Announcement: NOIRLab

11 Noviembre 2024: Together with the other Maunakea Observatories (MKOs), and a collection of STEM organizations, the International Gemini Observatory, funded in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation and operated by NSF NOIRLab, celebrated the annual AstroDay Kona. On Saturday, 2 November 2024, friends and families of all ages were invited to the free event held outdoors at the Kona Commons Shopping Center in Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i. AstroDay Kona provided an estimated 600 visitors with the opportunity to learn about the Universe and the spectacular discoveries made by Gemini and the other telescopes on Maunakea. Like the Annual AstroDay in Hilo each May, this event is led by the University of Hawaii’s Institute for Astronomy. To share the wonders of the cosmos that inspire astronomy research, observatory staff presented the community with special science demonstrations, activities and informative exhibitions, including dozens of free images, hands on optics demonstrations, and exoplanet crafts! More information …

5 Noviembre 2024: More than 1300 students and 80 teachers participated in the activities of Viaje al Universo 2024, which took place from 21–25 October in La Serena and Vicuña in Chile. Viaje is one of NSF NOIRLab’s core educational programs, whose main goal is to bring astronomers, scientists, engineers and the staff of our observatories into the local classrooms. This year’s program included 41 activities implemented in 5 schools of La Serena and Vicuña by a group of 26 volunteers. All the activities of Viaje are aligned with the Chilean educational curriculum in order to provide a tangible contribution to the teaching and learning of science, physics and astronomy in Chile. Teachers and students were excited by all of the engaging activities, which included solar telescope observations, dark sky awareness experience, as well as workshops to learn about the Solar System, the life cycle of stars, galaxies, robotics, and much more. These …

17 Octubre 2024: Between 30 September and 3 October NSF NOIRLab hosted the First Gigayear(s) Conference at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. This conference brought together experts in a variety of fields to discuss the Universe’s first few billion years of evolution, and the galaxies, black holes, stars, chemicals, and large-scale structure that formed during that time. A considerable portion of the conference was also focused on discussions of the historical, geographical, and cultural context surrounding astronomical activities on Maunakea and the interface between the Maunakea Observatories and the local community at large. These discussions were paired with activities throughout the conference that focused on the culture, beauty, and diversity of Hawai‘i. Adding to the ongoing community conversation about these topics, NOIRLab hosted two discussion panels featuring observatory directors and project managers, the director of ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center (‘Imiloa) — the world’s only native astronomy center — and experts in community building and outreach. …

3 Octubre 2024: Have you ever wondered what might happen to our Solar System in a few billion years? The Sun will eventually turn into a white dwarf — a dead remnant of its current self — consuming the inner planets along the way. Some white dwarfs are surrounded by dusty disks containing asteroids, comets, and other remnants of their planetary systems. These disks are excellent laboratories for studying the end stage of planetary systems, providing unique information about the formation and death of planets. To help search for examples of asteroids orbiting white dwarfs in the Milky Way, NSF NOIRLab has launched the Exoasteroids citizen science project. With the help of volunteers, this project is aimed at identifying white dwarfs that have changed in brightness over the past decade. Such fluctuations may indicate that a white dwarf is the remnant of a planetary system still actively destroying its lingering exoasteroids, leading to …

2 Octubre 2024: Multi-messenger astronomy is a powerful new tool for exploring the cosmos that combines the information from multiple types of signals to understand a single astronomical source or event. The four messengers that astronomers study are light, cosmic rays, neutrinos and gravitational waves. Because a source can change rapidly, it’s critical that observations of these messengers occur simultaneously or within a short time span so that astronomers capture their properties before the source changes. However, it’s quite the challenge to coordinate follow-up from multiple optical observatories across the globe — each with its own instruments — while minimizing duplication and maximizing the value of the combined dataset. That’s why the U.S. National Science Foundation has awarded $2 million in funding to the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) and the Center for AstroPhysical Surveys (CAPS), in collaboration with NSF NOIRLab and Las Cumbres Observatory, to build a service that allows researchers …

18 Septiembre 2024: From the early telescopes made hundreds of years ago by Galileo to the sophisticated astronomical observatories of today, people have built increasingly innovative tools to probe and measure the cosmos. Soon, researchers at two new institutes funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Simons Foundation will build a new breed of astronomical tools by harnessing the uniquely powerful abilities of artificial intelligence (AI) to assist and accelerate humanity's understanding of the Universe. The new National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes for astronomical sciences are part of the NSF-led National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes program, which now includes 27 AI institutes across the U.S. The two new institutes, one of which will be jointly led by NSF NOIRLab, will each receive $20 million over five years: $10 million from NSF and $10 million from the Simons Foundation. “The massive amount of data that will be gathered in the coming …

28 Agosto 2024: Just how dark is deep space? In 2021 a team of astronomers, including Tod Lauer of the U.S. National Science Foundation-funded NSF NOIRLab, attempted to answer this long standing question by tapping into the capabilities and distant position of NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft [1], which allowed them to make the most precise, direct measurements ever of the total amount of light the Universe generates. The results surprisingly showed that the Universe was brighter than expected, and the origin of the mysterious ‘extra light’ became the question. Now, thanks to new and improved data from New Horizons, the team [2] has determined that this extra light was actually a consequence of contaminating foreground light. More than 18 years after launch and nine years after its historic exploration of Pluto, New Horizons is more than 7.3 billion kilometers (5.4 billion miles) from Earth, in a region of the Solar System far enough …

7 Agosto 2024: The annual number of publications in peer-reviewed journals using observations from telescopes operated by NOIRLab [1] is among the most important productivity metrics in astronomy, astrophysics and all of science. NSF NOIRLab, which encompasses many of the world’s most powerful and productive telescopes, continues to provide exceptional service to the international astronomical community, leading to impressive representation in peer-reviewed publications. Since 2014 the observatories comprising NOIRLab have seen an overall increasing trend in total publications [2], from 535 refereed publications in the 2014 calendar year [2] to 640 refereed publications in 2023, slightly lower than 2022 [3]. This trend positions NOIRLab in the upper echelon of world-class observatories, alongside the European Southern Observatory and the Hubble Space Telescope. Contributing to the greatest number of total refereed publications in 2023, with 476 (75%), were NOIRLab’s mid-scale observatories (MSO). This metric includes telescopes at NSF Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO) and NSF …

26 Junio 2024: A new research opportunity for U.S. undergraduates will take students all the way to La Serena, Chile. Through mentor-led research projects, hands-on activities and visits to U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) observatories, students will gain experience and skills to help propel their STEM and STEM-related careers. NSF NOIRLab’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Chile program features multiple elements designed to foster careers in STEM. Undergraduate students will have the opportunity to work closely with a NOIRLab research mentor on a research topic at the forefront of astrophysics. Through their project work students will gain experience in the questions, methods, and analysis techniques of professional astrophysics, as well as having the opportunity to report their research at a professional astronomy meeting. The program also includes daytime visits to Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (home of the world-class Víctor M. Blanco 4-meter telescope) and Cerro Pachón (site of the new Vera C. Rubin …

7 Junio 2024: The seventh (June 2024) edition of The NOIRLab Mirror newsletter is now available. This biannual publication focuses on news for the NOIRLab community and showcases the science, technology, and developments across the five NOIRLab Programs: the Community Science and Data Center (CSDC), Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO), the International Gemini Observatory, Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO), and Vera C. Rubin Observatory operations. The June 2024 issue features a collection of science highlights spanning the breadth of NOIRLab facilities and Programs, an illuminating story on the history of the NOIRLab Time Allocation Committee, a look at how NOIRLab’s 4-meter telescopes will conduct future surveys to further constrain measurements of dark energy and dark matter, an overview of the important role that citizen science projects will play in exploring the massive influx of data expected with Vera C. Rubin’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time, a discussion on the impact of NOIRLab’s …

25 Agosto 2023: The number of publications in peer-reviewed journals is among the most important productivity metrics in astronomy, astrophysics, and all of science. NSF’s NOIRLab, which encompasses many of the world’s most powerful and productive telescopes, continues to provide exceptional service to the international astronomical community, leading to impressive representation in peer-reviewed publications. Since 2014 the observatories comprising NOIRLab have seen a steady increase in total publications, from 535 refereed publications in the 2014 calendar year [1] to 703 refereed publications in 2022. This trend positions NOIRLab in the upper echelon of world-class observatories, alongside the European Southern Observatory and the Hubble Space Telescope. Breaking this trend down by Program, the International Gemini Observatory recorded 262 refereed publications in 2022, comprising 170 refereed publications from the Gemini North telescope and 132 from the Gemini South telescope (some publications used both telescopes). Among these publications were highly impactful discoveries, such as Gemini North’s …

23 Junio 2023: NSF’s NOIRLab is excited to announce that public visits will soon restart at our observatories and base facilities in Arizona, Hawai‘i, and Chile. Complete with a new website, revamped guided tours, and even a virtual tours system, probing the secrets of the night sky is now only one click away. Exploring the Universe starts on the ground, with many of our astronomers operating world-class observatories. However, scientists are not the only ones privy to the fruitful discoveries that the cosmos has to offer. With plans to reopen various facilities around the world, NOIRLab is committed to providing the unique experience of being at the forefront of astronomy research. From observing the mechanics of our specially-designed telescopes to learning about the discoveries made with cutting-edge technology, our mission is to educate the general public by bringing these cosmic adventures down to Earth. Our newly launched web page hosts a plethora of …

31 Enero 2023: Catharine Garmany, Scientist Emerita at NSF’s NOIRLab, has been named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Election as an AAAS Fellow is an honor bestowed upon AAAS members by their peers. Garmany was elected as an AAAS Fellow for “distinguished contribution to the study of massive stars, and exemplary astronomical outreach to underserved communities.” The 2022 Fellows class includes 506 scientists, engineers, and innovators spanning 24 scientific disciplines who are being recognized for their scientifically and socially distinguished achievements. The new Fellows will receive a certificate and a gold and blue rosette pin (representing science and engineering, respectively) to commemorate their election and will be celebrated in Washington, D.C., in summer 2023. They will also be featured in the AAAS News & Notes section of Science in February 2023. Garmany said in her AAAS Fellow Statement: “It has been my pleasure and honor to …

15 Noviembre 2021: Janice Lee, a member of the international PHANGS collaboration, has been recognized by the annual HPCwire Readers’ and Editors’ Choice Awards, presented at the 2021 International Conference for High Performance Computing, Networking, Storage, and Analysis in St. Louis, Missouri. The Reader's Choice award for Best Use of High Performance Computing in Physical Sciences was given for work using convolutional neural networks and deep learning in the analysis of the PHANGS-HST Treasury Survey, led by Lee. The associated scientific paper was published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society and describes a proof-of-concept experiment that demonstrates that deep learning can successfully be used for large-scale classification of compact star clusters detected in Hubble Space Telescope (HST) imaging of nearby spiral galaxies. Lee, together with Bradley Whitmore of the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) and Eliu Huerta of the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory, accepted the award on …

26 Agosto 2021: Awarded to an individual or individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the public understanding and appreciation of astronomy, the Astronomical Society of the Pacific’s Klumpke-Roberts Award for 2021 goes to Lars Lindberg Christensen, Head of Communications, Education, and Engagement at NSF’s NOIRLab. The award recognizes Christensen for more than 30 years of bringing science to the public and increasing awareness of the Universe and its role in human understanding. Christensen’s leadership in the field of astronomy communication to the public began with a keen interest in astronomy and a vision for science communication. By spearheading the communication and education of large science organizations, such as the European Space Agency’s Hubble Space Telescope operation, the European Southern Observatory (ESO), and the International Astronomical Union (IAU), along with his efforts in building a global community of astronomy communicators through outreach, technology, and global connections, Christensen has given people the ability to …

12 Mayo 2021: NOIRLab is proud to announce that Joan Najita has been named a 2021–2022 fellow at Harvard Radcliffe Institute, joining an extraordinary group of artists, scientists, scholars, and practitioners who will learn from and inspire one another in a year of discovery and interdisciplinary exchange in Cambridge. As the 2021–2022 Edward, Frances, and Shirley B. Daniels Fellow, Najita will pursue an individual project in a community dedicated to exploration and inquiry. Her work will focus primarily on understanding the diversity and origins of planetary systems: why planetary systems surrounding nearby stars have architectures that differ from that of our own planetary system, the Solar System, and how to understand the new population of distant giant planets whose existence has been inferred from images of their formation environments. “The 2021–2022 fellowship cohort is characterized by intellectual reach, excellence in scholarship, and creativity,” said Radcliffe Dean Tomiko Brown-Nagin, who is also the Daniel …

13 Abril 2021: Arjun Dey, an astronomer at NSF’s NOIRLab, has been awarded a John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship in astronomy & astrophysics for 2021. Guggenheim Fellows are appointed on the basis of past achievement and exceptional promise for future accomplishments. Since 1925 the Guggenheim Memorial Foundation has awarded annual fellowships in the arts and sciences. This year the foundation awarded 184 fellowships from nearly 3000 applicants, but only two are in astronomy and astrophysics. From the Guggenheim announcement: “In all, 49 scholarly disciplines and artistic fields, 73 different academic institutions, 28 states and 2 Canadian provinces are represented in this year’s class of Fellows, who range in age from 31 to 85.” Dey will use the grant to spend time exploring NOIRLab’s existing survey data in search of fast-moving faint stars and using these to investigate the structure of the Milky Way. We congratulate him on this award!

12 Enero 2021: Measurements of the Universe’s darkness performed with NASA’s New Horizons probe reveal an unexplained glow to the Universe. These results are presented at the January 2021 meeting of the American Astronomical Society.[1] NOIRLab’s facilities focus on ground-based astronomy, but NOIRLab scientists also use data from space telescopes to answer their astronomical questions — and sometimes even use space probes designed to visit other planets. A team of astronomers led by NOIRLab scientist Tod Lauer, which included other members of the New Horizons science team and Marc Postman from the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), used the New Horizons spacecraft [2] to answer a fundamental question — how dark is the Universe? “The Universe is dark, but not as dark as we thought,” said Lauer. This measurement — known as the cosmic optical background — is the visible equivalent of the well-known cosmic microwave background. “While the cosmic microwave background tells …

24 Noviembre 2020: Joan Najita of NSF’s NOIRLab has been named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Election as an AAAS Fellow is an honor bestowed upon AAAS members by their peers. Najita was elected as an AAAS Fellow for her distinguished contributions to astrophysics, particularly for theoretical modeling of protoplanetary disks and winds and the applications of these models to observations of young stars. This year 489 members have been awarded this honor by AAAS because of their scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science or its applications. This year’s AAAS Fellows will be formally announced in the AAAS News & Notes section of the journal Science on 27 November 2020. A virtual Fellows Forum — an induction ceremony for the new Fellows — will be held on 13 February 2021. The tradition of AAAS Fellows began in 1874. The AAAS Fellow honor comes with …

15 Abril 2020: Joan Najita from NSF’s NOIRLab, headquartered in Tucson, has been awarded a John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship in astronomy & astrophysics for 2020. Guggenheim Fellows are appointed on the basis of past achievement and exceptional promise for future accomplishments. Since 1925 the Guggenheim Memorial Foundation has awarded annual Fellowships in the arts and sciences: this year they awarded 173 Fellowships, but only two in astronomy and astrophysics. From the Guggenheim webpage: “Joan has a broad range of research interests, including planets beyond the Solar System, low mass stars and brown dwarfs, the structure and origin of our galaxy, the Milky Way, massively multiplexed wide-field spectroscopy, the nature of discovery in astronomy and its science sociology and resource allocation practices. She is actively engaged in communicating science to the public and has a lifelong interest in the power of science to inspire and in the role of science in society.” We congratulate …