An international team of astronomers used ALMA to capture high-resolution images of eight protoplanetary disks in the Sigma Orionis cluster, which is irradiated by intense ultraviolet light from a massive nearby star. To their surprise, they found evidence of gaps and rings in most of the disks—structures commonly associated with the formation of giant planets, like Jupiter.
Recent News
Astronomers Discover New Building Blocks for Complex Organic Matter
There should be a lot of carbon in space, but surprisingly, it’s not always easy to find. While it can be observed in many places, it doesn’t add up to the volume astronomers would expect to see. The discovery of a new, complex molecule (1-cyanopyrene), challenges these expectations, about where the building blocks for carbon are found, and how they evolve.
Massive Stars Born from Violent Cosmic Collapse
An international team of astronomers has observed evidence that massive stars can be born from rapidly collapsing clouds of gas and dust, challenging long-held assumptions about star formation.
AUI to Present at 243rd AAS Conference
Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) will attend the 243rd meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) in New Orleans from Jan. 7-11, 2024. Staff will deliver eight presentations on various astronomy topics, including education and professional development, accessibility, Indigenous-non-Indigenous collaboration and collaboration across disciplines. The full schedule is as follows:
Sunday, January 7
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. CST, Location TBD
Inclusive Astronomy Education: Bridging Gaps for Diverse Learners (Splinter Session)
Monday, January 8
10:00 a.m. CST, Room 214
Cosmovisions of the Pacific: Advancing Indigenous-non-Indigenous Collaboration with Integrity (Oral Presentation)
Monday, January 8
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. CST, Location TBD
NEREID: Bridging Disciplines, Fostering Collaboration, and Advancing Earth-Space Research and Education, Session: Community and Profession (Oral Presentation)
Monday, January 8
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. CST, Room 214
Astronomy for a Better World (Special Session)
Monday, January 8
5:30 p.m. CST, Hall B-1/B-2
ACEAP – The Chile Expedition for Astronomy Educators and Outreach Professionals (iPoster)
Tuesday, January 9
11:30 a.m. CST, Theater Stage, Exhibit Hall
Women and Girls in Astronomy Program – Five Project leaders will present their initiatives (Theater Presentation)
Tuesday, January 9
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. CST, Hall B-1/B-2
Empowering a Network of Today’s Leaders: The Women and Girls in Astronomy Program (Poster Session)
Wednesday, January 10
2:20 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. CST, Location TBD
Enhancing Astronomy Engagement and Accessibility: Research Insights from the Big Astronomy Project, Session: Enhancing Learning Experience in Astronomy Courses (Oral Presentation)
Please note: locations and times are subject to change. Refer to the official AAS block schedule for the latest information.
Conference attendees are encouraged to visit booth 202A1 in the Exhibit Hall to learn about the latest discoveries and initiatives at AUI and its managed facilities, including the National Radio Astronomy Observatory and Green Bank Observatory.
AUI is a proud sponsor of the 243rd AAS meeting.
Recent News
ALMA Reveals Planets Can Form Under Harsh Radiation
An international team of astronomers used ALMA to capture high-resolution images of eight protoplanetary disks in the Sigma Orionis cluster, which is irradiated by intense ultraviolet light from a massive nearby star. To their surprise, they found evidence of gaps and rings in most of the disks—structures commonly associated with the formation of giant planets, like Jupiter.
Astronomers Discover New Building Blocks for Complex Organic Matter
There should be a lot of carbon in space, but surprisingly, it’s not always easy to find. While it can be observed in many places, it doesn’t add up to the volume astronomers would expect to see. The discovery of a new, complex molecule (1-cyanopyrene), challenges these expectations, about where the building blocks for carbon are found, and how they evolve.
Massive Stars Born from Violent Cosmic Collapse
An international team of astronomers has observed evidence that massive stars can be born from rapidly collapsing clouds of gas and dust, challenging long-held assumptions about star formation.