Towards the center of our Milky Way Galaxy, in the constellation Sagittarius, astronomers have discovered 10 monstrous neutron stars. These particular stars, called pulsars, reside together in globular cluster Terzan 5, a crowded home for hundreds of thousands of different types of stars. In one of the most jam-packed places in our Milky Way, many pulsars in Terzan 5 have evolved into bizarre and eccentric forms.
Recent News
Old Data, New Tricks Discover Pulsar in Galactic Plane
A team of astronomers has found a new tool to discover pulsars, rapidly rotating neutron stars that blast out pulses of radiation at regular intervals ranging from seconds to milliseconds. Named the VLA Low-band Ionosphere and Transient Experiment (VLITE), the tool was made possible by a collaboration between the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.
AUI and the NRAO Announce Recipients of the 2024 NAC Bridge Scholarship Award
In its fourth year, the AUI Board of Trustees NAC Bridge Scholarship Award recognizes the academic accomplishments of National Astronomy Consortium (NAC) alums and assists them in the transition from undergraduate to graduate programs.
ASTRO ACCEL Announces Inaugural Cohort of Early Career Researchers
ASTRO ACCEL, an U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)-supported initiative pioneering a global network of networks, brings together researchers and practitioners in the domains of astronomy education, engagement, communication and culture to connect stakeholders and advance these areas of research, proudly unveils its inaugural cohort of early career researchers. This elite group of eight individuals has committed to a two-year journey aimed at enhancing research and its application across astronomy education, engagement, communication and culture.
“I’m thrilled to be part of the ASTRO ACCEL cohort,” said Tshiamiso Makwela. “I’m excited about engaging in transformative science and leveraging the potential of astronomy as a tool of education, development and diplomacy.”
Makwela will be joined by fellow cohort members Emily Peavy, Anastasios Kapodistrias, Brandon Rodriguez, Christine Hirst Bernhardt, Michael O’Shea, Fatemeh Bonyadi and Fatoumata Kebe.
This selected cohort, comprising bright minds from diverse backgrounds and regions around the globe, will embark on a journey of discovery and impact under the mentorship of leading experts in the field. Over the course of two years, they will engage in a range of activities designed to enhance their skills, expand their networks and deepen their understanding of the societal implications of their research.
As seen in the recent eclipse-related enthusiasm across the United States, astronomy holds a unique place in the realm of science, captivating minds and inspiring exploration of the cosmos. However, leveraging its full potential to drive societal progress requires a concerted effort to bridge the gap between research and practical application. ASTRO ACCEL aims to do just that by fostering a collaborative environment where innovative ideas flourish and where researchers work together with mentors, practitioners and community members to leverage the outcomes of a global network of networks.
“ASTRO ACCEL represents a groundbreaking initiative to empower early career researchers to drive positive change in astronomy and beyond,” said Anica Miller Rushing, the STEM education research associate at AUI who is helping to facilitate the ECR cohort within ASTRO ACCEL. “By harnessing the collective expertise and enthusiasm of this remarkable cohort, we aim to accelerate progress towards a more inclusive, innovative and impactful future for astronomy research across education, engagement, communication and culture, and the applications across those connected and deeply contextual spaces.”
Through their collaborative efforts, the cohort members will not only advance their own research but also contribute to a broader culture of interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange.
“Global collaboration in research, in all of its potential and complexity, is a reality facing researchers now and in the future,” said Tiffany Stone Wolbrecht, interim director of education and public engagement at AUI. “Through their engagement in ASTRO ACCEL, these early career researchers will gain the tools, connections and experience needed to advance their work in this global space and inspire future generations of researchers and practitioners.”
ASTRO ACCEL invites stakeholders from academia, industry, government and civil society to join hands in supporting this transformative initiative and to engage with the cohort members as they embark on their journey to accelerate progress in astronomy education, engagement, communication and culture.
For more information about ASTRO ACCEL and its inaugural cohort, please visit the program’s website.
About ASTRO ACCEL
ASTRO ACCEL is a global network of networks dedicated to accelerating progress in astronomy education, engagement, communication and culture. By empowering early career researchers and fostering collaboration across disciplines and regions, ASTRO ACCEL aims to drive positive change and innovation in the field of astronomy and its applications.
For media inquiries, please contact Anica Miller Rushing, STEM education research associate, Associated Universities, Inc., at [email protected].
Recent News
Telescope Tag-Team Discovers Galactic Cluster’s Bizarre Secrets
Towards the center of our Milky Way Galaxy, in the constellation Sagittarius, astronomers have discovered 10 monstrous neutron stars. These particular stars, called pulsars, reside together in globular cluster Terzan 5, a crowded home for hundreds of thousands of different types of stars. In one of the most jam-packed places in our Milky Way, many pulsars in Terzan 5 have evolved into bizarre and eccentric forms.
Old Data, New Tricks Discover Pulsar in Galactic Plane
A team of astronomers has found a new tool to discover pulsars, rapidly rotating neutron stars that blast out pulses of radiation at regular intervals ranging from seconds to milliseconds. Named the VLA Low-band Ionosphere and Transient Experiment (VLITE), the tool was made possible by a collaboration between the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.
AUI and the NRAO Announce Recipients of the 2024 NAC Bridge Scholarship Award
In its fourth year, the AUI Board of Trustees NAC Bridge Scholarship Award recognizes the academic accomplishments of National Astronomy Consortium (NAC) alums and assists them in the transition from undergraduate to graduate programs.