Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy’s Post

https://lnkd.in/dC2fV-dW New blog on navigating the cosmos; the role of advanced technologies in modern astronomy. Do read it now by clicking on this link! For more blogs, check out here- https://lnkd.in/enG64dWD

Impact and Cause of Sensitivity Ripple in Radio Astronomy Reflector Antennas Reflector antenna systems are often used in radio astronomy. This is because reflectors are highly directive antennas, which allows for high sensitivity. In many radio astronomy projects, they are used in an array format to increase the sensitivity and resolution of the system. Sensitivity is a primary figure of merit for radio astronomy and often has a frequency ripple, which is ignored in the design of the reflector system. Modelling this ripple is computationally expensive and requires more storage. However, not modelling the ripple leads to a decrease in accuracy. To provide future designers of reflector systems for radio astronomy with some guidelines on how to effectively include or ignore the ripple effects in their designs, Dr William Cerfonteyn, under supervision of Professor Dirk de Villiers, studied the cause, effect, and implications of this sensitivity frequency ripple for his doctoral dissertation. Read more https://lnkd.in/d9DJ9e3q #ReflectorAntenna #RadioaAstronomy #SensitivityRipple

Are you getting our news updates? This month we feature #RCSAFellows, #Scialog, and #CottrellScholars news, plus a look back at two catalytic investments in major telescope projects that have helped advance modern astronomy. Join our email list!

U.N.'s Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) has agreed to address concerns about the impact of satellite constellations on Earth-based astronomy. The committee has added an agenda item titled “Dark and quiet skies, astronomy and large constellations: addressing emerging issues and challenges” to its meetings from 2025 to 2029. This move will enable COPUOS to discuss the emerging issues and challenges related to the disruption of Earth-based astronomy caused by satellite constellations. Stay tuned for more updates on this emerging challenge. #UN #COPUOS #Astronomy #SatelliteConstellations #DarkAndQuietSkies

Multi-messenger (photons, neutrinos, cosmic rays, gravitational waves) astronomy aims to combine the information from more than one of these signals to give researchers a deeper understanding of some of the most extreme events in the Universe

It's with great pleasure that we bring to the limelight the great men and women who have been part of the story and journey of PACS e-Lab for almost four years of its existence. They represent the group leaders helping to recruit and train participants in our projects. We want to thank these people for believing in PACS e-Lab and partnering with us to spread hands-on astronomy and soft astronomy research all over Africa. They are truly the best of the best in Africa when it comes to astronomy research, education, and outreach. Statistics: - Countries: 45 - Groups: 70+ - Number of citizen astronomers: 691+ Here we use A, B, and C to clarify the groups: - A = 15: Corresponds to entities such as national space agencies, national astronomical societies, national observatories, and other national entities or representations. - B = 25: Represents university groups. - C = 30: Units are secondary schools and private organizations. For more information about our community participation, check our About page: https://lnkd.in/dd6zKapx

You don't want to miss this interview with Yuko Kakazu, Ph.D. of TMT International Observatory LLC and the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. Ahead of her plenary presentation at #SPIEastro on 17 June, she spoke about community engagement and creating an inclusive future for astronomy. “My primary job is to listen to and learn from the community, and to co-create education, outreach, and workforce development programs together with Hawaiʻi communities to build a brighter future for the next generation." Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gC6uc-ZS

Hey there, it's #PhoFoFriday! New devices used in telecommunications have interesting applications in astronomy. Arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) boosts data capacity in optical fibers used in communications and is also being applied in astronomy for spectroscopic purposes. Read more in the latest issue of #PhotonicsFocus: https://lnkd.in/gpuJPZ66

Our paper, detailing the history and development of PACS e-Lab, an astronomy citizen science platform, is now available on the arXiv archive hosted by Cornell University. You can read it as we work towards getting it published in a peer-reviewed journal. #citizenscience #astronomy

We are running two astronomy nights this year with Midlands Astronomy Club in Lough Boora as these nights are so popular. On this second night, we have the chance to look up at the night's sky with amazing telescopes and will a special guest. We will be joined by Dr John Elliot of the SETI Post Detection Hub which is based at St Andrew's University. SETI is the international project which is searching for extra-terristerial life and the post detection hub which is planning for what we will do if we discover we are not alone in the cosmos ?! Interest has risen considerably recently, due to the detection of thousands of planets around distant stars in our own galaxy and, closer to home, through the exploration of nearby worlds such as Mars and Venus, looking for signs of life, present or past. The potential discovery of microbial life will likely raise different types of concern that would follow the discovery of intelligent life – we are as yet entirely unprepared as a species for the latter. The time is thus right for consideration of humanity’s response – and responsibility – following the detection of both life and intelligence in the Cosmos. Come along for some amazing star-gazing in Lough Boora and hear a little about what we might do if ET calls us :) #scienceweek #staycurious #believeinscience #astronomy https://lnkd.in/dgUBVP5s