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.
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Now Accepting Applications for 2023 Astronomy in Chile Educator Ambassadors Program
Photo Credit: David Falkner, ACEAP 2020 Ambassador
Applications are now being accepted for the 2023 Astronomy in Chile Educator Ambassadors Program (ACEAP).
This program, in its eighth year, brings amateur astronomers, planetarium personnel, and formal and informal astronomy educators to U.S.-funded astronomy observatories in Chile. While there, ambassadors receive behind-the-scenes tours of some of the world’s most productive and advanced telescopes, including in-depth information on their instruments and discoveries. Prior to the ACEAP Expedition, participants engage in professional development activities designed to improve STEM communication and education.
This unique professional development experience has become known for:
- Providing unique access to facilities and people, and the astronomy ecosystem,
- Bringing together people with diverse backgrounds and skills from both formal and informal education communities,
- Investing in the Ambassadors: activities don’t stop at the end of the expedition or year of involvement,
- Creating a network that continues to branch out and engage in innovative activities,
- Providing a creative space for participants to interact.
Anyone, including international participants, may apply for five positions that are fully supported by their institution and/or personal funding. The remaining slots are restricted to U.S. citizens and permanent residents or Chilean residents who are amateur astronomers, K through college formal and informal educators who teach astronomy as part of their curriculum or program, planetarium educators, or those working in the area of astronomy communications.
Ten ambassadors will be selected for the northern hemisphere summer 2024 Expedition with specific travel dates TBD. This ten-day expedition (not including travel time between the U.S. and Chile) will include stops at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO), Gemini-South Observatory, Rubin Observatory, and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA).
In addition to the professional facilities, ACEAP ambassadors will visit smaller amateur/public observatories. Weather permitting, nighttime observing opportunities will be made available.
To learn more about the program and to apply, visit the ACEAP website or Facebook page. The deadline for applications is 11:59 p.m. (applicant’s local time), 30 April 2023.
Contact: Yasmin Catricheo at [email protected] or Tim Spuck at [email protected]
ACEAP is a collaborative project of Associated Universities, Inc., the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), and NSF’s National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory including Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, Gemini Observatory, and The NSF Vera C. Rubin Observatory. ACEAP was initially funded in 2015 as a two-year pilot program by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Due to its success, a combination of institution, personal, and NSF funding have allowed the program to continue.
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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.