GRB), two independent teams of astronomers using a host of telescopes in space and on Earth, including the Gemini North telescope on Hawai'i and the Gemini South telescope in Chile, have uncovered the unexpected hallmarks of a kilonova, the colossal explosion triggered by colliding neutron stars. This discovery challenges the prevailing theory that long GRBs exclusively come from supernovae, the end-of-life explosions of massive stars. Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) /articles/desde-tololo-detectan-asteroide-potencialmente-m-s-peligroso-de-los-ltimos-8-a-os/?sc=rsin /articles/desde-tololo-detectan-asteroide-potencialmente-m-s-peligroso-de-los-ltimos-8-a-os/?sc=rsin Mon, 31 Oct 2022 12:00:00 EST Utilizando la Camara de Energia Oscura en el Observatorio de Cerro Tololo, en Chile, los astronomos detectaron tres asteroides cercanos a la Tierra (NEA por sus siglas en ingles) que se ocultaban en el resplandor del Sol. Se trata de una elusiva poblacion de objetos que acechan desde el interior de las orbitas de la Tierra y Venus. Uno de estos asteroides es el objeto mas grande, y potencialmente peligroso para la Tierra, descubierto en los ultimos 8 anos. Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) /articles/largest-potentially-hazardous-asteroid-detected-in-eight-years/?sc=rsin /articles/largest-potentially-hazardous-asteroid-detected-in-eight-years/?sc=rsin Mon, 31 Oct 2022 12:00:00 EST Twilight observations with the US Department of Energy-fabricated Dark Energy Camera at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, a Program of NSF's NOIRLab, have enabled astronomers to spot three near-Earth asteroids (NEA) hiding in the glare of the Sun. These NEAs are part of an elusive population that lurks inside the orbits of Earth and Venus. One of the asteroids is the largest object that is potentially hazardous to Earth to be discovered in the last eight years. Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) /articles/record-breaking-gamma-ray-burst-possibly-most-powerful-explosion-ever-recorded/?sc=rsin /articles/record-breaking-gamma-ray-burst-possibly-most-powerful-explosion-ever-recorded/?sc=rsin Fri, 14 Oct 2022 14:05:59 EST In the early-morning hours of today, 14 October 2022, astronomers using the Gemini South telescope in Chile operated by NSF's NOIRLab observed the unprecedented aftermath of one of the most powerful explosions ever recorded, Gamma-Ray Burst GRB221009A. This record-shattering event, which was first detected on 9 October 2022 by orbiting X-ray and gamma-ray telescopes, occurred 2.4 billion light-years from Earth and was likely triggered by a supernova explosion giving birth to a black hole. Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) /articles/desde-chile-detectan-poderosa-explosi-n-de-rayos-gamma-jam-s-registrada/?sc=rsin /articles/desde-chile-detectan-poderosa-explosi-n-de-rayos-gamma-jam-s-registrada/?sc=rsin Fri, 14 Oct 2022 14:05:12 EST En las primeras horas de la manana de hoy, 14 de octubre de 2022, los astronomos utilizaron el telescopio Gemini Sur en Chile, que opera NOIRLab de NSF y AURA, para observar las consecuencias sin precedentes de una de las explosiones de rayos gamma mas poderosas jamas registradas, que fue catalogada como GRB221009A. Este evento record, que fue detectado por primera vez el 9 de octubre de 2022 por telescopios de rayos X y rayos gamma en orbita, ocurrio a 2.400 millones de anos luz de la Tierra y probablemente fue provocado por una explosion de supernova que dio lugar al nacimiento de un agujero negro. Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) /articles/nsf-s-daniel-k-inouye-solar-telescope-begins-science-operations-commissioning-phase/?sc=rsin /articles/nsf-s-daniel-k-inouye-solar-telescope-begins-science-operations-commissioning-phase/?sc=rsin Thu, 24 Feb 2022 14:00:08 EST On Wednesday, February 23, 2022, the U.S. National Science Foundation's (NSF's) Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (Inouye Solar Telescope) commenced its first science observations, signaling the start of its year-long operations commissioning phase and a new era of solar science. Over 25 years in the making, the world's most powerful solar telescope is now poised to revolutionize our understanding of the Sun and its impacts on Earth. Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) /articles/astr-nomos-obtienen-informaci-n-precisa-sobre-el-agujero-negro-supermasivo-en-el-coraz-n-de-la-galaxia/?sc=rsin /articles/astr-nomos-obtienen-informaci-n-precisa-sobre-el-agujero-negro-supermasivo-en-el-coraz-n-de-la-galaxia/?sc=rsin Tue, 14 Dec 2021 13:10:42 EST Un equipo de astronomos realizaron las mediciones mas precisas hasta el momento del movimiento de las estrellas alrededor del agujero negro supermasivo que se encuentra en el centro de la Via Lactea, confirmando que el 99,9% de la masa concentrada en el nucleo de la galaxia corresponde a un agujero negro, mientras que solo un 0,1% podria incluir estrellas, pequenos agujeros negros, polvo y gas interestelar, o materia oscura. Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) /articles/national-solar-observatory-awarded-prestigious-brinson-prize-fellowship/?sc=rsin /articles/national-solar-observatory-awarded-prestigious-brinson-prize-fellowship/?sc=rsin Wed, 27 Oct 2021 13:20:30 EST The NSF's National Solar Observatory, headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, announced the receipt of a prestigious Brinson Prize Fellowship from The Brinson Foundation. The award will support a postdoctoral scholar for up to three years starting in the fall of 2022. Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) /articles/are-we-missing-other-earths/?sc=rsin /articles/are-we-missing-other-earths/?sc=rsin Mon, 28 Jun 2021 14:45:18 EST Some exoplanet searches could be missing nearly half of the Earth-sized planets around other stars. New findings from a team using the international Gemini Observatory and the WIYN 3.5-meter Telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory suggest that Earth-sized worlds could be lurking undiscovered in binary star systems, hidden in the glare of their parent stars. As roughly half of all stars are in binary systems, this means that astronomers could be missing many Earth-sized worlds. Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)