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.
Recent News
Young Stars in the Milky Way’s Backyard Challenge Our Understanding of How They Form
Astronomers have made groundbreaking discoveries about young star formation in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), along with observations from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). The study, published in The Astrophysical Journal, gives new insight into the early stages of massive star formation outside our galaxy.
Astronomers Catch Unprecedented Features at Brink of Active Black Hole
International teams of astronomers monitoring a supermassive black hole in the heart of a distant galaxy have detected features never seen before using data from NASA missions and other facilities including the National Science Foundation (NSF) National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NSF NRAO) Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA). The features include the launch of a plasma jet moving at nearly one-third the speed of light and unusual, rapid X-ray fluctuations likely arising from near the very edge of the black hole.
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
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.
Young Stars in the Milky Way’s Backyard Challenge Our Understanding of How They Form
Astronomers have made groundbreaking discoveries about young star formation in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), along with observations from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). The study, published in The Astrophysical Journal, gives new insight into the early stages of massive star formation outside our galaxy.
Astronomers Catch Unprecedented Features at Brink of Active Black Hole
International teams of astronomers monitoring a supermassive black hole in the heart of a distant galaxy have detected features never seen before using data from NASA missions and other facilities including the National Science Foundation (NSF) National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NSF NRAO) Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA). The features include the launch of a plasma jet moving at nearly one-third the speed of light and unusual, rapid X-ray fluctuations likely arising from near the very edge of the black hole.