High-energy transient signals are most often determined to be gamma-ray burst events, but the recently-launched Einstein Probe has expanded astronomers’ ability to quickly respond to similar signals occurring at X-ray wavelengths. Now, a multi-wavelength study of EP240408a concludes that while many of the signal’s characteristics might lead to the conclusion that it is a gamma-ray burst, the non-detection at radio wavelengths precludes that possibility.
Recent News
Students Contribute to New Understanding of ‘Twinkling’ Pulsars
The flexible observing setup of the Green Bank Observatory’s 20-meter telescope enabled frequent, long-duration observations of eight pulsars, spanning two and a half years for a student-driven study carried out by students in the Pulsar Science Collaboratory program.
Double the Disks, Double the Discovery: New Insights into Planet Formation in DF Tau
Tucked away in a star-forming region in the Taurus constellation, a pair of circling stars are displaying some unexpected differences in the circumstellar disks of dust and gas that surround them. A new study led by researchers at Lowell Observatory, combining data from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and Keck Observatory, has unveiled intriguing findings about planet formation in this binary star system, known as DF Tau, along with other systems in this region.
AUI held “Bring Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day”
AUI held its first “Bring Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day” on April 26, 2018. Parents and children were greeted with an assortment of cereal, pastries and fruits to start the day in a way that many parents cannot. “It is nice to sit and have breakfast with the kids during the week”, said AUI Administrative Specialist, Bernice Montero, who brought her three daughters. “Usually we are out of the house so early, we can’t sit and eat together”.
The day was filled with Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) activities that were as entertaining as they were educational. A parent/child painting activity started the day’s programming. “I really enjoyed painting with my kids” said Assistant Grants/Contracts Administrator, Shannon Wright, “I think I’m going to buy some supplies and paint more often at home.”
Learning stations throughout the office allowed parents to move from one activity to another with their child. Lego engineering stations were a popular attraction for both the children and the parents. The children conducted density experiments and made predictions on which objects float. They gained a sense of perspective while they created a scaled measurement of our solar system using only bathroom tissue and a marker. Many children received their first introduction to chemistry while making slime. “I enjoyed making the slime,” said Alicia Joyce-Barrera, daughter of Bernice Montero, “I could see becoming a chemist someday.”
Some of the most popular events were the “Science of Cotton Candy” and the “Edible Earth Activity” which required each child to recreate the geologic layers of Earth symbolized by edible products like Oreos, pudding, and chocolate rocks. On a healthier note, the “Grapefruit Saturn” activity gave the children an opportunity to construct a scale model of Saturn and its rings.
The day ended with fresh popped popcorn and the movies Big Hero Six and Hidden Figures. Luther Lau, AUI CFO, was excited to see the children participate in science based activities, alongside their parents. “It is important to stimulate minds at a young age especially in the field of science.” AUI’s mission is to make scientific breakthroughs possible; what better way than to start at home.
Recent News
NSF VLA Contributes Crucial Puzzle Piece to ‘Peculiar’ High Energy Transient
High-energy transient signals are most often determined to be gamma-ray burst events, but the recently-launched Einstein Probe has expanded astronomers’ ability to quickly respond to similar signals occurring at X-ray wavelengths. Now, a multi-wavelength study of EP240408a concludes that while many of the signal’s characteristics might lead to the conclusion that it is a gamma-ray burst, the non-detection at radio wavelengths precludes that possibility.
Students Contribute to New Understanding of ‘Twinkling’ Pulsars
The flexible observing setup of the Green Bank Observatory’s 20-meter telescope enabled frequent, long-duration observations of eight pulsars, spanning two and a half years for a student-driven study carried out by students in the Pulsar Science Collaboratory program.
Double the Disks, Double the Discovery: New Insights into Planet Formation in DF Tau
Tucked away in a star-forming region in the Taurus constellation, a pair of circling stars are displaying some unexpected differences in the circumstellar disks of dust and gas that surround them. A new study led by researchers at Lowell Observatory, combining data from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and Keck Observatory, has unveiled intriguing findings about planet formation in this binary star system, known as DF Tau, along with other systems in this region.