Department of Astronomy

South Africa's MeerKAT peers deep into the Universe - UVA Grad Student Allison Matthews continues to work on this project to learn more about star formation. Learn more about her work here: http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/South_Africas_MeerKAT_peers_deep_into_...

A group of astronomers, including Craig Sarazin from U.Va., have made the first high-resolution, high-frequency radio map of the Moon.  The image, at a radio frequency of 90 GHz, was made with the MUSTANG2 camera on the Green Bank Telescope, the world’s largest steerable telescope.  At this radio frequency, the image shows heat radiation form the lunar surface, and brighter regions are hotter.   The image shows many of the same features as seen in more familiar optical images.  However, because temperature variations across the lunar surface are smaller than the variations

Nitya Kallivayalil, an associate professor in Astronomy, has been award a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). This is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers who are beginning their independent research careers and show exceptional promise for leadership in science and technology.  Nitya was nominated by the National Science Foundation.  The award was announced in a press release from the White House. The press release can be found here:

Friday | July 12 | 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. | FREE
Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11's moon landing at Light House Studio/Vinegar Hill Theatre. Enjoy a special screening from the new PBS American Experience series,Chasing the Moon, followed by a panel discussion with distinguished experts that represent the past, present and future of space research and exploration. This event is free, but registration is required.