When magnetic fields are extremely strong, charged particles caught in these fields can be accelerated to incredible speeds. As they accelerate around the magnetic field, the charges can emit light directly. It’s known as synchrotron radiation, and it’s often seen coming from the heated accretion disks of black holes.
We Make Scientific Breakthroughs Possible
The Infrastructure of Discovery Doesn’t Happen Overnight — We Can Help
We transform ideas into technologies, laboratories and policies that initiate, inform and inspire. For over seven decades, AUI has developed specialized expertise in science, engineering, technology and cyber security to enable greater impact. Uniquely positioned, we combine exceptional operations management with collaborative community engagement, drive innovation and affect lasting change within organizations.


Ambassadors for Science
We believe we are part of something greater than ourselves and that our work today should help solve tomorrow’s challenges. As trailblazers for STEM, we laid the ground work for transformative, accessible, educational experiences while expanding e-learning programs and international outreach efforts.
Experts at Managing Complexity
We create an environment where innovation, imagination and people thrive. Even in the harshest desert terrain, discovery flourishes at ALMA, where AUI has led an international partnership with Europe, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Chile. The $1.4 billion project is a monumental achievement for space exploration and collaborations.
Recent News
$21 Million NSF Award Will Bring ngVLA Design to Life
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is pleased to announce that the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded a 3-year, $21 million grant to Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) to further the design of the next generation Very Large Array (ngVLA).
Largest Telescope Array in North America Under Development by NRAO With Support from UNM
The MOU outlines the shared interests of AUI/NRAO and UNM in increasing professional collaborations amongst scientific and engineering staff through the sharing of facilities and computing resources. The joint effort will actively identify future collaborations related to the next-generation Very Large Array (ngVLA) and Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA).