Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Steward Observatory, University of Arizona @stewardobservatory.bsky.social · 1d

Calling all Precision Optics Professionals —the Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab is hiring!

· Senior Engineer, Optical Fabrication: tinyurl.com/mr3ucfdv
· Chief Engineer, RFCML Metrology: tinyurl.com/35kwkk3v

1

Steward Observatory, University of Arizona @stewardobservatory.bsky.social · 7d

We are pleased to celebrate the great news that MIT has joined GMTO as the newest member of our international consortium. Read about this major milestone in the progression of GMTO to completion: bit.ly/3IOpyzv

2 7

Steward Observatory, University of Arizona @stewardobservatory.bsky.social · 21d

What if we told you black holes flip the switch on their magnetic fields? Recent images from the EHT show exactly that in M87*. This reshapes what we know about how black holes feed and power their colossal jets. Explore Steward’s role in the discovery: bit.ly/4prwzGV

2 10

Steward Observatory, University of Arizona @stewardobservatory.bsky.social · Sep 8

Last month, U of A’s CatSat mission—built by students—snapped a breathtaking image of Hurricane Erin, the largest Atlantic hurricane since Sandy. What started as an ionospheric mission became a once-in-a-decade weather event captured from space: bit.ly/45W1weT

Steward Observatory, University of Arizona @stewardobservatory.bsky.social · Sep 2

Looking for life beyond Earth? Steward Observatory's @danielapai.bsky.social is helping redefine what “life” means—a key step in exploring exoplanets & our own solar system. Read more:https://bit.ly/47VYUPh

4

Steward Observatory, University of Arizona @stewardobservatory.bsky.social · Aug 27

Using Steward Observatory's MagAO-X, astronomers have captured—for the first time—a baby planet growing inside a disk of dust and gas. The sharp U of A-developed adaptive optics revealed how young worlds plow dark paths through their star’s protoplanetary disks as they form: bit.ly/3Vn0CSo

1 7

Steward Observatory, University of Arizona @stewardobservatory.bsky.social · Aug 12

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) has selected CatSat as a finalist for the Rookie Satellite of the Year award! Voting closes on Tuesday, August 12 at 11:59 pm - cast your vote now: bit.ly/4ltscb7

1 7 25

Steward Observatory, University of Arizona @stewardobservatory.bsky.social · Jul 29

In a new paper this month from Carlos Vargas and the Aspera team, readers get updates and context for the Steward Observatory-based mission. Learn more about this bold mission that aims to study galaxy evolution through UV light: bit.ly/3INfG93

1 5

Steward Observatory, University of Arizona @stewardobservatory.bsky.social · Jul 28

For 40 years, Michelle Cournoyer has supported students and faculty, solved problems, and shown up with heart. As she prepares to retire this August, we celebrate the impact of a true Steward Observatory legend: bit.ly/3GWkAQv

5 23

Steward Observatory, University of Arizona @stewardobservatory.bsky.social · Jul 16

The @vrubinobs.bsky.social has captured its first images with the largest digital camera ever built—and many of its tiny, powerful sensors were made here at our Imaging Technology Lab! Now begins a decade-long survey of the night sky, powered by @uarizona.bsky.social tech. Read more: bit.ly/4kJ404m

1 4

Reposted by Steward Observatory, University of Arizona

UArizona Lunar and Planetary Laboratory @uarizonalpl.bsky.social · Jun 20

The University of Arizona ranked #4 in space sciences globally according to the latest report from US News and World report! This ranking includes both LPL and @stewardobservatory.bsky.social. Read more about this honor here: www.usnews.com/education/be...

www.usnews.com

3 10

Reposted by Steward Observatory, University of Arizona

Jason Spyromilio Ιάσων Σπυρομίλιος @apolitosb.bsky.social · Jun 23

from every perspective Rubin is remarkable. From a telescope optics point of view, the primary/tertiary on a single substrate is absolutely incredible. Buddy Martin of @stewardobservatory.bsky.social is an optics wizard. #RubinFirstLook

Picture of an astronomical mirror with two concentric but very different focal length surfaces polished into a single substrate.

1 4

Steward Observatory, University of Arizona @stewardobservatory.bsky.social · Jun 25

@vrubinobs.bsky.social has released its first imagery: glowing nebulas, pulsating stars, swarms of asteroids and millions of galaxies. For Steward Observatory, this moment represents the culmination of decades of vision and hard work, from colossal mirrors to tiny sensors. Read more: bit.ly/4lorn3O

U of A astronomers celebrate first look at the universe from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory | Steward Observatory

bit.ly

5

Steward Observatory, University of Arizona @stewardobservatory.bsky.social · Jun 13

The GMT has received official approval from the National Science Foundation (NSF), confirming that the observatory will advance into its Major Facilities Final Design Phase, one of the final steps before becoming eligible for federal construction funding: bit.ly/3SO8Di0

6 10

Steward Observatory, University of Arizona @stewardobservatory.bsky.social · Jun 6

An international team of astronomers that includes Associate Astronomer Chi-kwan Chan of Steward Observatory has trained a neural network with millions of synthetic black hole data sets--highlighting the potential for AI to advance astronomy discoveries: bit.ly/3FOlZrx

2 4

Steward Observatory, University of Arizona @stewardobservatory.bsky.social · Jun 4

Congratulations to Roswell Roberts IV, Astronomy major and winner of the Outstanding Senior Award in the Dept. of Hydrology & Atmospheric Science! Read Roswell's reflections on his time at U of A: bit.ly/4kU4YeF

6

Steward Observatory, University of Arizona @stewardobservatory.bsky.social · Jun 3

When is an alien world habitable? Steward Observatory's @danielapai.bsky.social explores this question in his latest article in The Conversation: bit.ly/43vZKQw

1 5

Steward Observatory, University of Arizona @stewardobservatory.bsky.social · May 21

Congratulations to Nikhil Garuda, recipient of the College of Science Outstanding Senior Award. “The astronomical community thrives when knowledge flows freely between generations of researchers,” he says. Read his reflections on his time at Steward: bit.ly/43ffdTm

1 6

Steward Observatory, University of Arizona @stewardobservatory.bsky.social · May 21

NASA has selected Rocket Lab USA Inc. of Long Beach, California, to launch the Aspera mission, led by Steward Observatory's assistant astronomer Carlos Vargas. Aspera will study galaxy formation through the observation of ultraviolet light. Read more: bit.ly/3FkEnrZ

1 3

Steward Observatory, University of Arizona @stewardobservatory.bsky.social · May 1

WEIRD UNIVERSE: this month, Professor Erika Hamden's book comes out! Her expertise shines through as she leads readers on an exploration of the strangest and most awe-inspiring phenomena in space. Secure a copy for yourself: bit.ly/4lU1idY @erikahamden.bsky.social

Weird Universe: Everything We Don’t Know about Space (and Why It’s Imp

Discover the Mysteries of Our Universe Weird Universe is your gateway to the wonders of spaces. Have you ever looked up at the night sky and marveled at the mysteries hidden beyond the stars? This boo...

bit.ly

3 6

Steward Observatory, University of Arizona @stewardobservatory.bsky.social · Apr 23

With all the buzz about the latest potential sign of life on a distant planet, Steward Observatory's astronomy professor @danielapai.bsky.social puts the discovery in context. Read his take: bit.ly/3S1fYKB

3 12

Steward Observatory, University of Arizona @stewardobservatory.bsky.social · Apr 7

Using the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument, or DESI, at Kitt Peak Observatory, scientists have assembled the largest three-dimensional map of the universe to date. Read the @nytimes.com article: bit.ly/3RD2UuL

New York Times: ‘More Than a Hint’ That Dark Energy Isn’t What Astronomers Thought | Steward Observatory

bit.ly

9

Steward Observatory, University of Arizona @stewardobservatory.bsky.social · Mar 31

In August, Dr. Brittany Miles will join the Department of Astronomy and Steward Observatory faculty, advancing UofA’s legacy in infrared instrumentation and innovation. Dr. Miles studies the atmospheres of exoplanets and isolated, rogue worlds. Read more: bit.ly/3R0m0uF

8 78

Steward Observatory, University of Arizona @stewardobservatory.bsky.social · Mar 25

NASA's SPHEREx mission, which launched earlier this month, will use software from the Arizona Cosmology Lab to answer questions about the first moments after the Big Bang. Read more: bit.ly/4iJ4GXj

1 8

Steward Observatory, University of Arizona @stewardobservatory.bsky.social · Feb 21

Some exciting news: @erikahamden.bsky.social will serve as an inaugural member of the Arizona Space Commission, where she will advise Gov. Katie Hobbs in advancing Arizona's role in aerospace and space sciences. 🔭 🚀 🌌 Read more: bit.ly/4hSYtaL

1 21