Astronomy and Astrophysics

NSF awards $52M to upgrade Simons Observatory in Chile to explore origins of universe

Improvements include improved receiver, solar panels to power the observatory and data processing pipeline

Erik Shirokoff, astronomer who built instruments to map the universe, 1979-2023

Known as a generous and patient mentor and teacher, Shirokoff was a faculty member in the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics and a senior member of the Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics, focusing on studying the evolution of the universe and the formation of stars and galaxies.

Scientists release newly accurate map of all the matter in the universe

Analysis combines Dark Energy Survey, South Pole Telescope data to understand evolution of universe

Many planets could have atmospheres rich in helium, study finds

Study suggests answer to “radius valley” mystery in the field of exoplanet studies